When to descend? Real Airbus Pilot Explains! Microsoft Flight Simulator Tutorial

A lot of people have asked how to work out when you should start your descent. Today we take a look in both Microsoft Flight Simulator and X Plane 11!
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I am a real world Airbus pilot with thousands of hours flying the real aircraft and thought it would be fun to have a look at the new detailed simulation of the longest baby 'bus by Toliss as well as the new MSFS a320 NEO. Hopefully you find this useful and it brings another perspective to your simulation. Any thoughts or comments are welcome!
This video is intended for home entertainment only and does not reflect or represent any real world aircraft or airline procedures. It is for home flight simulator enthusiasts only and has no real world application. All views expressed are my own.
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Intro Music by Fly24: • Distance Too Far.

[@aaryanramourti3081]

I swear you are reading my mind, this is the second time you have uploaded exactly what I wanted, love your videos, keep up the good work !

[@fher182]

same thing happened to me. are you reading my mind because i just asked the same thing

[@320SimPilot]

Perfect! Luck and timing, hopefully I can keep the uploads working for you!

[@omartaha3052]

Same here

[@johnlloyd5184]

Thank you for another superb video, I have learnt so much from your tutorials, please keep them coming. can I ask, do you use head tracking.

[@welfversson]

Same thing really but I find the 3degree V/S calculation easier with GS x 5 😀

[@hjr2000]

Who else hits 'like' on 320's videos before they've even seen them? Just gets it out of the way, you know it's going to happen.

[@Sanderkke]

Yes me! This guy is awesome. Every video again. Perfect voice, accent and content. Just awesome. He deserves so much more subscribers then he has. Hopes he keeps on truckin' video's on to KZbin!

[@RicciReyes]

What do we want? Descend! When do we want it? Now! (10 ft above the runway) I'll just float instead.. :D

[@timurakhmadaliev7739]

Default ATC in MSFS would freak out, if pilot would decent without their permission. Is it a case in real life too?

[@kaladrian]

You would likely lose you license if you made a habit out of it.

[@hpharold23]

You can request ATC for Alt change, but it only goes up to 10,000 then you can keep reducing it.

[@johnsonof9]

It was definitely worth 25 minutes of my time learning when to descent as a 737 pilot. Thank you very much for this video! ❤

[@enriquebisetti9563]

oh boy!!!, I was just looking for this kind of videos!!! this one fell from heaven!!!. thanks!!! cheers!

[@BMWK75Rider]

How about ATC instructions? Just ignore them? In MSFS they don’t seem very accurate...

[@HaMeRpOwER4]

I do because it makes you descent at 30 degrees...

[@dayanand1190]

Thanks a lot for all your efforts towards these educational videos! Enterntaining as well. Newbie question: Should we explicitly initiate the descent or a320 will initiate descent automatically at the T/D point? Should the target altitude be the first altituide constraint or DH, so that a320 will automatically hold the constraints? If its the first altitude constraint that we initiate to, what should be the next altitude we should select? (second constraint or DH?). Thanks in advance.

[@320SimPilot]

Hi, thanks for the kind words! You will need to initiate descent yourself. Select the target altitude you want to go to and then either pull or push the altitude knob to start the descent. There is no need to set the DH. Please see this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/n3WyhXSAi8mIlaM

[@dayanand1190]

@@320SimPilot Thanks! You are awesome. Giving back to community like this is highly appreciated!

[@Dennis92NL]

The ATC in MFS2020 seems bugged when it comes to decending. Thanks for another video. This is the best channel when it comes to Airbus A320.

[@fher182]

are you reading my mind? Yesterday I was looking for a Top of descend video and was wondering, when is 320sim pilot is going to release a video about it?.... thank you for this video, you are definitely making my flight sim learning easy!

[@320SimPilot]

Really glad the videos help you Angel! Thanks for watching.

[@dominiquez5643]

Master class again on "how to" A320!!! This is my go to channel, thank you for the clarity and simplicity to explain cryptic concepts to us Sir!!

[@andreyzaruba8571]

That's cool but why don't just devide GS on 5 to calculate the 3-degree vertical speed instead of deviding it on 2 and then multiplying it on 10? What is the reason?

