Events
Events
Events
Events
Events
MY FS FLIGHTS
Flight Score
Know your rotation speed
A typical trainer rotates in the mid-50s of knots - a 172 at around 55 KIAS, climbing out at a Vy in the low 70s, though check your own POH rather than memorising Cessna's numbers - and the transferable rule is that Vr sits just above the stall speed in takeoff configuration. Rotate early because "it felt ready" and the aircraft lifts off inside ground effect, where induced drag is reduced, then climbs out of it into more drag. On a marginal-performance day the result is an aircraft that lifts off and then refuses to climb, sagging back towards the runway.
Read more in Improve Your Take-OffsStart to finish · 14 stages, 14 scored
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 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.
The approach, gate by gate
Side view — the last 827 m of the approach.
Plan view — the full 827 m runway, to the same scale as the side view.
The 35 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 28 at KCDW Essex County Airport. The aircraft, a Cessna Skyhawk, required a takeoff distance of 35 meters, which was 4% of the runway length. The liftoff speed was achieved at 42 knots. At the time of departure, the local weather conditions were characterized by a temperature of 31 degrees Celsius and a wind speed of 4 knots from a direction of 300 degrees. This resulted in a crosswind of 2 knots and a headwind of 3 knots.
As the aircraft entered the right-hand pattern, it did so from runway 28 at KCDW Essex County Airport. The entry was completed in less than 1 nautical mile in 10 seconds. The right-hand pattern crosswind was also navigated, taking approximately 28 seconds to cover a distance of less than 1 nautical mile. The pattern downwind turn was executed with a distance of 1 nautical mile and an angle to the runway of 65.4 degrees. The downwind leg itself covered a distance of 2 nautical miles in 72 seconds.
The base leg turn was completed with a distance of 2 nautical miles and an angle to the runway of 27.6 degrees. The base leg itself was navigated in less than 1 nautical mile in 12 seconds. The final turn was also executed in less than 1 nautical mile in 28 seconds. The final approach to runway 28 at KCDW Essex County Airport was made from the east, with a heading of 264.0 degrees at 1 nautical mile and 469 feet above ground level.
The landing on runway 28 at KCDW Essex County Airport was successful, with a touchdown distance of 33 meters. The touchdown speed was 38 knots, which was considered good. However, the touchdown rate was fair at -216 feet per minute. The runway touchdown alignment was perfect. The local weather conditions remained the same, with a temperature of 31 degrees Celsius and a wind speed of 4 knots from a direction of 300 degrees.
The total flight distance was 6 nautical miles, which was completed in 4 minutes. The aircraft used 1 kilogram of fuel during the flight. Overall, the flight was executed smoothly, with good control and navigation throughout.
The Cessna Skyhawk successfully landed at KCDW Essex County Airport, achieving a score of 94.6%. The aircraft approached the runway from the east, heading 264.0° at 1 nm and 469 ft above ground level (agl). The pilot demonstrated good control and precision during the final approach, ensuring a smooth and safe landing.
Upon landing, the aircraft touched down on the runway at a distance of 33 meters, which is considered good. The touchdown speed of 38 kt was also within the acceptable range, indicating that the pilot maintained control and avoided stalling the aircraft. However, the touchdown rate of -216 fpm was only fair, suggesting that the pilot could have managed the descent more efficiently.
The runway touchdown alignment was perfect, indicating that the pilot successfully aligned the aircraft with the runway centerline. The local weather conditions at the time of landing were favorable, with a temperature of 31°C and a gentle headwind of 3 kt. The crosswind component was minimal at 2 kt, which further contributed to the smooth landing.
The pilot's attention to detail and adherence to standard operating procedures were evident in the landing, as the threshold speed was well below the target, indicating that the pilot was cautious and aware of the aircraft's performance. Overall, the landing was successful, and the pilot demonstrated good skills and judgment in navigating the aircraft to a safe touchdown.
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