Events
Events
Events
Events
Events
MY FS FLIGHTS
Flight Score
Improve the pattern downwind leg
The 45-degrees-behind-the-wing cue assumes you can turn your head and use peripheral vision. Downwind spacing cues like "put the wingtip halfway up the strut" assume a fixed, known eyepoint. Neither survives a monitor unmodified. If you fly on a fixed monitor, stop pretending and fly a numbers-based circuit.
Read more in Pattern WorkStart to finish · 18 stages, 16 scored
Events
Events
Events
Events
Events
One stabilised approach gate for a circuit: six checks at the point nearest 500 ft above the runway after the base turn. The 1,000 ft gate is an instrument-approach check and does not apply.
The approach, gate by gate
Side view — the last 5,000 ft of the approach.
Plan view — the first 5,000 ft of the 6,042 ft runway, to the same scale as the side view.
The 975 ft 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 12 minutes and covered a distance of 2 nautical miles. The aircraft, a PA28 Warrior II, then departed from runway 07 at the Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (KSBA). The takeoff distance was 1,663 feet, which accounted for 28% of the runway length. The liftoff speed was 69 knots.
The local weather conditions at the time of takeoff were characterized by a temperature of 68 degrees Fahrenheit and a wind speed of 3 knots from a direction of 225 degrees. The crosswind component was 2 knots, while the tailwind component was also 2 knots. The pilot then entered a right-hand pattern from runway 07, completing the entry in less than 1 nautical mile in 23 seconds.
The right-hand pattern crosswind leg was completed in 34 seconds, covering a distance of less than 1 nautical mile. The pilot then initiated a pattern downwind turn, which covered a distance of 1 nautical mile and involved an angle of 69.4 degrees to the runway. The downwind leg itself was 3 nautical miles long and took 103 seconds to complete.
The pilot then turned onto the base leg, which covered a distance of 2 nautical miles and involved an angle of 33.7 degrees to the runway. The base leg itself was less than 1 nautical mile long and took 19 seconds to complete. The final turn was also less than 1 nautical mile long and took 38 seconds to complete.
The final approach to runway 07 was made from the west, with the aircraft heading 87.0 degrees at an altitude of 371 feet above ground level and a distance of 1 nautical mile from the runway. The landing was successful, with the aircraft touching down on the runway at a speed of 59 knots. The touchdown distance was 967 feet, which was 29% of the runway length.
The local weather conditions at the time of landing were the same as those at the time of takeoff, with a temperature of 68 degrees Fahrenheit and a wind speed of 3 knots from a direction of 225 degrees. The crosswind component was 2 knots, while the tailwind component was also 2 knots. The runway touchdown alignment was perfect, and the runway rollout alignment was also perfect.
The total landing distance was 1,756 feet, which was 29% of the runway length. The total flight distance was 11 nautical miles, and the flight used 6 pounds of fuel.
The PA28 Warrior II aircraft successfully landed at KSBA Santa Barbara Municipal Airport, achieving a near-perfect score of 99.9%. The final approach to runway 07 was conducted from the west, with the aircraft heading 87.0° at 1 nautical mile and 371 feet above ground level (agl). This approach was executed with precision, taking into account the local weather conditions.
The temperature at the time of landing was a comfortable 68°F, with a gentle wind blowing at 3 knots from a direction of 225°. This resulted in a minimal crosswind of 2 knots and a slight tailwind of 2 knots, which did not significantly impact the aircraft's performance. The pilot's ability to adapt to these conditions and maintain control of the aircraft is a testament to their skill and experience.
Upon touchdown, the aircraft's speed was 59 knots, which is well within the recommended threshold speed of 66 knots. The touchdown distance of 967 feet was also satisfactory, indicating that the pilot had maintained a steady and controlled descent. The touchdown rate of -165 feet per minute (fpm) was within the acceptable range, further demonstrating the pilot's expertise.
The most impressive aspect of this landing was the aircraft's alignment with the runway. The runway touchdown alignment was perfect, and the rollout alignment was also spot on, indicating that the pilot had maintained control of the aircraft throughout the entire landing process. The total landing distance of 1,756 feet was only 29% of the runway length, which is an excellent achievement.
Overall, this landing was a textbook example of a well-executed approach and landing, with the pilot demonstrating exceptional skill and control throughout the entire process. The PA28 Warrior II aircraft performed admirably, and the pilot's ability to navigate the aircraft safely and efficiently is a credit to their training and experience.
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