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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 · 15 stages, 14 scored
Events
Events
Events
Events
Events
Events
Two stabilised approach gates, each with six checks at 1,000 ft and 500 ft above the runway.
The approach, gate by gate
Side view — the last 1,524 m of the approach.
Plan view — the first 1,524 m of the 2,682 m runway, to the same scale as the side view.
The 433 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 22 at 24S Pinehurst State Airport. The aircraft, a VL-3 915, accelerated down the runway and lifted off at a speed of 77 kt, covering 207 m or 24% of the runway. The local weather conditions at the time of takeoff were characterized by a temperature of 16 °C and a wind speed of 2 kt from 270°, resulting in a headwind of 2 kt and a crosswind of 1 kt.
As the aircraft climbed away from the airport, it began its enroute climb, which started overhead the airport. The aircraft ascended from an initial altitude of 3,810 ft above sea level to a maximum altitude of 5,873 ft, a gain of 2,063 ft in just 4 minutes, covering a distance of 8 nm. The climb was followed by an enroute descent, which began 1 mile northeast of 31BA DOCILF Barrons Ranch. The aircraft descended from 6,005 ft asl to 2,298 ft asl, a decrease of 3,707 ft in 3 minutes, also covering a distance of 8 nm.
The enroute level cruise phase of the flight started 1 mile north of Ashland and lasted for 4 minutes, during which the aircraft covered a distance of 7 nm. The final approach to runway 32 at KMFR Rogue Valley International Medford Airport was made from the southeast, with the aircraft heading 339.0° at an altitude of 825 ft above ground level and a distance of 4 nm from the runway threshold.
The landing on runway 32 was characterized by a threshold speed that was excessively high at 70 kt, but the touchdown distance was good at 431 m, and the touchdown speed of 50 kt was fast. However, the touchdown rate was smooth at -101 fpm. The runway touchdown position was slightly misaligned from the centreline by 3.2 m. The local weather conditions at the time of landing were similar to those at takeoff, with a temperature of 15 °C and a wind speed of 2 kt from 270°, resulting in a headwind of 1 kt and a crosswind of 2 kt.
The total landing distance was 856 m, which accounted for 32% of the runway length. The runway rollout alignment was very good, indicating a smooth and controlled descent. The taxiing to the parking area from the runway took 7 minutes and covered a distance of less than 1 nm. The total flight distance was 27 nm, and the flight duration was 18 minutes, during which the aircraft used 5 kg of fuel.
The aircraft, VL-3 915, successfully landed at KMFR Rogue Valley International Medford Airport, achieving a score of 93.5%. The final approach was conducted from the southeast, heading 339.0° at 4 nautical miles and 825 feet above ground level (agl). The aircraft touched down on runway 32, which has a length of 2,682 meters.
The threshold height was reported as good, but the threshold speed was excessively high at 70 knots. This indicates that the pilot may have been able to improve their approach by reducing their speed before touchdown. The touchdown distance was good, measuring 431 meters, and the touchdown speed was 50 knots, which was slightly faster than ideal. However, the touchdown rate was smooth, at -101 feet per minute (fpm), indicating a controlled descent.
The runway touchdown position was slightly misaligned from the centerline by 3.2 meters, which may have been due to a slight deviation in the pilot's approach. The local weather conditions were favorable, with a temperature of 15°C and a light wind of 2 knots at 270°. The crosswind was minimal at 2 knots, and the headwind was 1 knot, which helped to stabilize the aircraft during the approach.
The total landing distance was 856 meters, which is 32% of the runway length. This is a relatively short distance, indicating a good landing performance. The runway rollout alignment was very good, showing that the pilot was able to maintain control of the aircraft during the rollout phase.
Overall, the landing was successful, but there is room for improvement in terms of reducing the threshold speed and touchdown speed. The pilot's ability to maintain a smooth touchdown rate and good runway rollout alignment is commendable, and with further practice, they can refine their skills to achieve an even higher score.
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