Events
Events
Events
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, 13 scored
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: 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 978 m of the approach.
Plan view — the full 978 m runway, to the same scale as the side view.
The 88 m 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 approximately 5 minutes and covered a distance of less than 1 nautical mile. The aircraft, a Cessna Skyhawk, then departed from runway 05 at KVDF Tampa Executive Airport. The takeoff distance was 243 meters, which accounted for 19% of the runway length. The liftoff speed was 50 knots, and the local weather conditions were characterized by a temperature of 29 degrees Celsius and a wind speed of 2 knots at 320 degrees.
As the aircraft entered the left-hand pattern from runway 05, it covered a distance of less than 1 nautical mile in just 11 seconds. The left-hand pattern crosswind leg was slightly longer, covering a distance of 1 nautical mile in 46 seconds. The pattern downwind turn was a 45-degree angle to the runway, with a distance of 1 nautical mile. The downwind leg itself was 2 nautical miles long and took 65 seconds to complete.
The pattern base leg turn was another 45-degree angle to the runway, with a distance of 1 nautical mile. The final approach to runway 36 at KVDF Tampa Executive Airport was made from the south, with a heading of 0.0 degrees at 1 nautical mile and an altitude of 235 feet above ground level. The landing on runway 36 was successful, with a touchdown distance of 86 meters and a touchdown speed of 36 knots. The touchdown rate was fair at -293 feet per minute, but the runway touchdown alignment was very good.
The local weather conditions during the landing were the same as those during takeoff, with a temperature of 29 degrees Celsius and a wind speed of 2 knots at 320 degrees. The crosswind was 1 knot, and the headwind was 2 knots. The total landing distance was 159 meters, which accounted for 16% of the runway length. The runway rollout alignment was perfect, indicating a smooth and controlled landing. The total flight distance was 7 nautical miles, and the flight used 2 kilograms of fuel.
The Cessna Skyhawk successfully landed at KVDF Tampa Executive Airport, achieving a score of 96.2%. The aircraft approached the runway from the south, heading directly towards the runway 36 threshold. At a distance of 1 nautical mile and an altitude of 235 feet above ground level (agl), the pilot maintained a steady course.
Upon reaching the runway threshold, the pilot executed a smooth landing, with the aircraft touching down at a speed of 36 knots. This was well within the target speed, and the pilot demonstrated good control to avoid stalling the aircraft. The touchdown distance of 86 meters was also satisfactory, indicating a well-executed approach.
The local weather conditions at the time of landing were favorable, with a temperature of 29°C and a gentle wind of 2 knots from a direction of 320°. This resulted in a minimal crosswind component of 1 knot and a headwind of 2 knots, which the pilot effectively managed during the landing.
The pilot's performance during the rollout was exemplary, with perfect alignment on the runway. This is a critical aspect of landing, as it ensures the aircraft remains stable and under control during the critical phase of landing. The total landing distance of 159 meters was only 16% of the runway length, indicating a safe and efficient landing.
Overall, the Cessna Skyhawk's landing at KVDF Tampa Executive Airport was a success, with the pilot demonstrating excellent skills and control throughout the approach and landing phases. The score of 96.2% reflects the high standard of flying achieved by the pilot on this occasion.
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