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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 · 25 stages, 23 scored
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The threshold, the flare and the hold-off. The approach that led to it is the stabilisation gates below.
One stabilised approach gate: five checks where the approach path is 500 ft above the runway. The 1,000 ft gate was not assessed, because the approach did not join final that far out.
The approach, gate by gate
Side view — the last 3,363 ft of the approach.
Plan view — the full 3,363 ft runway, to the same scale as the side view.
The 1,288 ft 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 19 at Lugano Airport (LSZA), where the Beechcraft Duke took off with a takeoff distance of 1,271 feet, which is 38% of the runway length. The liftoff speed was 83 knots. The local weather conditions at the time of departure were characterized by a temperature of 87°F and a wind speed of 9 knots from 199 degrees, resulting in a headwind of 9 knots.
As the aircraft climbed to a higher altitude, it began its enroute climb from 1,889 feet above sea level (asl) to 2,470 feet asl, an increase of 581 feet in just 2 minutes, covering a distance of 4 nautical miles. This climb phase was followed by a level cruise, which started over Morcote, Switzerland, and lasted for 3 minutes, covering a distance of 10 nautical miles.
The aircraft then began another climb phase, this time from 3,374 feet asl to 4,085 feet asl, an increase of 711 feet in 2 minutes, covering a distance of 5 nautical miles. The climb phase was initiated 1 mile southwest of Porlezza, Italy. The aircraft then began its descent from 4,100 feet asl to 1,252 feet asl, a decrease of 2,849 feet in 5 minutes, covering a distance of 5 nautical miles.
Throughout the flight, the aircraft continued to climb and descend, with various level cruise phases in between. These included a climb from 1,257 feet asl to 2,357 feet asl, a descent from 2,346 feet asl to 1,710 feet asl, and a level cruise over Bellagio, Italy, which lasted for 6 minutes, covering a distance of 11 nautical miles.
The final climb phase began over Longone al Segrino, Italy, where the aircraft climbed from 1,861 feet asl to 3,498 feet asl, an increase of 1,637 feet in 3 minutes, covering a distance of 6 nautical miles. The aircraft then began its descent from 3,474 feet asl to 982 feet asl, a decrease of 2,492 feet in 2 minutes, covering a distance of 4 nautical miles.
The final approach to runway 19 at Lugano Airport was initiated from the north, with the aircraft heading 199.0 degrees at 2 nautical miles and 451 feet above ground level (agl). The landing was successful, with the touchdown point being very long, using more than 50% of the available runway. The touchdown speed was 91 knots, which was good, and the touchdown rate was excellent at -94 feet per minute (fpm). The runway touchdown alignment was perfect.
The total landing distance was 2,721 feet, which is 81% of the runway length. The runway rollout alignment was also perfect. The taxiing to the parking from the runway took 1 minute and covered less than 1 nautical mile. The total flight distance was 74 nautical miles, taking 39 minutes, and the aircraft used 161 pounds of fuel.
The Beechcraft Duke aircraft successfully landed at LSZA Lugano Airport, achieving a score of 94.9%. The final approach to runway 19 was initiated from the north, with a heading of 199.0° at 2 nautical miles and 451 feet above ground level (agl). The aircraft's approach was characterized by a good threshold height, indicating a well-executed descent.
Upon touchdown, the aircraft's threshold speed was significantly above the target speed, reaching 114 knots. This suggests that the pilot had sufficient control and managed to maintain a high speed during the approach. However, the touchdown point was located very far down the runway, utilizing more than 50% of the available 3,363-foot runway length. This may indicate that the pilot could have benefited from a slightly shorter approach or a more precise touchdown point.
Despite the long touchdown point, the touchdown speed of 91 knots was considered good, and the touchdown rate of -94 feet per minute (fpm) was excellent. This indicates that the pilot had a high degree of control and was able to manage the aircraft's descent effectively. The runway touchdown alignment was also perfect, suggesting that the pilot had maintained a stable and aligned approach.
The local weather conditions at the time of the landing were favorable, with a temperature of 86°F and a wind speed of 7 knots from 189°. The crosswind component was minimal at 1 knot, while the headwind component was 7 knots, which likely contributed to the aircraft's stable approach.
The total landing distance of 2,721 feet was 81% of the available runway length, which is a relatively long distance. However, the runway rollout alignment was perfect, indicating that the pilot had maintained control and stability during the rollout phase. Overall, the Beechcraft Duke's landing at LSZA Lugano Airport was a successful one, with the pilot demonstrating good control and management of the aircraft throughout the approach and touchdown phases.
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