Events
Events
MY FS FLIGHTS
Flight Score
Improve the pattern base leg
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 · 13 stages, 13 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 for a circuit: five checks where the approach path is 500 ft above the runway. 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 2,114 m runway, to the same scale as the side view.
The 359 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 25 at Newcastle Airport, EGNT. The aircraft, Sirius, accelerated down the runway, covering a distance of 145 meters, which accounted for 7% of the runway's length. The liftoff speed was achieved at 83 knots, marking the start of the flight.
As the aircraft took to the skies, it encountered local weather conditions of 15 degrees Celsius and a gentle wind of 1 knot from the northwest. The crosswind was negligible, and the headwind was also minimal, at 1 knot. With these conditions in mind, the pilot navigated the aircraft through a left-hand pattern entry from runway 25. The entry was executed smoothly, covering a distance of 1 nautical mile in just 17 seconds.
The left-hand pattern crosswind was also successfully navigated, with the aircraft covering less than 1 nautical mile in 26 seconds. The pilot then proceeded to the pattern downwind turn, which involved a 45-degree angle to the runway. This turn was completed over a distance of 2 nautical miles, with the aircraft maintaining a steady heading.
The downwind leg of the pattern was also executed efficiently, covering a distance of 2 nautical miles in 66 seconds. The pilot then initiated the base leg turn, which involved another 45-degree angle to the runway. This turn was completed over a distance of 1 nautical mile, with the aircraft maintaining a steady heading.
The base leg of the pattern was also navigated smoothly, covering less than 1 nautical mile in 26 seconds. The pilot then initiated the final turn, which was completed over a distance of less than 1 nautical mile in 17 seconds. With the aircraft aligned with the runway, the pilot began the final approach to runway 25 from the north-east, heading 245 degrees at an altitude of 143 feet above ground level.
The landing was executed perfectly, with the aircraft touching down on the runway at a speed of 41 knots. The touchdown distance was 358 meters, and the touchdown rate was a perfect -24 feet per minute. The runway touchdown alignment was also perfect, indicating a smooth and controlled landing. The local weather conditions remained the same, with a temperature of 15 degrees Celsius and a gentle wind of 1 knot from the northwest.
In total, the flight covered a distance of 8 nautical miles, taking 5 minutes to complete. The aircraft used a total of 1 kilogram of fuel during the flight. Overall, the flight was executed smoothly and efficiently, with the pilot demonstrating excellent control and navigation skills.
The aircraft, identified as Sirius, successfully completed a landing at EGNT Newcastle Airport, showcasing exceptional piloting skills and adherence to standard operating procedures. The final approach to runway 25 was initiated from the north east, with the aircraft heading 245.0° at an altitude of 143 feet above ground level (agl) and a distance of 0 nautical miles from the runway.
As the aircraft descended onto the runway, it demonstrated a high level of proficiency, with a threshold height that was well within acceptable limits. The threshold speed of 54 knots was also satisfactory, indicating that the pilot had maintained a steady and controlled approach. The touchdown distance of 358 meters was also within the expected range, further emphasizing the pilot's skill and attention to detail.
Upon touchdown, the aircraft's speed was recorded at 41 knots, which was a good indication of a controlled and gentle landing. The touchdown rate of -24 feet per minute (fpm) was perfect, signifying that the aircraft had touched down smoothly and without any excessive deceleration. The runway touchdown alignment was also perfect, indicating that the pilot had maintained a steady and accurate course throughout the approach.
The local weather conditions at the time of the landing were favorable, with a temperature of 15°C and a wind speed of 1 knot from 270°. This resulted in a negligible crosswind component and a slight headwind of 1 knot, which the pilot effectively managed to maintain control and stability throughout the approach and landing. Overall, the Sirius aircraft's landing at EGNT Newcastle Airport was a testament to the pilot's expertise and adherence to standard operating procedures.
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