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MY FS FLIGHTS
Flight Score
Shorten the long landing
Ground effect becomes significant below about one wingspan of height. A Cessna 172, with a 36 ft span, enters ground effect at flare height - the float it feels in the hold-off is ground effect arriving on cue. An A320, with a span around 117 ft, has been in ground effect since before the threshold and there is no sudden cushion to feel, only a gradual reduction in induced drag that lengthens any float you allow.
Read more in Flare TimingStart to finish · 16 stages, 14 scored
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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 1,524 m of the approach.
Plan view — the full 1,524 m runway, to the same scale as the side view.
The 263 m touchdown sits inside the full-score zone. The arrival was smooth.
The rest of the report
This flight began at the Mihail Kogălniceanu International Airport, located in Romania, with the aircraft taking off from runway 18. The taxiing process to the runway took approximately 3 minutes, covering a distance of less than 1 nautical mile. Upon departure, the Cessna Skyhawk lifted off with a takeoff speed of 75 knots. The local weather conditions were characterized by a temperature of 16 degrees Celsius and a wind speed of 2 knots at 270 degrees, with negligible crosswind and headwind.
As the flight progressed, it reached a level cruise, covering 1 nautical mile in just 1 minute. Subsequently, the aircraft began its enroute climb from 3 miles north west of Lumina, increasing its altitude by 610 feet at a rate of 307 feet per minute in 2 minutes, while covering a distance of 3 nautical miles. The climb started from an initial altitude of 974 feet above sea level, ultimately reaching 1,584 feet.
After completing the climb, the aircraft entered its second level cruise phase. This segment lasted for 15 minutes and covered a significant distance of 26 nautical miles, with the aircraft maintaining a consistent altitude. The next phase of the flight involved a descent from an altitude of 1,996 feet to 53 feet above sea level, reducing the altitude by 1,944 feet in 3 minutes. This descent started 2 miles south of Neptun and was necessary to prepare for the final approach to landing.
The final approach was conducted at an altitude of 53 feet above ground level, with the aircraft beginning its descent from 44 feet to 0 feet above ground level. This descent was completed in just 6 seconds, indicating a relatively steep rate of descent. Touchdown occurred at a speed of 68 knots, which was marginally higher than expected, accompanied by a firm touchdown rate of -350 feet per minute. Notably, the touchdown point was situated at an extremely long distance along the runway, utilizing over 50% of the available length.
Following a successful touchdown, the aircraft entered the landing rollout phase, covering a distance of 163 meters before coming to a stop. The taxiing process to the parking area again took approximately 3 minutes, concluding the flight. Throughout the journey, the Cessna Skyhawk consumed 16 kilograms of fuel and covered a total distance of 36 nautical miles, lasting for a duration of 25 minutes.
Comprehensive Report: Aircraft Landing
On a day with favorable weather conditions, with the temperature at a comfortable 16 °C and a light wind of 2 kt at 270°, a Cessna Skyhawk aircraft successfully landed at Neptun, a location in Constanta, Romania. The aircraft began its final approach to landing at a height of 1 nm (approximately 1.8 kilometers) from the ground and descended at an altitude of 53 feet above ground level (ft agl). As the aircraft continued its descent, it maintained a steady altitude, with a decrease in height being minimal.
During the final stages of the approach, the aircraft's descent became more pronounced, with a decrease of 44 ft in just 6 seconds. This rapid descent indicates that the pilot expertly controlled the aircraft's rate of descent to ensure a smooth landing. However, upon touchdown, the aircraft touched down at a speed of 68 kt, which was slightly above the recommended touchdown speed. This might have contributed to a firmer touchdown rate of -350 fpm, indicating that the aircraft experienced a steeper rate of descent at touchdown.
Despite the higher than desired touchdown speed, the aircraft's landing was otherwise successful. The touchdown point was positioned quite far down the runway, exceeding 50% of the available runway. This might have been a result of the pilot not being able to slow the aircraft down quickly enough, contributing to a longer rollout distance.
Upon touchdown, the aircraft maintained an altitude of 0 ft agl, and the landing rollout distance was recorded at 163 meters. The crosswind and headwind conditions were negligible, with a crosswind of 2 kt and a headwind of 0 kt, which minimizes the impact on the aircraft's stability and control. Overall, the landing was successful, albeit with a slightly higher-than-ideal touchdown speed.
Recommendations for Improvement
To improve the landing, the pilot should aim to reduce the touchdown speed by 5-10 kt, which would result in a smoother touchdown rate. This can be achieved by increasing the rate of descent during the final stages of the approach, allowing the aircraft to touch down at a slower speed. Additionally, the pilot should focus on using a longer landing roll to slow the aircraft down gradually, reducing the load on the brakes and minimizing the risk of wheel spin or loss of control. With these adjustments, the pilot can aim to achieve a safer and more efficient landing.
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