Events
Events
MY FS FLIGHTS
Flight Score
Improve the pattern base leg
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 · 14 stages, 13 scored
Events
Events
One stabilised approach gate for a circuit: six checks at the point nearest 500 ft above the runway after the base turn. The 1,000 ft gate is an instrument-approach check and does not apply.
The approach, gate by gate
Side view — the last 1,524 m of the approach.
Plan view — the first 1,524 m of the 1,786 m runway, to the same scale as the side view.
The 328 m touchdown sits inside the full-score zone. The arrival was smooth.
The rest of the report
Departing from Cotswold Airport (EGBP), the Sirius aircraft began its takeoff roll on runway 26, accelerating to a liftoff speed of 59 kt in a distance of 233 m, which accounted for 14% of the available runway length. The local weather conditions were characterized by a temperature of 15 °C and a gentle headwind of 1 kt from a direction of 269 °, resulting in a negligible crosswind component.
As the aircraft entered the left-hand traffic pattern, it demonstrated a swift and efficient turn, completing the pattern entry in less than 1 nm in 46 seconds. The subsequent crosswind turn was executed in a similarly short distance of less than 1 nm in 26 seconds. The downwind leg, which spanned a distance of 2 nm, was flown at an angle of 69.4 ° to the runway, while the base leg turn, also 2 nm in distance, was executed at an angle of 40.5 °. The final approach to runway 26 was made from the east, with the aircraft maintaining a heading of 257.0 ° at an altitude of 197 ft above ground level (agl) and a distance of 0 nm from the threshold.
The landing was executed smoothly, with the aircraft touching down on the runway at a speed of 47 kt and a distance of 327 m, which was well within the available runway length of 1,618 m. The touchdown rate was a perfect -8 fpm, and the runway touchdown alignment was spot on. The total flight distance of 8 nm was completed in 7 minutes, with a fuel consumption of 1 kg. The Sirius aircraft demonstrated a high degree of proficiency and control throughout the flight, with all phases of the operation executed efficiently and safely.
The final approach to runway 26 at EGBP Cotswold Airport from the east was executed with precision, with the aircraft aligning with the runway heading of 257.0° at 0 nm and 197 ft above ground level. The approach quality was excellent, with a good threshold height and a threshold speed of 57 kt, well within the acceptable range. As the aircraft descended onto the runway, it touched down at a distance of 327 m, a respectable figure considering the runway length of 1,618 m. The touchdown speed of 47 kt was also within the desired parameters, and the touchdown rate of -8 fpm was perfect, indicating a smooth and controlled landing.
Upon touchdown, the aircraft maintained perfect centerline alignment, a testament to the pilot's skill and attention to detail. The rollout phase was also executed smoothly, with the aircraft coming to a stop without any issues. The local weather conditions, with a temperature of 15 °C and a gentle headwind of 1 kt, contributed to a stable and predictable approach. The crosswind component was negligible, at 0 kt, further reducing the complexity of the approach.
The overall performance of the aircraft, Sirius, was outstanding, with a final score of 97.7%. This exceptional score reflects the pilot's expertise and the aircraft's capabilities, making for a safe and successful landing. The combination of good approach quality, precise touchdown, and smooth rollout phases all contributed to this impressive score, demonstrating the high level of proficiency achieved by the pilot and the aircraft.
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