Events
Events
Events
Events
MY FS FLIGHTS
Flight Score
Keep the approach speed on target
Every knot above Vref is stored kinetic energy, and energy stored at the threshold must be dissipated in ground effect before the aeroplane will stop flying. Because kinetic energy scales with the square of speed, the excess you must dissipate grows fast. At a 45-knot approach, five knots hot is over a tenth more speed and roughly a quarter more energy to get rid of in ground effect. This is why the fix is never in the flare. It was decided three miles earlier, on final, at the airspeed indicator.
Read more in Bush Flying 101Start to finish · 13 stages, 11 scored
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 2,155 m of the approach.
Plan view — the first 2,155 m of the 3,984 m runway, to the same scale as the side view.
Touched down 1,449 m past the threshold — beyond the full-score zone. The arrival was smooth.
The rest of the report
Departing from Reichelsheim Airfield (EDFB), the Douglas DC-3 began its takeoff roll on runway 36, accelerating to a liftoff speed of 77 kt. The aircraft cleared the runway threshold in 606 meters, utilizing 49% of the available runway length. The climb phase commenced overhead Reichelsheim, with the aircraft ascending from an initial altitude of 648 ft asl to 2,676 ft asl in a mere 3 minutes, covering a distance of 6 nm. This rapid ascent was achieved through a combination of the aircraft's power output and the favorable local weather conditions, with a temperature of 7 °C and a negligible headwind of 1 kt.
Following the initial climb, the aircraft transitioned into a level cruise phase, maintaining an altitude of 2,676 ft asl for 10 minutes while covering a distance of 23 nm. This cruise phase was conducted 2 miles north-west of Nidderau, allowing the crew to optimize fuel efficiency and minimize flight time. The aircraft then began its final approach to runway 07R at Frankfurt Airport (EDDF), descending from an altitude of 550 ft agl while maintaining a heading of 69.0°. However, the approach was not without issues, as the touchdown point was located 1,015 meters beyond the designated touchdown zone, and the touchdown speed of 80 kt was excessively high.
The landing phase was further complicated by a misaligned runway touchdown position, with the aircraft deviating 8.2 meters from the centerline. The total landing distance of 2,056 meters, accounting for 52% of the available runway length, was also above the target. The aircraft's rollout alignment was similarly misaligned, deviating 23.9 meters from the centerline. Despite these challenges, the crew managed to bring the aircraft to a firm touchdown, with a touchdown rate of -302 fpm. The total flight distance of 31 nm was completed in 14 minutes, with the aircraft consuming 59 kg of fuel.
The final approach to runway 07R at EDDF Frankfurt Airport from the south west was initiated at 1 nm and 550 ft above ground level, with a heading of 69.0°. The approach quality was compromised by an excessively high threshold height of 214 ft agl, exceeding the target by a significant margin. This was further exacerbated by a threshold speed of 116 kt, which was also above the desired level.
The aircraft touched down 1,015 m beyond the touchdown zone, with a touchdown speed of 80 kt, which was excessively fast. The touchdown rate was firm at -302 fpm, indicating a relatively abrupt deceleration upon contact with the runway. The runway touchdown position was misaligned by 8.2 m from the centreline, compromising the aircraft's ability to maintain a straight course. Local weather conditions, with a temperature of 8 °C and a light wind of 3 kt at 341°, did not significantly impact the landing.
The total landing distance of 2,056 m was 52% of the runway length, indicating a relatively long rollout. The runway rollout alignment was also misaligned by 23.9 m from the centreline, further compromising the aircraft's ability to maintain a straight course. Overall, the landing performance was below par, with a score of 63.4% reflecting the various shortcomings observed during the approach, touchdown, and rollout phases.
Scroll or drag the slider to zoom · double-click to reset · hover for values