Circling Approach tricks in the simulator.
A candidate is failed on an instrument rating test in the B737 simulator because he overshot the extended centreline while turning to final. Due to the limitations of field of view on the visual display screen, the runway does not appear until half way around the turn to final.
The testing officer explained that the candidate should have used FMC fixes and waypoints and distance circles on MAP mode to navigate on instruments around the circling approach path with the manoeuvre being flown heads down on instruments rather than by looking outside. In other words to overcome the limitation of the forward view from the simulator, the candidate was expected to use "tricks" in order to position for a stable final approach. In fact,some years ago one airline operator arranged for lights to be placed at various spots on the simulator visual display downwind and base to enable accurate turning points for the conduct of the circling approach.
It doesn't help that low cloud and poor visibility is fed into circling approach exercises in the simulator when already the pilot has his plate full with being unable to visually circle with the airport in sight because of screen viewing limitations. It is often easier to fly a circling approach in the real aircraft than in a simulator. At least you can look over the shoulder to keep the real runway in sight.
It is surely beyond comprehension to allow an examiner to fail a candidate on the visual circling approach manoeuvre when the visual display limitations of a simulator means resorting to gimmicks and tricks with the FMC. In real life a candidate could be rightly criticised for NOT keeping the runway in sight - yet there is no criticism of the heads down on instruments policy in the simulator.