[@320SimPilot]

Great question, for me it is easier to divide by two and add a zero but your method would work absolutely fine too!

[@TopDealTravel]

Great video again. I hope the FlyByWire Team will also make it possible to fly holding patterns. I can add a holding in the MCDU but it does not appear on the ND yet. It would be another way to reduce altitude.

[@kikiwade5427]

Download latest dev version. Distance countdown works. Thank for another great video

[@320SimPilot]

Thanks for the tip! And thanks for watching.

[@alexmccabe1948]

Excellent video. I fly on a citation and usually I do ground speed X 5 which is also equal to ground speed divided by 2 X 10. Then I divide altitude to lose by descent rate to get time. And then multiply miles per minute by the time to descend to get my track miles. A bit more complicated and in busy situations I just use the 3 miles per 1,000 foot rule. Our FMS is very old so we use a Garmin 790 to give us a rough descent profile.

[@michaelcheung6290]

I love your videos! Can I descend without the instructions from ATC? I had experience that ATC asked me to descend but the time was not sufficient for me to do the approach correctly. Thanks!

[@SasukeUchiha-ks3rz]

Nah u don’t need to listen to act always

[@michaelcheung6290]

@@SasukeUchiha-ks3rz really? But isn't it true that you need clearance in real life?

[@yannisl8259]

Would you recommend the toliss a319 or a321?

[@smoothflying]

A321 :)

[@yannisl8259]

@@smoothflying thx

[@fsce8599]

they are essentially the same- just the a319 is shorter and the a321 is quite a bit longer

[@NielsC68]

Yes. 😊

[@SaurabhKumar-hr7fn]

Can we use speed brake even when at Green Dot speed while descending? I see the VLS jumps at that moment

[@320SimPilot]

Great question! On the real aircraft VLS will increase too. You can use speedbrake but must be careful not to let VLS go above your speed, so just use less speedbrake or increase your speed if possible! Thanks for watching.

[@gcdevicegc6103]

HI! I believe A320 from Aerosoft (fro FSX , P3D) got everything on display as in real aeroplane ! have you tried ?

[@roblabbe629]

Mixing 2 Sims does not appear appropriate for a "tutorial". It would be different if it was in writing .

[@Retro_Jet_Elite]

For descent rate, you could also use (Speed x 5). For instance, the method of (400 kts / 2 x 10) is the same answer as 400 x 5. Great vid!

[@320SimPilot]

Thanks, glad you liked it! My brain works more easily when doing the x10/2 method but absolutely x5 works just as well!

[@thelocksmith4553]

Thanks these are the the most amazing tutorials I’ve ever seen and they’ve really helped me get used to an Airbus coming from the 737 on X-Plane

[@SuperOrbit69]

Xplane 11 Toliss user here. Does the calculated TD point take into account programmed descent winds? If not, then why do they need to be entered. If so, then we don’t need to make correction for wind in TD point calculation, we can rely on the TD point calculation and just verify/monitor what the autopilot is doing in descent, in terms of the calculations described. Thanks.

[@320SimPilot]

Yes in the ToLiss it does, as long as they were input by either the user or the ACARS. Typically in this case the T/D is pretty accurate and you can just monitor, but don't get caught out by reduced track miles (cutting the corner) or likewise an arrival all coded at 3000ft when actually you will be able to fly it higher. Thanks for watching!

[@PilotongHilaw]

I just want to ask capt, when you applied flaps. what was the level of Knots & Altitude?

[@ronaldolivas5486]

320 Sim, Sir, could you please help me understand the data on the flight plan page ?...I get the FL### for flight level, but what of the other numbers ? I know on approach the names and descending altitudes are listed........ many thanks

[@Fly54791]

Hello A320 sim Pilot why didnt you use VS speed on FCU to change the ROD instead you have increased speed ?

[@320SimPilot]

Great question! If we use OP DES and increase the speed, the aeroplane will descend faster to try and reach that speed, but when it reaches it it will pitch up and maintain the speed. If we set a high V/S to descend, the speed will accelerate and the aeroplane could overspeed as it will target the V/S. I hope this makes sense!

