As presented it sounds unreasonable, but did the pilot fail to correct the turn when visual? I have seen (and flown
) many sim circlings where the last bit has been screwed up when visual. I cannot see how failing to apply an artificial fudge for inadequate equipment could otherwise cause a fail. Was there more to it?
The exercise is even more difficult when circling from 'the other seat' when you sometimes will not see the runway until after the half-way point.