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MY FS FLIGHTS
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Arrival
Fly a steeper descent on final so you cross the threshold at 50 ft agl instead of 63 ft agl.
What happened: The aircraft crossed the threshold at 63 ft agl against a 50 ft agl target, well above the normal profile. The touchdown point was also long at 666 m against a 457 m target, a pattern often seen after high threshold crossings.
Watch for: Radio altimeter against the 50 ft threshold crossing target on short final.
Ground effect becomes significant below about one wingspan of height. A Cessna 172, with a 36 ft span, enters ground effect at flare height - the float it feels in the hold-off is ground effect arriving on cue. An A320, with a span around 117 ft, has been in ground effect since before the threshold and there is no sudden cushion to feel, only a gradual reduction in induced drag that lengthens any float you allow.
Read more in Flare TimingStart to finish · 13 stages, 11 scored
Events
Events
Events
Events
The threshold, the flare and the hold-off. The approach that led to it is the stabilisation gates below.
Two stabilised approach gates, each with seven checks, where the approach path is 1,000 ft and 500 ft above the runway. They are the approach's score: the checks passed out of the checks that ran.
The approach, gate by gate
Side view — the last 1,524 m of the approach.
Plan view — the first 1,524 m of the 3,671 m runway, to the same scale as the side view.
Touched down 666 m past the threshold — beyond the full-score zone. The arrival was smooth.
The rest of the report
The Boeing 737 MAX 8 taxied to runway 23L at Auckland International Airport (NZAA) and commenced the take-off roll, covering 1,140 m which represented 31 % of the available runway. The aircraft lifted off at 158 kt under local conditions of 17 °C, a wind of 8 kt from 240°, with a 2 kt cross-wind component and an 8 kt head-wind component.
Climb began directly overhead the airport, with the airplane accelerating from 985 ft ASL to 1,723 ft ASL, an altitude gain of 738 ft achieved in 1 minute while traversing 2 nm.
Cruise was established 2 nm southwest of the field and was maintained for 5 minutes, during which the aircraft covered 14 nm at level flight.
Descent for the final approach to runway 23L started from 1,327 ft AGL and was completed at 88 ft AGL in 102 seconds, meeting the stabilisation gates criteria.
During the final approach the aircraft aligned with runway 23L and proceeded to land; the runway length is 3,671 m. The threshold height at 63 ft AGL was above target, while the threshold speed of 142 kt was within limits. Touchdown occurred 249 m beyond the touchdown zone at a speed of 132 kt, with a vertical speed of minus 222 fpm, and the touchdown point was offset 7.2 m from the centreline. Local weather at landing was 14 °C with a wind of 7 kt from 240°, including a 1 kt cross-wind and a 7 kt head-wind component.
Runway rollout was described as very good, with the aircraft travelling a total landing distance of 1,095 m, equivalent to 30 % of the runway, and maintaining excellent alignment throughout the deceleration phase.
In summary, the flight covered 22 nm, required approximately 8 minutes from departure to stop, and consumed 823 kg of fuel.
The Boeing 737 MAX 8 conducted a stabilised approach to runway 23L at NZAA Auckland International Airport, with the approach assessed as stabilised at the 1,000 ft gate. Gear, flaps, sink rate, glideslope, centreline and speed were all within limits, and the aircraft descended from 1,327 ft AGL to 88 ft AGL in 102 seconds, earning full marks on the stabilisation gates.
During the threshold and flare phase the threshold height measured 63 ft AGL, which was above the target, while the threshold speed of 142 kt was recorded as good.
Touchdown occurred 249 m beyond the designated touchdown zone with a speed of 132 kt judged good and a vertical rate of minus 222 fpm described as fair. The touchdown point was laterally offset by 7.2 m from the centreline, and the total landing distance was 1,095 m, representing 30 % of the 3,671 m runway. Ambient conditions were 14 °C with a wind of 7 kt from 240°, comprising a 7 kt headwind and a 1 kt crosswind.
Rollout alignment was reported as very good, confirming a straight path along the runway after touchdown.
To refine future performances, aim to achieve the target threshold height and bring the touchdown point within the touchdown zone, and work on reducing the lateral deviation to keep the touchdown position closer to the centreline.
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