[@Fly54791]

@@320SimPilot thanks for the reply, I am planning to start my A320 TR soon. Your videos are really helpful

[@CaribbeanSimPilot]

Will it level off automatically at each altitude restriction on the way down

[@shyamsundar3264]

Well this explains for flybywire. What about other aircrafts? How to calculate for example cessna g1000?

[@dacallp]

I did this today and even calculated the wind (I had a tailwind of 20 kts so I added 2 trackmiles to the descent), I descend using an open descend, kept the speed at 280 until 11000 feet, then (still in idle thrust) went to 250 kts at 10k feet, and then descended further down. But for some reason, I came in way too early and when I was coming in on 5k feet I still had 33 nautical miles to go. I would be so happy for an answer because I was so happy that I finally knew how to properly descend, but then it didn't work! PS: Yes, I did also subtract the height of the runway into the descend path

[@ibnaas7447]

I think that the altitude 33000 feet divided by 3 to find minimum descent distance - 330 ÷ 3 = 110NM 110NM Is the min descent Not multiply 33×3 = 99NM❌❌❌

[@Matt-jv6iy]

Very good video, but when I want to descend I try click the same as you, but it didn’t work, I try to hold, click it’s don’t work, any help please!

[@A_youtube_channel_]

But doesn't atc tell you when to descend? My waypoints in the flight computer tell me what altitude I should be at but atc tells me otherwise. Also STAR charts display altitudes. How do I decide when to descend if there are so many different scources?

[@-thefalcon-]

Ooh ooh will that 3° math work on a rnav approach? Definitely going to try it!!

[@cleonlusbo231]

Bro the push and pull of the knob, where can I find the setting? I got msfs just yesterday but I cannot push and pull the airplane knobs. Please help

[@ThatsJustEric]

Learned so much from this video. All the questions I e had was answered in this one video

[@KevAng039]

“It is not intended for real world use” Great, so this doesn’t help qualify me for flying a real plane. Guess I’ll stick to the sim. 😀

[@zpirateko2129]

i usually frantically watch a tutorial on how to descend, get everything wrong and then nosedive from 20,000ft instead

[@Robin-bk2lm]

Strange. Why doesn't your NX wobble like mine? Have you run into that problem and fixed it? Thx

[@Robin-bk2lm]

Never mind. Mine stopped doing it today!

[@320SimPilot]

I have been very lucky and not had this bug happen much to me! Thanks for watching.

[@Denzao-D]

In real life atc will descend you. Are you playibg without atc?

[@ddthompson42]

Most of the aircraft level off if you change the speed during descent in the sim; I was wondering if that's what happens in real life. Question answered. Thanks!

[@320SimPilot]

You are very welcome!

[@JohnLeeShaw]

Thank you very much for this and all the time you put into these videos, they are a great source of information for simmers like me. I wanted to ask, have you tried doing a flight with the default ATC in MSFS2020? I have noticed that you use Vatsim in some videos, but I was just wondering if you've tried the default and how you found it? I ask because I find descending with the default ATC a real pain (almost impossible to do without needing therapy afterwards) and am interested to know if it's because it is their problem or mine. It does seem a little buggy though. For instance, I was flying from Liverpool to Edinburgh, with FL250 cruise altitude and the ATC actually sent me up to FL260 before asking me to descend. Also, it's always doing things like instructing a descent to say 6000 early on and then something like 16000 (while on the way to 6000), then down in steps. It's such a shame because I don't really want to use ATC add ons, I just want to fly with a modicum of realism, but it's looking increasingly like I might have to?

[@michaelcheung6290]

Same here

[@tonys2683]

Mate great advice for a new player to MSFS2020, after watching this video, I did hands down the best approach and landing I have ever done on my flight from Bangkok to Phnom Penh in the A320N. Thanks ...

[@320SimPilot]

Glad it helped Tony, thanks for watching!

[@abracadabra544]

Thanks a lot for this video. You are clearing things up a lot for me, especially because you're always doing comparisons with the real-life aircraft. So is my understanding correct that there is no automatic descend in the A320 Neo. For example, is it capable to start descending on its own and at a steady rate in order to comply with the flight plan ? later edit: thinking about the x3 rule etc. But how do you handle more complex scenarios, where for example there's a mountain range in your descend path ?

