Events
Events
Events
Events
Events
Events
Events
Events
Events
Events
Events
Events
MY FS FLIGHTS
Flight Score
Shorten the long landing
Ground effect becomes significant below about one wingspan of height. A Cessna 172, with a 36 ft span, enters ground effect at flare height - the float it feels in the hold-off is ground effect arriving on cue. An A320, with a span around 117 ft, has been in ground effect since before the threshold and there is no sudden cushion to feel, only a gradual reduction in induced drag that lengthens any float you allow.
Read more in Flare TimingStart to finish · 20 stages, 18 scored
Events
Events
Events
Events
Events
Events
Events
Events
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: five checks where the approach path is 500 ft above the runway. The 1,000 ft gate was not assessed, because the approach did not join final that far out.
Side view — the last 1,570 m of the approach.
Plan view — the first 1,570 m of the 2,803 m runway, to the same scale as the side view.
Touched down 1,002 m past the threshold — beyond the full-score zone. The arrival was smooth.
The rest of the report
The flight in the Airbus A320 Neo began with a quick 3-minute taxi from the parking area to the runway at KSEA Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The departure took place on runway 34R, with a takeoff distance of 1,202 meters, covering 33% of the runway. The liftoff speed was 144 knots. Local weather conditions at the time of departure included a temperature of 13°C and a 6-knot wind coming from 166°, resulting in a 2-knot crosswind and a 6-knot tailwind.
The enroute climb started overhead Riverton, Washington, climbing from 1,034 feet above sea level to 12,846 feet in a span of 5 minutes, covering a distance of 22 nautical miles. The aircraft then leveled off for a cruise segment, which began 2 miles northwest of Poulsbo, Washington, lasting 9 minutes and covering 50 nm.
The descent phase of the flight began 1 mile south of CKR Crane Island Airstrip in Crane Island, Washington, with the aircraft descending from 12,758 feet above sea level to 3,397 feet in 9 minutes, covering 42 nm. Another short cruise segment followed, starting 11 miles south of Gibsons in British Columbia, Canada, lasting 4 minutes and covering 7 nm.
For the landing at CYVR Vancouver International Airport on runway 08L, with a runway length of 2,803 meters, the aircraft approached at a height of 56 feet above ground level and a speed of 143 knots. The touchdown occurred 1,004 meters from the runway threshold, at a speed of 142 knots, and a vertical speed indicator reading of -161 feet per minute. Local weather conditions at the time of landing included a temperature of 10°C and a 24-knot wind coming from 110°, resulting in a 4-knot crosswind and a 23-knot headwind. The total landing distance covered was 1,488 meters, representing 53% of the runway.
Following the landing, a 2-minute taxi brought the aircraft from the runway to the parking area, covering less than 1 nm. The total flight distance for the journey was 131 nm, lasting 45 minutes and consuming 1,472 kg of fuel.
First and foremost, I want to commend the pilot for exemplary performance during the Approach Phase of the aircraft landing. Maintaining excellent glideslope alignment is crucial for a safe and smooth landing, and it is impressive that this was achieved. Additionally, having the speed slightly above target exhibits good control and awareness of the aircraft's approach.
Moving on to the Landing Phase, it is important to note that while the threshold height was slightly above target, improvement in the landing flare is necessary. A proper landing flare is essential for a smooth touchdown and to minimize the risk of a hard landing or bounce. I encourage focusing on this aspect during future landings to enhance overall performance.
In the Touchdown Phase, the touchdown rate was good, and the speed was a little above target. However, the touchdown point being 585 meters beyond the touchdown zone is a point of concern. It is essential to strive for touchdown accuracy within the designated zone to ensure safe and efficient landing. Additionally, the runway touchdown position being 9.3 meters from the centerline indicates the need for improvement in aligning the aircraft more precisely during this phase.
Finally, during the Rollout Phase, the runway alignment being 10.1 meters from the centerline suggests the need for better alignment control during the rollout process. Consistent practice and focus on aligning the aircraft properly with the centerline will aid in achieving a more precise rollout phase.
Overall, while there are areas for improvement, it is clear that the pilot demonstrated competency in various aspects of the landing procedure. By focusing on refining the landing flare, touchdown accuracy, and runway alignment, the pilot can continue to enhance their skills and aim for even higher landing scores in the future. Keep up the good work and continue striving for excellence in each phase of the landing process.
Scroll or drag the slider to zoom · double-click to reset · hover for values