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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 · 13 stages, 12 scored
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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.
Touched down 691 m past the threshold — beyond the full-score zone. The arrival was smooth.
The rest of the report
The flight began with a departure roll from runway 30 at EGPK Glasgow Prestwick Airport. The Cessna 337 aircraft accelerated down the runway, reaching a liftoff speed of 68 kt. The takeoff distance was 253 m, which accounted for 9% of the runway length. The local weather conditions at the time of departure were characterized by a temperature of 15 °C and a wind speed of 2 kt from 270 °, resulting in a negligible crosswind and a headwind of 2 kt.
As the aircraft entered the left-hand pattern, it followed a standard procedure, turning from the runway and heading towards the downwind leg. The distance covered during this turn was less than 1 nm, and it was completed in 121 seconds. The subsequent crosswind turn was also executed efficiently, with the aircraft covering a distance of less than 1 nm in just 29 seconds.
The downwind turn was a critical phase of the flight, where the aircraft turned towards the runway while maintaining a safe distance. The angle to the runway was 45 degrees, and the aircraft covered a distance of 3 nm during this turn. The downwind leg itself was short, lasting only 8 seconds as the aircraft flew less than 1 nm.
The final approach to runway 12 was initiated from the north-west, with the aircraft heading 124.0 ° at an altitude of 671 ft above ground level (agl) and a distance of 2 nm from the runway. The landing was executed successfully, with the aircraft touching down 248 m beyond the touchdown zone. The touchdown speed was 67 kt, which was considered good, and the touchdown rate was an excellent -89 fpm. The runway touchdown alignment was also very good.
The local weather conditions at the time of landing were similar to those at departure, with a temperature of 16 °C and a wind speed of 2 kt from 270 °, resulting in a negligible crosswind and a tailwind of 2 kt. The total flight distance was 7 nm, and the flight duration was 6 minutes. The aircraft used 4 kg of fuel during the flight.
The Cessna 337 aircraft successfully landed at EGPK Glasgow Prestwick Airport, achieving a score of 94.3%. The final approach was conducted from the north-west, heading 124.0° at 2 nautical miles and 671 feet above ground level (agl). The aircraft successfully touched down on runway 12, which has a length of 2,737 meters.
The threshold height was reported as good, indicating that the aircraft was at the correct height as it approached the runway. However, the threshold speed was too high at 94 knots, suggesting that the pilot may have been able to reduce the speed further before touchdown. The touchdown point was 248 meters beyond the touchdown zone, which is a relatively safe distance but could be improved upon.
The touchdown speed of 67 knots was reported as good, indicating that the pilot was able to control the aircraft's descent and speed effectively. The touchdown rate of -89 feet per minute (fpm) was also excellent, suggesting that the pilot was able to achieve a smooth and controlled touchdown. The runway touchdown alignment was very good, indicating that the aircraft was aligned with the runway centerline at touchdown.
The local weather conditions at the time of the landing were favorable, with a temperature of 16°C and a wind speed of 2 knots from 270°. The crosswind component was minimal at 1 knot, and the tailwind component was 2 knots, which is relatively weak. Overall, the landing was successful, and the pilot demonstrated good control and technique.
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