[@320SimPilot]

The Airbus does have an automated 'VNAV' mode we call 'managed descent'. It is not yet included in the Flybywire A32NX. Hopefully this video I made can help: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oaelgop8edKKgsU

[@Aviationlove2593]

Just a doubt, why did we take extra 10nm?

[@320SimPilot]

The extra 10nm we use to slow down. Remember our true airspeed in the cruise can be 400 plus knots!

[@Aviationlove2593]

@@320SimPilot so is this 10nm a rough figure? Like forexample I could he decending at 290KIAS, or 275KIAS, how shall I calculate how many nm should I add up for a full Idlethrus-CDA?

[@hapysaly7910]

Great video. Are the feet and nautical miles different?

[@TangodownNZ]

To see this information I will need to use a real professional simulator called X Plane

[@-Wreckanize-]

I dont understand, doesn't the A320 have Vnav as in the 737?

[@frap9965]

But what if the atc tell me to maintain alt at 10000 for example. Because i swear the atc is not that good in that game

[@ModdedMusic]

should i listen to atc, they keep telling me to go on vor and take me off my fp

[@DeanArnold1066]

Does the airbus not have top of decent like the Boeing??

[@urhoholm9856]

When do i put the plane to landing speed or what do i do? please answer

[@retrokid62]

when you say "miles", do you mean NM or regular miles?

[@rareslucabotezatu4162]

Can i get the flybywire version on Xbox?

[@MrMK2001]

Incredible tuition. Thank you. Us armchair pilots are eternally grateful.

[@320SimPilot]

Glad you enjoyed it Mikey!

[@brunogt1982]

Is A320 neo fly by wire available on xbox?

[@hugoweber5317]

Hello Cpt! Thnks againg for sharing your kwnolege and making our sim as real as it gets! At 3:30 you show PERF page with 287 knots por DESCEND profile. I aways get 331 knots for FF A320 and man she dives fast. I suppose that 331 is NOT a reasonable value right? If so, what would be a reasonable range? Does this value change depending on something? Btw, I set 55 for cost index.

[@320SimPilot]

Hi Hugo! 331 is possible but I would prefer a slower speed in case turbulence or wind changes cause a small overspeed. Typically we descend in the 270/300kt range, try using a lower cost index, that should help! Thanks for watching!

[@EdilarinProducts]

I've never used the x3 way of calculating. I've always used the /3 way of calculating. So for this it would have been 330/3 = 110 miles. A good thumb rule is to add 1 runmile for every 10 knots you need to lose in speed aswell.

[@nick_leitch]

I’m assuming you just got that from watching captain joes video lol

[@EdilarinProducts]

@@nick_leitch yes and no. We use that at the airline I work at

[@RoddickProduction]

Too give room for slowing down is it always +10?

[@SaurabhKumar-hr7fn]

Can you explain why a heavy aircraft takes more time to descend compared to a lighter one?

[@ricardoroberto100]

I assume it's to do with speed management and not going outside the narrow envelope.

[@salokin1]

More energy to "dump" ??

[@samsheppard5434]

In your opinion and experience, which is better for the A320 realism... MSFS20 or XP11?

[@CaptainJadenAR]

If I was him, I would pick XP11.

[@fibecheee]

This channel is a hidden gem I swear

[@ratflail215]

Is 3 degrees for passenger comfort?

[@320SimPilot]

It is a good angle where we can descend with idle thrust whilst also not accelerating!

[@ratflail215]

@@320SimPilot Yeah, makes sense.

[@Vormelon]

So when do you press the approach button?

[@Pelesys_a320]

I always do that take the distance to touchdown times 3 = more or less my altitude. Some pilots descend at 300 KTS some at 270 kts. In this case take distance times 3 then minus whatever speed you have for example you are descending at 280 KTS. Take your distance times 3 and subtract from from your result 3. Because 280 kts is close to 300 kts. If you are descending at 270 kts do the same thing but in this case subtract 2 coz 270 is close to 250 kts. Then when I’m approaching 10000 feet the distance gotta be 40 NM and speed is obviously 250 kts (IAS). Then golden rules for me are 20 NM = 5000 ft. (Of course you’re not gonna fly 250 kts at this latitude unless ATC says so. 15 NM = 4500 ft and speed is gonna be 210 kts or green dot or flaps 1 coz SOP says flaps 1 has to be minimum at 15 NM.

