An LPC Preparation Example for Airbus Pilots

An LPC preparation example should feel like a disciplined rehearsal, not a last-minute test of memory. For an Airbus pilot returning to recurrent checking, a session in a realistic A320 cockpit provides the space to rebuild flows, practise failure management and make decisions under pressure - without the cost and consequence of getting it wrong on check day.

The aim is not to predict every item that may appear in an LPC. It is to arrive current on the foundations: correct handling, standard operating procedures, automation discipline, communication and the calm prioritisation of an abnormal situation. When the workload rises, those foundations are what keep the flight under control.

What an LPC preparation example should include

An LPC is a formal proficiency assessment conducted within an approved training and checking environment. A preparation session is different. It is an opportunity to identify rust, repeat demanding manoeuvres and work through the areas that deserve more attention before an official check.

For Airbus pilots, that often means returning to the rhythm of the aircraft. From the first power-up and cockpit preparation, every action should have a purpose. The pilot should be able to explain what the aircraft is doing, what mode is active and what comes next, rather than simply following familiar prompts.

A useful session usually begins with a short briefing. Establish the pilot’s recent experience, the likely check profile, any previous weak areas and the level of support required. A pilot who has flown regularly may want an intensive technical workout. A returning pilot may gain more from pausing between exercises to revisit procedures and rebuild confidence.

At Simulator Adventures, the full replica Airbus A320 cockpit, genuine Airbus sidesticks, 6-axis motion platform and 220-degree HD visual system make that practice more than a desktop exercise. The environment gives pilots meaningful visual, handling and workload cues while an instructor can adjust the pace around the pilot’s objectives.

A practical LPC preparation example

Consider a pilot preparing for a recurrent A320 LPC after several months away from line flying. The session might be planned around a short sector, with the focus on standard operation before progressively introducing higher workload.

Start with the normal operation

Begin at the gate or on stand with a complete cockpit preparation. The pilot should set up the flight deck methodically, conduct the required checks and establish a clear division of duties if practising as a crew. Take time here. Errors in configuration, briefing structure or flight management set-up can reveal where recency has faded before the aircraft even moves.

The departure should include a properly delivered take-off briefing, accurate use of the flight control unit and an active monitoring scan. After lift-off, practise the relationship between flight path, thrust, guidance modes and the flight mode annunciator. Airbus automation rewards pilots who stay ahead of the aircraft. It punishes pilots who merely notice a mode change after it has created a problem.

A clean normal departure also creates a benchmark. Before adding failures, the pilot needs to demonstrate stable handling, sensible call-outs, correct use of standard operating procedures and a clear grasp of the aircraft’s energy state.

Introduce an engine failure after take-off

Once the aircraft is established in the climb, an engine failure after V1 is a demanding but valuable exercise. The first priority is simple: fly the aeroplane. Maintain directional control, follow the correct flight guidance, manage the climb and avoid rushing into diagnosis while the aircraft is still close to the ground.

The pilot should then recognise the failure, work through the relevant memory actions and use the electronic checklist in the correct order. A good instructor will not just assess whether the right switches are selected. They will listen for crew coordination, watch for distractions and check that the pilot maintains a safe flight path throughout.

This is where preparation earns its value. A pilot may know the procedure when sitting quietly with a manual, yet struggle to retrieve it while managing asymmetric thrust, radio calls, terrain and a changing flight profile. Repetition in a high-fidelity simulator helps turn knowledge into an operational response.

Fly an approach with limited automation

After the immediate failure is contained, the next test is workload management. Set up for an approach with carefully chosen automation limitations, such as a degraded autopilot strategy or increased reliance on raw data. The exact scenario should reflect the pilot’s needs and the procedures relevant to their operation.

The objective is not to make the approach artificially difficult. It is to confirm that the pilot can maintain a stable, briefed and properly monitored arrival when the easiest option is no longer available. That includes selecting sensible levels of automation, setting appropriate targets, managing speed and recognising early when an approach no longer meets stabilised criteria.

A go-around is often worth practising here. It is a positive safety decision, not a failure of flying skill. The pilot should apply thrust, establish the correct flight path, confirm the correct guidance and communicate clearly before returning to a manageable workload.

Finish with a low-visibility or asymmetric landing

For the final exercise, fly an approach that calls for precision rather than drama. Depending on the pilot’s current requirements, this could be a low-visibility ILS, an asymmetric landing or a go-around followed by a second approach.

Use the motion platform and wide visual scene to practise the visual transition, directional control and flare judgement. In an A320, the details matter: accurate pitch control, energy awareness, crosswind technique and a stable rollout. The instructor can freeze, reposition or repeat the final stages when a particular element needs focused practice.

What to practise between scenarios

An effective session is not a string of failures. The strongest preparation often happens in the quieter moments between them. Revisit the briefings. Ask what the aircraft was doing when the failure occurred. Check whether the correct mode was identified, whether the correct checklist discipline was used and whether the pilot tried to solve too much too soon.

For pilots operating in multi-crew environments, communication deserves the same attention as handling. A technically correct action delivered without a clear call-out can still create confusion. Practise task sharing, challenge-and-response items, radio priorities and the moment when one pilot explicitly takes control of the flight path while the other manages the problem.

It also helps to practise saying, “Stand by.” A rushed response is rarely a strong response. Creating a brief period to stabilise the aircraft, assess the situation and allocate tasks is often the difference between a controlled exercise and a cascade of avoidable errors.

Use the simulator for honest feedback

The value of an LPC preparation session depends on honest debriefing. Ask direct questions after each scenario. Was the flight path protected? Were the correct Airbus modes understood? Did the crew follow their procedures, or did they improvise because they felt pressured? Was the approach stable, and was the decision to continue or go around properly justified?

A good debrief should identify one or two priorities to repeat, not bury the pilot under every small imperfection. If raw-data scanning is weak, practise that. If the pilot is slow to identify flight guidance modes, reset and run the departure again. If engine-out handling is sound but checklist flow is hesitant, isolate that part of the exercise.

There is a trade-off in how hard to make the session. A demanding sequence can expose weaknesses quickly, but an overloaded pilot may learn little if every exercise becomes chaotic. For a pilot returning after a long break, start with familiarisation and standard procedures before introducing complex failures. For a current pilot with an imminent check, use realistic tempo and make the debrief concise and precise.

Preparation is not an approved check

A non-approved simulator session can be highly valuable for practice, but it does not replace an LPC conducted by an appropriately approved operator, training organisation or examiner. Requirements vary according to licence, operator, aircraft type and regulatory framework. Pilots should confirm their formal checking requirements through the appropriate channels.

That distinction does not reduce the benefit of preparation. It gives the session a clear purpose: arrive at the official event sharper, calmer and more familiar with the workload. You can make errors, repeat the difficult parts and ask questions before the pressure of assessment is added.

The best final run is not necessarily flawless. It is the one where the pilot recognises the problem early, protects the aircraft, uses the crew and procedures properly, and makes a sound decision. That is the standard worth rehearsing before you take command for real.