Events
Events
Events
Events
Events
MY FS FLIGHTS
Flight Score
Departure
Apply small rudder corrections against a point at the far end of the runway to hold the centreline during the roll.
What happened: The aircraft tracked 14 m off the runway centreline during the ground roll, and flights with this pattern usually carry extra bank, around 6.4°, into the first climb.
Watch for: Heading indicator: wings level, tracking the runway centreline
Arrival
Make one smooth continuous pitch input through the flare rather than chasing the runway with the elevator.
What happened: The flare was pumped, with pitch reversing direction several times on the way down instead of one smooth input.
Watch for: Watch the pitch attitude trend through the flare, aiming for a single steady rise through 9.2° with no reversals.
See Arrival Landing
A small uncorrected heading error at 40 knots becomes a metre of offset per second by 100 knots, noticed only at rotation, producing a crabbed liftoff. Root cause is nearly always eyes on the tape instead of the far end of the runway. Small heading changes displace a distant point visibly long before the nearby centreline stripes look wrong.
Read more in Improve Your Take-OffsStart to finish · 14 stages, 13 scored
Events
Events
Events
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: seven checks where the approach path is 300 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 1,529 m runway, to the same scale as the side view.
The 345 m touchdown sits inside the full-score zone. The arrival was smooth.
The rest of the report
The flight, operated by a DA40-NG aircraft, began with a departure roll from Gibraltar Airport's runway 27. The takeoff distance covered 304 meters, which accounted for just 20% of the runway's length. At 76 knots, the pilot successfully achieved liftoff speed.
With a local temperature of 16°C and a gentle wind of 1 knot from 270°, the pilot entered a left-hand traffic pattern. The entry into the pattern from the runway 27 was executed efficiently, covering a distance of less than one nautical mile in just 52 seconds. The subsequent crosswind turn also demonstrated fine control, taking around 19 seconds within the given constraints.
The DA40-NG aircraft followed standard traffic pattern procedures, proceeding to the downwind turn, where it covered 2 nautical miles before turning to approach alignment. The downwind leg was 2 nautical miles long and lasted 70 seconds, while the base leg took up another 2 nautical miles in 112 seconds. This was followed by a final turn lasting less than a nautical mile and taking just 16 seconds.
As the aircraft approached the runway, it was at 430 feet above ground level (agl), heading 268.0° at a distance of 1 nautical mile. With a threshold height appearing good and a threshold speed well above the recommended target at 78 knots, the pilot lined up for landing on runway 27.
Landing on a runway measuring 1,529 meters in length, the DA40-NG touched down at 344 meters, with a touchdown speed of 58 knots, indicating a smooth landing. The touchdown rate of -120 feet per minute was also within the acceptable parameters. Moreover, the runway touchdown alignment was considered excellent.
The local weather at the time of landing remained the same as at takeoff, with a temperature of 16°C and a gentle headwind of 1 knot from 270°. Overall, the landing was considered a successful performance. After the landing, the pilot rolled out, and the runway rollout alignment was also deemed exceptional. The total landing distance covered 620 meters, equivalent to 41% of the runway's length.
The DA40-NG completed the flight, using 1 kilogram of fuel and covering a total distance of 8 nautical miles within the flight's time duration of 7 minutes.
The DA40-NG aircraft has successfully completed a landing at LXGB Gibraltar Airport, demonstrating a high level of skill and control. With a score of 94.0%, this exercise showcases the pilot's ability to navigate and execute the final approach and landing with precision.
The aircraft's final approach was conducted from the east, heading towards the runway 27 approach path indicator at a distance of 1 nautical mile and an altitude of 430 feet above ground level. This positioning indicates a well-executed approach configuration, suggesting that the pilot had a clear understanding of the aircraft's rate of descent and was able to maintain a stable and controlled approach.
Upon touching down on the runway, the aircraft demonstrated a smooth touchdown at 58 knots, which is significantly below the target threshold speed of 78 knots. This indicates that the pilot effectively managed the aircraft's airspeed, making adjustments to ensure a safe and stable touchdown. The touchdown distance of 344 meters was also within a reasonable range, demonstrating the pilot's ability to control the aircraft's deceleration and landing phase.
The landing rate of -120 feet per minute was a smooth and controlled descent, which further emphasizes the pilot's skill and ability to manage the aircraft's altitude during the final approach and landing phases. The runway touchdown alignment was very good, indicating that the pilot was able to maintain a precise alignment with the runway centerline, ensuring a safe and stable landing.
The local weather conditions at the time of the landing were favorable, with a temperature of 16 degrees Celsius and a relatively calm wind of 1 knot from the northwest. This lack of wind made it easier for the pilot to navigate the final approach and landing, allowing them to focus on precise control and alignment.
Overall, this landing exercise showcases the pilot's ability to navigate complex flight maneuvers with precision and control. The high score achieved indicates a high level of proficiency and a solid understanding of the aircraft's dynamics and handling characteristics.
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