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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 · 9 stages, 8 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 1,524 m of the approach.
Plan view — the first 1,524 m of the 1,800 m runway, to the same scale as the side view.
The 244 m touchdown sits inside the full-score zone. The 0.18 G arrival is the firm side of smooth.
The rest of the report
Departing from Cotswold Airport, Kemble, in Gloucestershire, England, the Cessna C195 began its takeoff roll on runway 26. The aircraft accelerated down the 1,110-meter runway, utilizing 69% of its available length, before lifting off at a speed of 79 knots. The local weather conditions were characterized by a temperature of 15 degrees Celsius and a light wind of 1 knot from 270 degrees, resulting in a negligible crosswind component.
As the aircraft transitioned into the enroute climb phase, it began to ascend from an initial altitude of 591 feet above sea level to 649 feet, a gain of 58 feet over a period of one minute. This climb was achieved while covering a distance of 2 nautical miles. The aircraft continued to climb, eventually establishing a heading of 78.0 degrees as it began its final approach to runway 08 at Cotswold Airport. The approach was characterized by a good threshold height and a threshold speed of 69 knots.
The Cessna C195 touched down on runway 08 with a speed of 54 knots, resulting in a touchdown distance of 241 meters. The touchdown rate was an impressive -67 feet per minute, and the runway touchdown alignment was perfect. Following touchdown, the aircraft maintained a perfect runway rollout alignment, utilizing only 32% of the available runway length. The total landing distance was 519 meters, and the aircraft utilized a total of 3 nautical miles of distance during the flight, consuming 1 kilogram of fuel in the process.
The aircraft touched down smoothly on runway 08 at EGBP Cotswold Airport, with a threshold height that was well within acceptable limits. The approach quality was excellent, with a threshold speed of 69 kt that was precisely maintained. As the aircraft made contact with the runway, the touchdown distance of 241 m was good, and the touchdown speed of 54 kt was also well within the desired range. The touchdown rate of -67 fpm was particularly impressive, demonstrating exceptional control and precision.
The runway touchdown alignment was perfect, with the aircraft centered on the runway's centerline. This was a testament to the pilot's skill and attention to detail, as well as the aircraft's responsiveness to control inputs. The local weather conditions, with a temperature of 15 °C and a gentle tailwind of 1 kt, also contributed to a smooth and controlled touchdown. The total landing distance of 519 m, which accounted for just 32% of the runway's length, was a further indication of the pilot's expertise.
The rollout phase was equally impressive, with the aircraft maintaining perfect alignment on the runway centerline. The pilot's control inputs were smooth and precise, allowing the aircraft to decelerate smoothly and come to a stop in a safe and controlled manner. Overall, the landing was a credit to the pilot's skill and experience, with a score of 97.7% reflecting the high level of proficiency demonstrated.
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