Events
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MY FS FLIGHTS
Flight Score
Improve the pattern base leg turn
Bank angle in the pattern is conventionally kept to 20 to 30 degrees, and the base-to-final turn is where that convention earns its keep. Stall speed rises with bank because the wing must produce more lift in a turn. Roughly 7 per cent higher at 30 degrees, about 19 per cent at 45, and around 40 per cent at 60. At 65 kt on base you don't have much margin to spend steepening a turn to salvage an overshoot.
Read more in Pattern WorkStart to finish · 16 stages, 14 scored
Events
Events
Events
Events
The threshold, the flare and the hold-off. The approach that led to it is the stabilisation gates below.
One stabilised approach gate for a circuit: five checks where the approach path is 500 ft above the runway. The 1,000 ft gate is an instrument-approach check and does not apply.
Side view — the last 1,524 m of the approach.
Plan view — the first 1,524 m of the 1,814 m runway, to the same scale as the side view.
The 469 m touchdown sits inside the full-score zone. The arrival was smooth.
The rest of the report
The flight began with a departure roll from runway 23 at EGPE Inverness Airport, where the aircraft, a Piper PA-24-250 Comanche, successfully took off after covering a distance of 205 meters, which accounted for 11% of the runway. The liftoff speed was recorded at 66 knots. At the time of takeoff, the local weather conditions were characterized by a temperature of 15 degrees Celsius and a wind speed of 2 knots at 270 degrees, resulting in a crosswind of 1 knot and a headwind of 2 knots.
As the aircraft entered the right-hand pattern from runway 23, it covered a distance of 2 nautical miles in 23 seconds. The subsequent right-hand pattern crosswind maneuver was completed in less than 1 nautical mile in 10 seconds. The pattern downwind turn involved a distance of 3 nautical miles, with an angle to the runway of 45 degrees and a turn angle of 30.3 degrees. The downwind leg itself covered a distance of 3 nautical miles in 86 seconds.
The pattern base leg turn required a distance of 2 nautical miles, with an angle to the runway of 45 degrees and a turn angle of 82.3 degrees. The base leg covered a distance of less than 1 nautical mile in 10 seconds. The final turn, which preceded the final approach, covered a distance of 2 nautical miles in 102 seconds.
The final approach to runway 23 was made from the north-east, with a heading of 230 degrees at an altitude of 98 feet above ground level (agl) and a distance of 0 nautical miles from the runway. The landing on runway 23 was successful, with a threshold height that was considered good. The threshold speed was slightly above the target speed of 72 knots.
The touchdown distance was recorded at 466 meters, which was considered good, and the touchdown speed was 42 knots, also considered good. The touchdown rate was excellent at -51 feet per minute (fpm). The runway touchdown alignment was perfect, and the local weather conditions at the time of landing were characterized by a temperature of 15 degrees Celsius and a wind speed of 4 knots at 270 degrees, resulting in a crosswind of 3 knots and a headwind of 3 knots.
The total landing distance was 702 meters, which accounted for 39% of the runway. The runway rollout alignment was also perfect. The total flight distance was 13 nautical miles, which was covered in 8 minutes, and the aircraft used 5 kilograms of fuel during the flight.
The Piper PA-24-250 Comanche successfully landed at EGPE Inverness Airport, showcasing exceptional piloting skills. The aircraft approached the runway from the north east, heading 230.0° at 0 nm and 98 ft above ground level (agl), demonstrating precise navigation and control.
Upon reaching the runway, the pilot executed a smooth touchdown, with the threshold speed slightly above the target at 72 kt. This minor deviation from the ideal speed did not compromise the overall performance of the landing. The touchdown distance of 466 m was well within acceptable limits, indicating a controlled and stable approach.
The touchdown speed of 42 kt was also satisfactory, and the touchdown rate of -51 fpm was excellent, signifying a gentle and controlled descent. The runway touchdown alignment was perfect, showcasing the pilot's ability to maintain a stable and aligned approach.
The local weather conditions at the time of landing were favorable, with a temperature of 15 °C and a gentle wind of 4 kt at 270°. The crosswind and headwind components were minimal, at 3 kt each, which did not pose any significant challenges to the pilot.
The total landing distance of 702 m was 39% of the runway length, indicating a controlled and efficient use of the available runway space. The runway rollout alignment was also perfect, demonstrating the pilot's ability to maintain control and stability throughout the landing process.
Overall, this landing was a testament to the pilot's skill and experience, as well as the aircraft's performance capabilities. The successful execution of the landing, despite a slightly above-target threshold speed, highlights the pilot's ability to adapt and respond to minor deviations from the ideal approach.
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