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 · 11 stages, 9 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: seven checks where the approach path is 300 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.
At the 300 ft gate: centreline 1.8° off, against a 1° limit.
The approach, gate by gate
Side view — the last 520 m of the approach.
Plan view — the full 520 m runway, to the same scale as the side view.
The 199 m touchdown sits inside the full-score zone. The arrival was smooth.
The rest of the report
Departing from LFLJ Courchevel Altiport, the XCub began its journey with a swift taxi to the runway, covering less than 1 nautical mile in under a minute. As the aircraft reached the threshold of runway 04, it initiated its departure roll, accelerating to a liftoff speed of 59 knots. The takeoff distance of 343 meters accounted for 63% of the runway length, demonstrating a smooth and efficient departure.
Following a brief enroute level cruise phase, which lasted 2 minutes and covered 4 nautical miles, the aircraft began its descent towards LFLJ Courchevel Altiport. The final approach was initiated from the north-east, with the aircraft heading 224.0° at 1 nautical mile and 300 feet above ground level. The landing on runway 22 was notable for its good threshold height, with the touchdown speed of 40 knots and touchdown rate of 777 feet per minute being well within acceptable limits. However, the runway touchdown position was slightly misaligned by 3.1 meters from the centreline.
The total landing distance of 317 meters accounted for 58% of the runway length, with the runway rollout alignment also being slightly misaligned by 14.9 meters from the centreline. Despite these minor deviations, the overall performance of the XCub during the flight was satisfactory, with a total flight distance of 6 nautical miles and a fuel consumption of 1 kilogram. The local weather conditions, with a temperature of 16°C and a wind speed of 9 knots at 337°, played a minor role in the flight's performance.
The aircraft touched down on runway 22 at LFLJ Courchevel Altiport with a satisfactory approach quality, maintaining a steady heading of 224.0° from 1 nm and 300 ft above ground level. The threshold height was well managed, allowing for a smooth transition to the runway. However, the threshold speed was above the target, registering 62 kt, which may have been due to the prevailing wind conditions. The wind was blowing at 9 kt from 337°, resulting in a crosswind of 8 kt and a tailwind of 3 kt.
The touchdown characteristics were good, with a speed of 40 kt and a touchdown rate of 777 fpm, indicating a controlled descent. The touchdown distance of 213 m was within acceptable limits, and the aircraft remained on the runway for a total distance of 317 m, which equates to 58% of the runway length. The runway touchdown position was slightly misaligned from the centreline by 3.1 m, and the rollout alignment was also slightly off-centre by 14.9 m. Despite these minor deviations, the overall performance was satisfactory, earning a score of 90.0%.
The local weather conditions, with a temperature of 16 °C and a gentle wind, contributed to a relatively straightforward landing. The pilot's ability to manage the aircraft's descent and maintain control throughout the approach and touchdown phases was evident, despite the slight misalignments. Overall, the landing was successful, and the pilot demonstrated good skills and judgment in navigating the challenging conditions at LFLJ Courchevel Altiport.
Scroll or drag the slider to zoom · double-click to reset · hover for values