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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 · 17 stages, 15 scored
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The threshold, the flare and the hold-off. The approach that led to it is the stabilisation gates below.
One stabilised approach gate: five checks where the approach path is 500 ft above the runway. The 1,000 ft gate was not assessed, because the approach did not join final that far out.
The approach, gate by gate
Side view — the last 3,440 ft of the approach.
Plan view — the full 3,440 ft runway, to the same scale as the side view.
The 390 ft touchdown sits inside the full-score zone. The arrival was smooth.
The rest of the report
The flight began with a short taxiing period from the parking area to the runway, taking approximately 1 minute and covering less than 1 nautical mile. The aircraft, a Cessna CJ4 Citation, then departed from runway 01 at KFOK Francis S Gabreski Airport. The takeoff distance was 2,191 feet, which accounted for 44% of the runway length. The liftoff speed was 157 knots.
As the aircraft climbed, it encountered local weather conditions with a temperature of 60°F and a wind speed of 2 knots at 270°. The crosswind was 2 knots, while the headwind was 0 knots. The enroute climb started 1 mile east of Riverside, New York, and reached an altitude of 5,010 feet above sea level, increasing by 3,883 feet in 3 minutes and covering 10 nautical miles.
Following the climb, the aircraft entered a level cruise phase, which began 5 miles northwest of Northville, New York. This phase lasted for 5 minutes and covered 18 nautical miles. The descent phase started 4 miles north of Guilford, Connecticut, and involved a decrease in altitude from 5,006 feet to 641 feet above sea level, a drop of 4,365 feet in 7 minutes and covering 20 nautical miles.
The final approach to runway 02 at KHFD Hartford Brainard Airport was made from the south, with a heading of 25.0° at 2 nautical miles and 626 feet above ground level. The landing on the runway was successful, with a touchdown distance of 393 feet, which was 45% of the runway length. The touchdown speed was 102 knots, which was slightly faster than the target speed. The touchdown rate was firm at -379 feet per minute, and the runway touchdown alignment was perfect.
The local weather conditions at the time of landing were a temperature of 59°F and a wind speed of 2 knots at 270°, with a crosswind of 2 knots and a headwind of 0 knots. The total landing distance was 1,562 feet, and the runway rollout alignment was very good. The taxiing period from the runway to the parking area took less than 1 minute and covered less than 1 nautical mile. The total flight distance was 53 nautical miles, and the flight duration was 19 minutes, with no fuel consumption.
The Cessna CJ4 Citation successfully landed at KHFD Hartford Brainard Airport, achieving a score of 97.0%. The aircraft approached the runway from the south, heading 25.0° at 2 nautical miles and 626 feet above ground level (agl). The pilot executed a precise final approach, aligning perfectly with the runway threshold.
Upon touchdown, the aircraft's speed was slightly above the target threshold speed, reaching 106 knots. This indicates that the pilot maintained a safe margin of speed to ensure a controlled descent. The touchdown distance of 393 feet was also within acceptable limits, demonstrating the pilot's ability to manage the aircraft's descent and landing.
However, the touchdown speed of 102 knots was slightly faster than desired, resulting in a firm touchdown rate of -379 feet per minute (fpm). This may indicate that the pilot could have applied a bit more back pressure on the yoke to slow the aircraft down before touchdown. Nevertheless, the firm touchdown rate did not compromise the safety of the landing.
The runway touchdown alignment was perfect, indicating that the pilot maintained a steady course and avoided any deviations from the centerline. The local weather conditions were favorable, with a temperature of 59°F and a light wind of 2 knots from 270°. The crosswind component was minimal, and the headwind was negligible, making the landing conditions ideal.
The total landing distance of 1,562 feet was 45% of the runway length, which is a reasonable distance considering the aircraft's size and weight. The runway rollout alignment was also very good, indicating that the pilot maintained control of the aircraft during the rollout phase and avoided any deviations from the centerline.
Overall, the landing was executed smoothly and safely, with the pilot demonstrating a high level of skill and proficiency. The score of 97.0% reflects the pilot's ability to manage the aircraft's descent, landing, and rollout phases, making this a successful and safe landing.
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