Events
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 · 15 stages, 14 scored
Events
One stabilised approach gate for a circuit: six 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. These checks are the approach's score.
The approach, gate by gate
Side view — the last 906 m of the approach.
Plan view — the full 906 m runway, to the same scale as the side view.
The 104 m touchdown sits inside the full-score zone. The arrival was smooth.
The rest of the report
The Taylorcraft BC-12D taxied to runway 22 at EGHN Isle of Wight / Sandown Airport and commenced the departure roll. The take-off run consumed 111 m, representing 12 % of the available runway, and the aircraft lifted off at 25 kt. Ambient conditions were 15 °C with a wind of 2 kt from 270°, including a 1 kt cross-wind and a 1 kt head-wind component.
During the climb the aircraft entered a right-hand pattern from runway 22, covering less than 1 nm in 27 seconds. The subsequent right-hand cross-wind leg was also under 1 nm and required 12 seconds. A downwind turn of 1 nm was executed at a 61.2° angle to the runway, followed by a downwind leg of 2 nm completed in 78 seconds. The base-leg turn spanned 1 nm at a 26.5° angle, after which the base leg itself was less than 1 nm and lasted 11 seconds. The final turn to the approach course covered less than 1 nm in 23 seconds.
The descent phase began on final approach to runway 22, with the aircraft descending from 961 ft AGL to 18 ft AGL in 67 seconds. The descent was recorded as having scored on the stabilisation gates.
On final approach the aircraft maintained the same weather parameters-15 °C, wind 2 kt from 270° with 1 kt cross-wind and 1 kt head-wind-as earlier in the flight. The approach was completed without deviation, positioning the aircraft for touchdown.
Landing was achieved on runway 22, whose length is 906 m. The threshold speed of 33 kt was well below the target, and the aircraft touched down 101 m from the threshold at 25 kt with a smooth vertical speed of minus 147 fpm. The touchdown point was offset 13.7 m from the centreline, and the total landing roll measured 137 m, equivalent to 15 % of the runway.
Rollout continued with the aircraft remaining slightly off-centreline by 13.7 m as it decelerated along the runway.
In summary, the flight covered a total distance of 5 nm, required 4 minutes of elapsed time, and consumed 1 kg of fuel.
The aircraft entered the final approach to runway 22 at EGHN Isle of Wight / Sandown Airport, descending from 961 ft AGL to 18 ft AGL in 67 seconds and scoring on the stabilisation gates; local weather was 15 °C with a wind of 2 kt from 270°, comprising a 1 kt cross-wind and a 1 kt head-wind.
At threshold the height was described as good and the threshold speed was 33 kt, noted as well below target with a reminder to take care not to stall.
Touchdown occurred 101 m down the runway, with a touchdown speed of 25 kt judged good and a smooth touchdown rate of minus 147 fpm; the runway touchdown position was misaligned by 13.7 m from the centreline and the total landing distance was 137 m, representing 15 % of the 906 m runway.
During rollout the aircraft remained slightly misaligned, the rollout alignment being off by 13.7 m from the centreline.
Maintain the target threshold speed to preserve a safe margin above stall while keeping the aircraft aligned with the centreline; monitor lateral position during flare and rollout to reduce the 13.7 m offset and achieve a more centered touchdown and rollout.
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