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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
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Two stabilised approach gates, each with six checks at 1,000 ft and 500 ft above the runway.
Side view — the last 3,893 ft of the approach.
Plan view — the full 3,893 ft runway, to the same scale as the side view.
The 673 ft touchdown sits inside the full-score zone. The arrival was smooth.
The rest of the report
The flight began with a taxiing period from the parking area to the runway, which took approximately 2 minutes and covered less than 1 nautical mile. The aircraft, a Mooney Ovation M20R, then departed from runway 05 at KPVF Placerville Airport. The takeoff distance was 1,144 feet, which accounted for 29% of the runway. The liftoff speed was 77 knots.
As the aircraft climbed away from the airport, it encountered local weather conditions with a temperature of 46°F and a wind speed of 0 knots at 225 degrees. There was no crosswind or headwind to contend with. The enroute climb started overhead the airport, where the aircraft ascended from 3,253 feet above sea level to 3,681 feet, an increase of 429 feet in just 1 minute, covering a distance of 1 nautical mile.
Following the climb, the aircraft entered a level cruise phase, which began 2 miles northeast of the airport and lasted for 4 minutes. During this time, the aircraft covered a distance of 5 nautical miles. The final approach to runway 05 at KPVF Placerville Airport was made from the southwest, with the aircraft heading at 58.0 degrees at an altitude of 625 feet above ground level, 2 nautical miles from the runway.
The landing on runway 05 was successful, with the aircraft touching down at a speed of 72 knots and a touchdown distance of 662 feet. The touchdown rate was smooth at -101 feet per minute, and the runway touchdown alignment was perfect. The local weather conditions at the time of landing were a temperature of 43°F and a wind speed of 0 knots at 339 degrees, with no crosswind or headwind.
The total landing distance was 1,585 feet, which accounted for 41% of the runway. The runway rollout alignment was also perfect. The total flight distance was 9 nautical miles, and the flight duration was 8 minutes. The aircraft used 7 pounds of fuel during the flight.
The Mooney Ovation M20R aircraft successfully landed at KPVF Placerville Airport, achieving a perfect score of 100.0%. The final approach to runway 05 was conducted from the southwest, with a heading of 58.0° at 2 nautical miles and 625 feet above ground level (agl). This approach was executed with precision, taking into account the runway's length of 3,893 feet.
Upon touchdown, the aircraft's threshold height was good, and the threshold speed was slightly above the target at 79 knots. This indicates that the pilot maintained a safe and controlled approach, despite the slight deviation from the target speed. The touchdown distance of 662 feet was also within acceptable limits, demonstrating the pilot's ability to manage the aircraft's descent and landing.
The touchdown speed of 72 knots was good, and the touchdown rate of -101 feet per minute (fpm) was smooth, indicating a controlled and stable landing. The runway touchdown alignment was perfect, showcasing the pilot's skill and attention to detail during the approach and landing phases.
The local weather conditions at the time of the landing were favorable, with a temperature of 43°F and a wind speed of 0 knots from 339°. This resulted in a zero crosswind and headwind, making the landing even more challenging and impressive. The total landing distance of 1,585 feet was 41% of the runway length, demonstrating the pilot's ability to manage the aircraft's speed and descent to achieve a safe and efficient landing.
Finally, the runway rollout alignment was perfect, indicating that the pilot maintained control of the aircraft during the rollout phase, ensuring a safe and stable stop at the end of the runway. Overall, this landing was a testament to the pilot's skill and experience, as well as the aircraft's performance and handling characteristics.
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