Events
Events
Events
MY FS FLIGHTS
Flight Score
Improve the pattern base leg turn
Bank angle in the pattern is conventionally kept to 20 to 30 degrees, and the base-to-final turn is where that convention earns its keep. Stall speed rises with bank because the wing must produce more lift in a turn. Roughly 7 per cent higher at 30 degrees, about 19 per cent at 45, and around 40 per cent at 60. At 65 kt on base you don't have much margin to spend steepening a turn to salvage an overshoot.
Read more in Pattern WorkStart to finish · 15 stages, 14 scored
Events
Events
Events
One stabilised approach gate for a circuit: six checks at the point nearest 500 ft above the runway after the base turn. The 1,000 ft gate is an instrument-approach check and does not apply.
The approach, gate by gate
Side view — the last 1,524 m of the approach.
Plan view — the first 1,524 m of the 1,814 m runway, to the same scale as the side view.
The 313 m touchdown sits inside the full-score zone. The arrival was smooth.
The rest of the report
Departing from EGPE Inverness Airport, the aircraft began its taxiing process, covering less than 1 nautical mile in under a minute to reach the runway. With the runway 23 in sight, the departure roll commenced, and the aircraft accelerated down the 1,814-meter-long runway, achieving liftoff at a speed of 57 knots. The takeoff distance of 200 meters accounted for only 11% of the available runway length, demonstrating a smooth and efficient departure.
As the aircraft entered the left-hand pattern, it maintained a steady pace, completing the entry turn in less than 1 nautical mile in 20 seconds. The subsequent crosswind turn was executed in 24 seconds, showcasing the pilot's proficiency in navigating the aircraft through various wind conditions. The pattern downwind turn, with an angle of 67.6 degrees to the runway, was followed by a 2-nautical-mile downwind leg, which was completed in 64 seconds. The base leg turn, with an angle of 70.0 degrees, was then executed, and the aircraft began its final approach to runway 23.
The final approach was initiated from the north-east, with a heading of 229.0 degrees at an altitude of 98 feet above ground level. The aircraft touched down on the runway, achieving a touchdown distance of 311 meters and a speed of 38 knots. The touchdown rate of -42 feet per minute was perfect, and the runway touchdown alignment was spot on. The total flight distance of 6 nautical miles was completed in 5 minutes, with a fuel consumption of 1 kilogram. The landing was a testament to the pilot's skill and the aircraft's performance, with a threshold speed that was only slightly below the target of 46 knots.
The final approach to runway 23 at EGPE Inverness Airport from the north east was executed with precision, with the aircraft maintaining a heading of 229.0° at 0 nm and 98 ft above ground level. The approach quality was excellent, with a good threshold height achieved. However, the threshold speed was a little below the target, coming in at 46 kt. Despite this minor deviation, the touchdown distance was good, with the aircraft touching down at 311 m from the threshold.
The touchdown characteristics were also noteworthy, with a speed of 38 kt and a rate of descent of -42 fpm, which was perfect. The runway touchdown alignment was spot on, with the aircraft perfectly centered on the runway. The local weather conditions were favorable, with a temperature of 15 °C and a gentle wind of 1 kt at 270°, resulting in a negligible crosswind and headwind of 1 kt each. The overall performance of the aircraft was impressive, with a score of 98.0% reflecting the high standard of the landing.
The rollout phase was smooth and controlled, with the aircraft responding well to the pilot's inputs. The runway length of 1,814 m was more than sufficient to accommodate the aircraft's stopping distance, and the landing was completed without incident. Overall, the landing was a credit to the pilot's skill and experience, and the aircraft's performance was exemplary.
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