Events
Events
MY FS FLIGHTS
Flight Score
Departure
Start bringing the nose up as the speed reaches 35 kt, not after it.
What happened: You started the rotation at 51 kt, 16 kt past the 35 kt rotation speed.
Watch for: Airspeed indicator: 35 kt at rotation
See Departure Roll
Arrival
Add power on final to hold 64 kt across the threshold.
What happened: The aircraft crossed the threshold at 55 kt, 9 kt below VREF, and low energy like this usually carries through to a firm touchdown at 688 fpm.
Watch for: Airspeed indicator: 64 kt at the threshold
There are several things that can go wrong during the flare, carrying too much speed over the threshold, starting the flare at the wrong height and inconsistent flight control inputs, all contribute to a poor flare resulting in a hard touchdown or a float down the runway.
Read more in Flare TimingStart to finish · 13 stages, 12 scored
Events
Events
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 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.
Scroll or drag the slider to zoom · double-click to reset · hover for values