Events
Events
Events
Events
Events
Events
MY FS FLIGHTS
Flight Score
Keep the approach speed on target
Next time
Add power on short final to hold 65 kt at the threshold rather than letting speed decay.
What linked up: You crossed the threshold at 44 kt against a target of 65 kt, below reference speed.
Watch for: Airspeed indicator, hold 65 kt down to the threshold.
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 VRef ExplainedStart to finish · 10 stages, 10 scored
Events
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 802 m of the approach.
Plan view — the full 802 m runway, to the same scale as the side view.
The 126 m touchdown sits inside the full-score zone. The arrival was smooth.
The rest of the report
Departing from Locarno Airport (LSZL) on runway 08L, the Tecnam P2008 JC initiated its departure roll, accelerating down the 802-meter runway. The aircraft lifted off at a speed of 59 kt, utilizing 619 meters of the available runway, which represented 77% of the total length. The local weather conditions at the time of departure featured a temperature of 35 °C and a light wind of 8 kt from a direction of 0°, resulting in a negligible crosswind component.
As the aircraft transitioned into the enroute phase, it began its initial climb overhead Cugnasco, Ticino, Switzerland, ascending from an altitude of 1,215 ft above sea level to 2,050 ft asl in a mere 2 minutes, covering a distance of 2 nm. This climb phase was followed by a level cruise, which commenced overhead Cadenazzo, Ticino, Switzerland, and lasted for 3 minutes, during which the aircraft covered a distance of 4 nm. The enroute descent phase started overhead Gordola, Ticino, Switzerland, where the aircraft descended from 2,113 ft asl to 1,123 ft asl in 2 minutes, covering a distance of 2 nm. The aircraft then began its final approach to runway 08L at LSZL, aligning itself with the runway at a heading of 81.0° and an altitude of 474 ft above ground level.
The Tecnam P2008 JC touched down on runway 08L, utilizing a touchdown distance of 123 meters, which was within acceptable limits. The touchdown speed of 33 kt was also satisfactory, and the aircraft's descent rate of -75 ft per minute was excellent. However, the runway touchdown position was slightly misaligned from the centerline by 5.2 meters. The local weather conditions at the time of landing featured a temperature of 35 °C and a light wind of 6 kt from a direction of 10°, resulting in a negligible crosswind component. The total flight distance was 11 nm, and the aircraft utilized 1 kg of fuel during the 8-minute flight.
The final approach to runway 08L at LSZL Locarno Airport from the west was initiated at 1 nm and 474 ft above ground level, heading 81.0°. The approach quality was satisfactory, with a good threshold height achieved. However, the threshold speed was a little below the target, registering at 44 kt. Despite this, the landing was executed smoothly, with a touchdown distance of 123 m, which was considered good.
Upon touchdown, the aircraft's speed was 33 kt, which was within the acceptable range. The touchdown rate of -75 fpm was excellent, indicating a controlled and stable descent. However, the runway touchdown position was slightly misaligned, deviating 5.2 m from the centreline. This minor deviation did not significantly impact the overall landing performance.
The rollout phase was uneventful, with the aircraft coming to a stop without any issues. The local weather conditions, with a temperature of 35 °C and a gentle wind of 6 kt at 10°, contributed to a relatively straightforward landing. Overall, the landing score was 91.3%, reflecting a good performance with some minor deviations from the ideal.
Scroll or drag the slider to zoom · double-click to reset · hover for values