Events
Events
Events
Events
Events
Events
MY FS FLIGHTS
Flight Score
Improve the pattern downwind leg
The 45-degrees-behind-the-wing cue assumes you can turn your head and use peripheral vision. Downwind spacing cues like "put the wingtip halfway up the strut" assume a fixed, known eyepoint. Neither survives a monitor unmodified. If you fly on a fixed monitor, stop pretending and fly a numbers-based circuit.
Read more in Pattern WorkStart to finish · 17 stages, 15 scored
Events
Events
Events
Events
Events
Events
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 2,737 m runway, to the same scale as the side view.
The 413 m touchdown sits inside the full-score zone. The arrival was smooth.
The rest of the report
The flight began with the aircraft, a GA-8 Airvan CAP Commuter, taxiing from the parking area to the runway at EGPK Glasgow Prestwick Airport. This process took less than a minute and covered a distance of less than 1 nautical mile. The aircraft then departed from runway 30, with a takeoff distance of 344 meters, which accounted for 13% of the runway's total length. The liftoff speed was 80 knots.
As the aircraft took to the skies, it encountered local weather conditions with a temperature of 16 degrees Celsius and a wind speed of 2 knots at 270 degrees. The crosswind was 1 knot, while the headwind was 2 knots. The pilot then entered a right-hand pattern from runway 30, covering a distance of less than 1 nautical mile in 20 seconds. The aircraft then proceeded to complete the pattern, including a downwind turn, downwind leg, base leg turn, base leg, and final turn.
The final approach to runway 30 was made from the south-east, with a heading of 302.0 degrees at an altitude of 205 feet above ground level (agl) and a distance of 0 nautical miles from the runway. The landing was successful, with a touchdown distance of 411 meters, which was considered good. The touchdown speed was 60 knots, and the touchdown rate was excellent at -66 feet per minute (fpm). The runway touchdown alignment was very good, and the local weather conditions remained the same, with a temperature of 15 degrees Celsius and a wind speed of 2 knots at 270 degrees.
The total landing distance was 655 meters, which accounted for 24% of the runway's total length. The runway rollout alignment was perfect, indicating a smooth and controlled landing. The total flight distance was 6 nautical miles, and the flight duration was 7 minutes. The aircraft used 3 kilograms of fuel during the flight.
The GA-8 Airvan CAP Commuter successfully landed at EGPK Glasgow Prestwick Airport, showcasing exceptional piloting skills and adherence to safety protocols. The aircraft approached the runway from the south east, aligning itself with the designated heading of 302.0° at a mere 0 nm distance and 205 ft above ground level (agl). This precise control allowed the aircraft to maintain a stable and controlled descent, ultimately resulting in a smooth touchdown.
Upon landing, the aircraft demonstrated a satisfactory threshold height, adhering to the recommended speed of 77 kt. The touchdown distance of 411 m was also within acceptable limits, indicating a well-executed landing. The touchdown speed of 60 kt was slightly lower than the threshold speed, which is a desirable outcome as it reduces the risk of overrunning the runway. Furthermore, the touchdown rate of -66 fpm was exceptional, signifying a gentle and controlled descent.
The local weather conditions at the time of landing were favorable, with a temperature of 15°C and a gentle wind of 2 kt at 270°. The crosswind component was minimal at 1 kt, while the headwind component was 2 kt, providing a stable and predictable environment for the landing. The total landing distance of 655 m was only 24% of the runway length, indicating a well-executed landing and a high degree of control.
The runway rollout alignment was perfect, demonstrating the pilot's ability to maintain control and stability during the critical phase of landing. Overall, the landing was a testament to the pilot's skill and experience, as well as the aircraft's capabilities. The GA-8 Airvan CAP Commuter's performance at EGPK Glasgow Prestwick Airport was exemplary, with a score of 99.2% indicating a near-perfect landing.
Scroll or drag the slider to zoom · double-click to reset · hover for values