Events
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Events
Events
MY FS FLIGHTS
Flight Score
Departure
Use smoother, smaller aileron inputs to keep the wings level and hold bank angle near wings-level during the climb.
What happened: During the climb, bank angle rose to 1.4°, more roll than the climb out called for.
Watch for: Attitude indicator: wings level during the climb
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 · 14 stages, 12 in the score
Events
Events
Events
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Events
The threshold, the flare and the hold-off. The approach that led to it is the stabilisation gates below.
One stabilised approach gate: seven checks where the approach path is 300 ft above the runway. The 1,000 ft gate was not assessed, because the approach did not join final that far out.
At the 300 ft gate: off the runway's 3° glideslope and off the centreline.
The approach, gate by gate
Side view — the last 2,937 ft of the approach.
Plan view — the full 2,937 ft runway, to the same scale as the side view.
The 1,274 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 6 minutes and covered a distance of 1 nautical mile. The aircraft, a Piper PA-24-250 Comanche, then departed from runway 10 at Cherry Capital Airport (KTVC) in Traverse City, Michigan. The takeoff distance was 585 feet, which accounted for 8% of the runway length. The liftoff speed was 59 knots.
As the aircraft took off, it encountered local weather conditions with a temperature of 70°F and winds of 6 knots at 40°. The crosswind was 5 knots, while the headwind was 3 knots. After departing from KTVC, the aircraft began its enroute climb, which started overhead the airport. The climb took 1 minute and covered a distance of 1 nautical mile, during which the aircraft ascended from 992 feet above sea level to 1,913 feet above sea level, an increase of 922 feet.
Following the climb, the aircraft entered a level cruise, which lasted for 5 minutes and covered a distance of 8 nautical miles. This cruise phase took place 1 mile east of Traverse City. The aircraft then began its enroute descent, which started 2 miles southeast of Miller-Herrold Airport (28MI) in Cedar, Michigan. The descent took 2 minutes and covered a distance of 3 nautical miles, during which the aircraft descended from 2,934 feet above sea level to 2,327 feet above sea level, a decrease of 607 feet.
After the descent, the aircraft entered another level cruise phase, which lasted for 4 minutes and covered a distance of 1 nautical mile. This cruise phase took place 1 mile north of Miller-Herrold Airport. The aircraft then began its final approach to runway 02 at Sugar Loaf Resort Airport (Y04), approaching from the south at a heading of 22.0°. The aircraft was at an altitude of 164 feet above ground level and 0 nautical miles from the runway.
The landing on runway 02 was successful, with a touchdown distance of 1,269 feet, which was 64% of the runway length. The touchdown speed was 43 knots, and the touchdown rate was -46 feet per minute, which was perfect. The runway touchdown alignment was also perfect. The local weather conditions during the landing were a temperature of 66°F and winds of 3 knots at 13°, with a crosswind of 0 knots and a headwind of 3 knots.
The total landing distance was 1,892 feet, and the runway rollout alignment was perfect. The total flight distance was 16 nautical miles, and the flight duration was 15 minutes. The aircraft used 16 pounds of fuel during the flight.
The Piper PA-24-250 Comanche successfully landed at Y04 Sugar Loaf Resort Airport, demonstrating exceptional piloting skills. The aircraft approached the runway from the south, heading 22.0° at an altitude of 164 feet above ground level (agl) and 0 nautical miles from the runway. This precise approach allowed the pilot to maintain control and execute a smooth landing.
Upon touchdown, the aircraft's speed was 68 knots, which is an optimal threshold speed for a safe landing. The touchdown distance of 1,269 feet was also within the acceptable range, indicating that the pilot had sufficient control over the aircraft's descent. The touchdown speed of 43 knots was another indicator of a well-executed landing, as it was significantly lower than the threshold speed.
One of the most impressive aspects of this landing was the touchdown rate, which was a perfect -46 feet per minute (fpm). This rate suggests that the pilot had expertly controlled the aircraft's descent, ensuring a smooth and safe touchdown. Additionally, the runway touchdown alignment was perfect, indicating that the pilot had maintained the aircraft's alignment with the runway throughout the approach.
The local weather conditions at the time of the landing were favorable, with a temperature of 66°F and a gentle headwind of 3 knots at 13°. The absence of any significant crosswind or tailwind made the landing even more challenging, but the pilot's skills and experience allowed them to navigate these conditions with ease.
The total landing distance of 1,892 feet was 64% of the runway length, which is a relatively short distance considering the aircraft's size and weight. This suggests that the pilot had expertly controlled the aircraft's descent and rollout, ensuring a safe and efficient landing. Finally, the runway rollout alignment was perfect, indicating that the pilot had maintained control over the aircraft throughout the landing process. Overall, this landing was a testament to the pilot's exceptional skills and experience.
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