[@The747Captain]

Very useful for me as an EASA ATPL student! Thank you veru much!

[@mikebakkeyt]

Heeeellllllllpppppp (Love the channel and *have* watched this and many other videos often) I am having a nightmare with flying the LAM approach to ILS 09L at EGLL. In general honestly I find managing descents tricky at best as the nx behaviour seems inconsistent. One day I'll think managed descent is working well, then it won't so I go selected and that sits at 700fpm and I end up throwing VS at it. Bring on VNAV puhlease :-) Ok - 9L. Looking at the plate we basically come in at 7000 over LAM and drop to 6000 by D34.0 which is perfectly achievable. But - we then need to go to 3500 by GWC 39.0. Now - using the times 3 rule we need at least 7.5nm but it seems to me we have at best around 6. On top of this the AP turns early and cuts corners all the way round the square of this approach. We then need to step down through 3000 to 2500 by the FAF at RW -7.5 Every time I end up behind the curve and arrive above the GS which means it will not acquire even though I'm not hugely over. My only way to make it is to approach the terminal stage below the posted constraints or extend east before turning back , neither of which I like doing. I guess my question is - how do you do it because that will work :-)

[@beatchildproductions]

In real world, Is it not the controller who tells you when to begin decent? If so, how do they know when TOD is?

[@HOTMiSCHiEF1]

These are a little long winded, but I am becoming a better A320 pilot. They now call me Mr. Bumpy Landing! And thanks for recommending the FlybyWire MOD. It is SOOOO GOOOD! The sound effects are worth it alone.

[@dudenda757]

So, about that tail/head wind. Is there a specific formula or calculation for it? For example if I am at FL 290 and have a heavy tail wind of lets say 98 should I descend sooner for more time to slow down and if so, when? 29X3=97+10+ 107. Should it be more like 117 instead to allow more time to slow down?

[@calvindo82]

Faster way to know if you’re on a 3 degrees descend is just select track/fpa...

[@320SimPilot]

Sadly it does not yet work in MSFS but hopefully soon!

[@nitram419]

@@320SimPilot I was scratching my head, thinking why doesn't he just dial the FPA knob to -3 degrees descent path! :-)

[@ro4526]

Hi,, I have a question. I mean once we have estimated when we should descend based on 3:1 rule, adding wind component distance as well, then how do we deal with the fact that our descent rate will no more be the same as we get lower and closer to FAF for instance. I mean let's say we initiated initial selected descent at 2300 ft/min ( GS 460knots), how can we srill assume we'll descend at this rate when we 're lower and that GS will probably be around 350 knots ( 1750 feet/min'). Can the plane still descend at the initial rate we did set in the mcdu?Or does that rule alteady account for the fact that we'll have a lower GS anyway?

[@RuhjedVentula]

i use the VOR frequency (RAD NAV) for the airport to know my distance from it :)

[@simonforrister3820]

Thanks for the video @320 Sim Pilot. Is another way to do this to select vertical speed until the magenta hockey stick appears where you want it? Obviously not in MSFS yet but is that an option in the ToLiss? I tend to use this when I fly the Aerosoft Extended version in FSX when encountering late descent clearances from ATC (vatsim), or for a more gentler profile. Please keep the Videos coming. Always look forward to how the professionals do it, and the comparisons to the real thing is so useful - when many of us Simmers are desperate for a study-level Airbus. FBW still doing a great job.

[@antuan734]

Where do you get that VFR Map?

[@paulobatista9105]

Thank you for your videos, from a ship Captain who loves Flight Simulation.

[@320SimPilot]

Thank you for watching and your comment Paulo! I'm a big fan of ships and sailing too, if only there was a good simulator out there!

[@paulobatista9105]

@@320SimPilot My compliments. Look forward to see your video about the go around and its procedures.

