Events
Events
MY FS FLIGHTS
Flight Score
Configure earlier
Preparing for a stable approach will give you time to decide on whether to attempt the landing or going around. Too much altitude with a high sink rate will result in carrying too much speed onto the runway. Configuring flaps and the gear late also won't help the speed decay.
Read more in The Stabilised ApproachStart to finish · 12 stages, 11 scored
Events
Events
One stabilised approach gate: six 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. These checks are the approach's score.
At the 500 ft gate: no landing flap set and off the runway's 3° glideslope.
The approach, gate by gate
Side view — the last 5,000 ft of the approach.
Plan view — the full 5,000 ft runway, to the same scale as the side view.
The 302 ft touchdown sits inside the full-score zone. The 1.98 G arrival is the firm side of smooth.
The rest of the report
The Curtiss JN-4D taxied from the parking area to runway 13 at FHAW RAF Ascension Island in less than 1 minute, covering a distance of less than 1 nm.
During the departure roll on runway 13, the aircraft accelerated over a take-off distance of 1,391 ft, which represented 14 % of the available runway. Liftoff was achieved at 52 kt. Ambient conditions were 60 °F with a wind of 1 kt from 270°, a crosswind component of 0 kt and a tailwind component of 1 kt.
An initial level cruise commenced overhead FHAW and lasted less than 1 minute, during which the aircraft travelled less than 1 nm.
Climb began 1 mile southeast of FHAW, with the airframe rising from 944 ft asl to 1,467 ft asl - a gain of 523 ft - in 2 minutes while covering 1 nm.
A subsequent level cruise started 2 miles east of FHAW, persisting for 6 minutes and extending the flight path by 6 nm.
On final approach, the aircraft descended from 148 ft agl to 33 ft agl in 8 seconds, and the descent was recorded as having scored on the stabilisation gates.
During the touchdown approach, the aircraft descended from 46 ft agl to ground level in 3 seconds, a vertical change of 46 ft.
Touchdown occurred at a speed of 51 kt, with an excellent vertical rate of minus 62 fpm and a touchdown point 295 ft down the runway. Weather at the time remained 60 °F with a wind of 1 kt from 269°, a crosswind of 0 kt and a tailwind of 1 kt.
In total, the flight covered 9 nm, taking 10, and consumed 9 lbs of fuel.
The final approach to the runway situated 3 miles north-east of FHAW RAF Ascension Island Cat Hill was conducted with a descent from 148 ft agl to 33 ft agl in 8 seconds and was scored on the stabilisation gates.
During the threshold and flare phase the aircraft descended from 46 ft agl to 0 ft agl, a decrease of 46 ft in 3 seconds, while remaining on the intended touchdown line.
Touchdown occurred 3 miles north-east of FHAW RAF Ascension Island Cat Hill at a speed of 51 kt, which was noted as too fast; the touchdown rate was excellent at minus 62 fpm and the touchdown point was good at 295 ft from the threshold. Local weather was temperature 60 °F, wind 1 kt from 269°, crosswind 0 kt and tailwind 1 kt.
Reduce the touchdown speed to the appropriate VREF to avoid excess kinetic energy on landing, and ensure the flare is timed to maintain the target speed while preserving the excellent vertical rate already demonstrated.
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