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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 · 16 stages, 14 scored
Events
Events
Events
Events
Events
Two stabilised approach gates, each with six checks at 1,000 ft and 500 ft above the runway.
The approach, gate by gate
Side view — the last 1,610 m of the approach.
Plan view — the first 1,610 m of the 2,735 m runway, to the same scale as the side view.
Touched down 832 m past the threshold — beyond the full-score zone. The arrival was smooth.
The rest of the report
The flight began with a taxiing period from the parking to the runway, which took 4 minutes and covered less than 1 nautical mile. The aircraft, a Velocity XL, then departed from runway 04 at KTZR Bolton Field, with a takeoff distance of 255 meters, which was 15% of the runway length. The liftoff speed was 70 knots.
As the aircraft took off, it encountered local weather conditions of a temperature of 15°C and a wind speed of 1 knot at 270°. The crosswind and tailwind components were both 1 knot. The enroute climb started overhead KTZR Bolton Field, where the aircraft climbed from 1,973 feet above sea level to 4,097 feet above sea level, an increase of 2,124 feet in just 1 minute, covering a distance of 2 nautical miles.
The enroute level cruise began 2 miles north of KTZR Bolton Field and lasted for 5 minutes, covering a distance of 16 nautical miles. The enroute descent started 2 miles west of London, Ohio, and the aircraft descended from 4,408 feet above sea level to 1,748 feet above sea level, a decrease of 2,661 feet in 5 minutes, covering a distance of 14 nautical miles.
The final approach to runway 24 at KSGH Springfield-Beckley Municipal Airport was made from the north-east, with a heading of 235.0° at 2 nautical miles and 687 feet above ground level. The landing was successful, with a touchdown point 392 meters beyond the touchdown zone. The touchdown speed was 61 knots, which was good, and the touchdown rate was perfect at -11 feet per minute. The runway touchdown alignment was very good.
The local weather conditions at the time of landing were the same as during takeoff, with a temperature of 15°C and a wind speed of 1 knot at 270°. The crosswind and headwind components were both 1 knot. The total landing distance was 1,505 meters, which was 55% of the runway length. The runway rollout alignment was perfect. The taxiing period from the runway to the parking took less than 1 minute and covered less than 1 nautical mile.
In total, the flight distance was 35 nautical miles, and the flight duration was 17 minutes. The aircraft used 7 kilograms of fuel during the flight.
The Aircraft Velocity XL successfully landed at KSGH Springfield-Beckley Municipal Airport, showcasing a high level of proficiency in its flight operations. The aircraft approached the runway from the north east, heading 235.0° at 2 nautical miles and 687 feet above ground level (agl). This approach was executed with precision, as the aircraft maintained a good threshold height and touched down on the runway at a speed of 61 knots, which was well within the target range.
The touchdown point was 392 meters beyond the designated touchdown zone, indicating a slight overrun but still within a safe margin. The threshold speed was above the target at 94 knots, suggesting that the aircraft had sufficient energy to absorb any potential errors during the landing process. The touchdown rate of -11 feet per minute (fpm) was perfect, demonstrating the pilot's ability to control the aircraft's descent and maintain a stable approach.
The local weather conditions at the time of landing were favorable, with a temperature of 15°C and a wind speed of 1 knot from 270°. This resulted in a negligible crosswind and headwind, allowing the pilot to focus on maintaining a stable approach and touchdown. The runway rollout alignment was perfect, indicating that the pilot had successfully transitioned from the landing phase to the rollout phase without any issues.
The total landing distance of 1,505 meters was 55% of the runway length, which is a relatively short distance considering the aircraft's size and weight. This suggests that the pilot had executed a smooth and controlled approach, minimizing the aircraft's energy and ensuring a safe touchdown. Overall, the Aircraft Velocity XL's landing at KSGH Springfield-Beckley Municipal Airport was a success, with a score of 95.4% indicating a high level of proficiency and skill on the part of the pilot.
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