[@thp_]

I don't understand why you said add 10 after you multiplied it by 3? What was the 10 for?

[@cole7695]

to slow down

[@mensolable]

Hi, I try this procedure with A32NX, both stable and developer version, and open descent button simply doesn't react at all. What release of A32NX have you used for this video? Thank you very much

[@seb9148]

How are you heights correct in the mcdu, mine are all over the place... From cruise flight to 8000 then back to 17000 and back to 8000 in only 5 miles for example

[@ianwinkler5562]

If we want to make the flight as realistic as possible, should we follow or ignore the default ATC?

[@CaptainJadenAR]

We should.

[@cristiancatana1991]

Why do you need to divide GS by 2 and then times by 10 to find a roughly 3degrees glidepath, when you just can times by GSx5?!or its just a rule?

[@willswain4073]

Since getting msfs ive realised just how much goes into flying!! This is just scratching the surface too! Really helpful video! I also love planes but im always anxious when flying but the more i learn about them and how they function, the more relaxed i feel! Nice to know theres a lot more to it than simply pressing autopilot 😂

[@ESPirits87]

I play the simulator very Arcade like and i think it's fun, meddling with all the buttons is just inconvenient when you just want to fly, i start to descend with 130 km left for a slow smooth descent, and i do so just by looking at the runway, using custom paths is meeh.

[@didartorbayi4635]

How can I text to you please?

[@jacobwarren1498]

YAY NEW VIDEO!

[@rythmflow1727]

mate you need some more practise

[@CactusBravo42]

An you descend using ATC?

[@SpaceDad42]

I use the same techniques where I work and I usually add 1 nm per each 10kt tailwind or subtract 1nm for each 10kt head wind. Works well.

[@Thehoeh]

Have never played X-PLANE but it does look somewhat better than MSFS?

[@damgreene]

Have you seen FBW's new Xmas livery?

[@320SimPilot]

It is featured in my new video, RNAV tutorial! Thanks for watching

[@Stan-ug9mx]

saw your video, installed the flybywire mod...it's much louder in the cockpit now than before. Guess that's how it is in a real airbus, but I will keep it. Very good tutorial video....and I'll get used to increased cockpit noise. thank you

[@andyleofly]

Who else has a problem with the a320 mod on startup? The PFD doesn't show but if I start the aircraft at the runway it shows fine. Thanks!

[@embrj1453]

This is what i've taken so far, you spend more time managing the FMCU than actually flying this airplane..

[@JoergA74]

In real live, can the pilot decide on his own when to start a decent, or does he need to request it from ATC?

[@henrih3080]

For a IFR Flight you need to get the explicit permission to start the descent. You are normally on the center frequency at the cruising altitude. Later you will change to the approach frequency of the arrival airport and even later to the tower frequence. But I´m not a real pilot. Not 100% about this.

[@brunob.1216]

@@henrih3080 You are right ! But that doesnt answer Jorg's question :) @Jörg Ahrens : It's up to the pilot to decide when to ask the ATC to descend. But sometimes the ATC asks you before you do, depending on the traffic he has to manage.

[@al3xuk]

I always seem to get this wrong, either floating down the runway (Go around) or to fast and hard

[@m_swizzy22]

Probably too high angle of attack, then you add power to not slam into ground and you end up having a floater. Or you are just approaching without managing the speed(you literally have an auto throttle, which holds your approach speed, so I do not understand how) and you are not flaring before touching down. That’s how I see it, I’m a student pilot the biggest thing I flew so far is a twin engine DA 42 Twin Star, and I have those moments too, you just need to manage the speed, and the AoA.

[@al3xuk]

@@m_swizzy22 thanks for the tip, I'll give that a try.

[@PilotongHilaw]

thanks captain for your video. i need to learn how to decent and also in landing.

[@MK-hz8du]

From experience do you tend to guess what to expect from ATC for directs? And when it’s best to ask?

[@CaptainJadenAR]

Sir, I have a doubt. I am not sure if you comment here. But will the ATC give the desired altitude to descend?

[@dillonrock4528]

I'm having autopilot problems, is anyone else, not working, even with out the airbus mod