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MY FS FLIGHTS
Flight Score
Improve the pattern base leg turn
Bank angle in the pattern is conventionally kept to 20 to 30 degrees, and the base-to-final turn is where that convention earns its keep. Stall speed rises with bank because the wing must produce more lift in a turn. Roughly 7 per cent higher at 30 degrees, about 19 per cent at 45, and around 40 per cent at 60. At 65 kt on base you don't have much margin to spend steepening a turn to salvage an overshoot.
Read more in Pattern WorkStart to finish · 16 stages, 14 scored
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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.
Touched down 580 m past the threshold — beyond the full-score zone. The arrival was smooth.
The rest of the report
The Velocity XL aircraft departed from runway 23 at Inverness Airport (EGPE) with a takeoff distance of 514 meters, which accounted for 28% of the runway length. The liftoff speed was 104 knots. At the time of departure, the local weather conditions were characterized by a temperature of 9 degrees Celsius and a wind speed of 1 knot from a direction of 329 degrees. This resulted in a negligible crosswind and headwind.
As the aircraft entered the right-hand pattern, it did so from runway 23, with the distance covered being less than 1 nautical mile in 53 seconds. The subsequent right-hand pattern crosswind leg was completed in under 10 seconds. The pattern downwind turn covered a distance of 3 nautical miles, with an angle to the runway of 54.3 degrees. The downwind leg itself was completed in 12 seconds, covering a distance of less than 1 nautical mile.
The pattern base leg turn was executed with a distance of 2 nautical miles, and an angle to the runway of 96.0 degrees. The base leg itself was completed in 17 seconds, covering a distance of less than 1 nautical mile. The final turn was completed in 26 seconds, covering a distance of less than 1 nautical mile.
The aircraft then began its final approach to runway 23 from the north-east, heading 231.0 degrees at an altitude of 123 feet above ground level (agl) and a distance of 0 nautical miles from the runway. The landing was executed with a threshold speed that was well above the target speed of 94 knots.
The touchdown point was 145 meters beyond the touchdown zone, with a touchdown speed of 72 knots and a touchdown rate of -28 feet per minute (fpm), which was considered perfect. The runway touchdown alignment was also perfect. At the time of landing, the local weather conditions were characterized by a temperature of 9 degrees Celsius and a wind speed of 0 knots from a direction of 331 degrees, resulting in no crosswind or headwind.
The total landing distance was 893 meters, which accounted for 49% of the runway length. The runway rollout alignment was also perfect. The total flight distance was 8 nautical miles, with a total flight time of 6 minutes and a fuel consumption of -93 kilograms.
The Aircraft Velocity XL successfully landed at EGPE Inverness Airport, showcasing a high level of proficiency in its flight operations. The aircraft approached the runway from the north east, aligning itself with the runway's heading of 231.0°. At an altitude of 123 feet above ground level (agl) and 0 nautical miles from the runway, the aircraft began its final descent.
Upon landing, the aircraft touched down 145 meters beyond the designated touchdown zone, which is a relatively minor deviation. However, the touchdown speed of 72 knots was well within the acceptable range, indicating a smooth and controlled descent. The touchdown rate of -28 feet per minute (fpm) was also perfect, demonstrating the pilot's ability to manage the aircraft's descent and maintain a stable flight path.
The runway touchdown alignment was spot on, indicating that the pilot had successfully aligned the aircraft with the runway centerline. The local weather conditions were favorable, with a temperature of 9°C and a wind speed of 0 knots from 331°. This meant that there was no crosswind or headwind to contend with, making the landing even more challenging.
The total landing distance of 893 meters was 49% of the runway length, which is a relatively short distance considering the aircraft's size and weight. This suggests that the pilot had successfully managed the aircraft's speed and descent rate to achieve a smooth and controlled landing. The runway rollout alignment was also perfect, indicating that the pilot had maintained control of the aircraft throughout the landing process.
Overall, the Aircraft Velocity XL's landing at EGPE Inverness Airport was a textbook example of a well-executed flight operation. The pilot's skills and experience were evident in the aircraft's smooth and controlled descent, and the landing was a testament to the aircraft's capabilities and the pilot's expertise.
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