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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
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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 354 m 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 23 at EGPE Inverness Airport, where the aircraft, a PA28 Arrow III, accelerated down the 794-meter runway, covering 44% of its length, before lifting off at a speed of 87 knots. The local weather conditions at the time of takeoff were characterized by a temperature of 16 degrees Celsius and a gentle wind of 1 knot from a direction of 269 degrees, resulting in a negligible crosswind and headwind.
As the aircraft entered the left-hand traffic pattern, it made a smooth turn from the runway, covering a distance of less than 1 nautical mile in just 18 seconds. The subsequent crosswind turn was completed in a similar time of 20 seconds, with the aircraft maintaining a steady heading. The downwind turn, which involved a 45-degree angle to the runway, was completed over a distance of 1 nautical mile, while the downwind leg itself covered a distance of 2 nautical miles in 79 seconds.
As the aircraft began its base leg turn, it covered a distance of 1 nautical mile, with an angle to the runway of 55.3 degrees. The base leg itself was completed in just 31 seconds, covering a distance of less than 1 nautical mile. The final turn, which brought the aircraft onto the final approach, was completed in 24 seconds, after which the aircraft began its descent onto runway 23.
The final approach was made from the north-east, with the aircraft flying at a heading of 229.0 degrees and an altitude of 174 feet above ground level. The landing was characterized by a threshold speed that was slightly above the target speed of 76 knots, but the touchdown distance of 353 meters was considered good, and the touchdown speed of 58 knots was also within acceptable limits. The touchdown rate of -75 feet per minute was excellent, and the runway touchdown alignment was very good.
The total landing distance was 710 meters, which represented 39% of the runway length. The runway rollout alignment was perfect, with the aircraft coming to a stop in a straight line. The total flight distance was 7 nautical miles, which was completed in 6 minutes, and the aircraft used a total of 2 kilograms of fuel during the flight.
The PA28 Arrow III aircraft successfully landed on runway 23 at EGPE Inverness Airport, achieving a perfect score of 100.0%. The final approach was initiated from the north east, heading 229.0° at an altitude of 174 feet above ground level (agl) and 0 nautical miles from the runway.
The aircraft touched down on the runway with a good threshold height, and the threshold speed was slightly above the target at 76 knots. The touchdown distance of 353 meters was also good, indicating a smooth and controlled descent. The touchdown speed of 58 knots was within the acceptable range, and the touchdown rate of -75 feet per minute (fpm) was excellent, demonstrating a high degree of control and precision.
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, making the landing even more challenging and impressive. The total landing distance of 710 meters was 39% of the runway length, indicating a well-executed landing.
The runway rollout alignment was perfect, demonstrating the pilot's exceptional skill and control. The aircraft remained aligned with the runway centerline throughout the rollout, showcasing a high degree of precision and control. Overall, the landing was a testament to the pilot's expertise and the aircraft's capabilities, resulting in a flawless and safe landing on runway 23 at EGPE Inverness Airport.
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