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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
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 797 m of the approach.
Plan view — the full 797 m runway, to the same scale as the side view.
The 31 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 29 at Haydock Park Airstrip, designated as EGGL. The aircraft, a DR400, accelerated down the runway and lifted off at a speed of 66 kt, covering a distance of 270 m, which accounted for 41% of the runway's length. The local weather conditions at the time of takeoff were characterized by a temperature of 15 °C and a gentle wind of 1 kt blowing from a direction of 259 °.
As the aircraft climbed away from the airfield, it began its enroute climb, which started overhead Ashton in Makerfield, a borough in Wigan, England. The climb was quite steep, with the aircraft rising from an altitude of 703 ft above sea level to 1,047 ft in just 1 minute, covering a distance of 2 nm. This impressive climb rate allowed the aircraft to quickly gain altitude and establish a steady cruise altitude.
The enroute level cruise phase of the flight began overhead Newton-le-Willows, a town in St. Helens, England. During this phase, the aircraft maintained a steady altitude for 10 minutes, covering a distance of less than 1 nm. This period of steady flight allowed the pilot to assess the aircraft's performance and make any necessary adjustments to the flight plan.
As the aircraft approached the end of its flight, it began its final approach to runway 28 at Haydock Park Airstrip, designated as EG49. The approach was made from the east, with the aircraft heading 290.0 ° at an altitude of 263 ft above ground level and a distance of 0 nm from the runway threshold. The local weather conditions at the time of landing were characterized by a temperature of 16 °C and a calm wind of 1 kt blowing from a direction of 259 °.
The landing itself was smooth, with the aircraft touching down on the runway at a speed of 71 kt. However, the touchdown speed was slightly too fast, and the touchdown rate was firm at -375 fpm. Despite this, the runway touchdown alignment was perfect, and the aircraft came to rest on the runway with a total landing distance of 292 m, which accounted for 37% of the runway's length. The runway rollout alignment was also perfect, indicating that the pilot had maintained control of the aircraft throughout the landing phase.
In total, the flight covered a distance of 4 nm and lasted for 15 minutes, during which the aircraft used 3 kg of fuel. Overall, the flight was a successful one, with the pilot demonstrating good control and navigation skills throughout the flight.
The DR400 aircraft successfully landed at EG49 Haydock Park, achieving a score of 95.0%. The final approach was conducted from the east, heading 290.0° at 0 nm and 263 ft above ground level (agl). The aircraft landed on runway 28, which has a length of 797 meters.
The threshold height was reported as good, indicating that the aircraft was at the correct height as it approached the runway. However, the threshold speed was too high at 70 knots, suggesting that the pilot may have been able to reduce the speed further before touchdown. The touchdown distance was good at 28 meters, indicating that the aircraft was able to touch down within a reasonable distance from the threshold.
The touchdown speed of 71 knots was also reported as too fast, which may have resulted in a firmer touchdown rate. The touchdown rate of -375 feet per minute (fpm) was firm, but not excessively so. The runway touchdown alignment was perfect, indicating that the aircraft was aligned with the runway centerline at the moment of touchdown.
The local weather conditions at the time of the landing were favorable, with a temperature of 16°C and a wind speed of 1 knot from 259°. There was no crosswind or headwind component, making the landing conditions ideal. The total landing distance was 292 meters, which is 37% of the runway length. This is a relatively short landing distance, indicating that the aircraft was able to touch down and stop within a reasonable distance.
The runway rollout alignment was also reported as perfect, indicating that the aircraft was aligned with the runway centerline during the rollout phase. Overall, the landing was successful, and the aircraft was able to touch down and stop within a reasonable distance. However, there were some minor issues with the threshold speed and touchdown speed, which may be areas for improvement for the pilot.
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