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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 · 12 stages, 10 scored
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The threshold, the flare and the hold-off. The approach that led to it is the stabilisation gates below.
One stabilised approach gate: seven 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. These checks are the approach's score.
The approach, gate by gate
Side view — the last 1,524 m of the approach.
Plan view — the first 1,524 m of the 2,529 m runway, to the same scale as the side view.
Touched down 530 m past the threshold — beyond the full-score zone. The arrival was smooth.
The rest of the report
Departing from SBFZ Pinto Martins International Airport in Fortaleza, Brazil, the Airbus A320 began its takeoff roll on runway 31. The aircraft accelerated down the 2,530-meter runway, reaching a liftoff speed of 158 knots in a distance of 869 meters, which accounted for 34% of the available runway length. The local weather conditions at the time of departure were characterized by a temperature of 16°C and a light headwind of 1 knot from a direction of 269°.
As the aircraft climbed away from the airport, it transitioned into an enroute climb, ascending from an initial altitude of 1,061 feet above sea level to a cruising altitude of 604 feet above sea level. This climb phase covered a distance of 8 nautical miles and took approximately 3 minutes to complete, resulting in an increase of 457 feet in altitude. The aircraft then began its final approach to runway 31, descending from an altitude of 513 feet above ground level and aligning itself with the runway at a heading of 286.0°. The landing was executed with a threshold speed of 119 knots, and the touchdown point was located 108 meters beyond the touchdown zone, with a touchdown speed of 108 knots and a rate of descent of -181 feet per minute.
The landing distance of 1,330 meters accounted for 53% of the available runway length, and the runway rollout alignment was perfect. Following the landing, the aircraft taxied to the parking area in less than 1 minute, covering a distance of less than 1 nautical mile. The total flight distance was 11 nautical miles, and the flight utilized a fuel consumption of -9 kilograms. The aircraft's performance during the flight was characterized by good threshold height, touchdown speed, and touchdown rate, indicating a smooth and controlled landing.
The aircraft, an Airbus A320, successfully completed a final approach to runway 31 at SBFZ Pinto Martins International Airport from the east, aligning with the heading of 286.0° at 1 nautical mile and 513 feet above ground level. The approach quality was excellent, with a good threshold height and a threshold speed of 119 knots, well within the acceptable range. As the aircraft descended onto the runway, it touched down 108 meters beyond the touchdown zone, with a touchdown speed of 108 knots, which was also within the acceptable limits. The touchdown rate of -181 feet per minute was good, indicating a controlled and stable descent.
The runway touchdown alignment was perfect, with the aircraft centered on the runway centerline. The local weather conditions, with a temperature of 20°C and a wind of 3 knots at 221°, contributed to a relatively calm and stable environment for the landing. The crosswind component was minimal at 3 knots, while the headwind component was 1 knot, which had a negligible effect on the aircraft's performance. The total landing distance of 1,330 meters was 53% of the runway length, indicating a relatively short landing distance.
The rollout phase was also executed flawlessly, with the aircraft maintaining perfect alignment with the runway centerline. The overall performance of the aircraft and the crew was impressive, with a final score of 97.7%. The landing was a testament to the crew's skill and experience, as well as the aircraft's capabilities. The successful landing was a result of a well-executed approach, a controlled touchdown, and a smooth rollout, all of which contributed to a safe and efficient operation.
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