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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 · 16 stages, 14 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.
Side view — the last 1,524 m of the approach.
Plan view — the first 1,524 m of the 1,893 m runway, to the same scale as the side view.
Touched down 622 m past the threshold — beyond the full-score zone. The arrival was smooth.
The rest of the report
The flight began with a departure roll from runway 03 at EFMA Mariehamn Airport. The aircraft, an ATR 72, accelerated down the runway and lifted off at a speed of 121 knots. The takeoff distance was 295 meters, which accounted for 16% of the runway length.
As the aircraft entered the local airspace, it encountered a temperature of 17 degrees Celsius and a wind speed of 2 knots from a direction of 270 degrees. The crosswind component was 2 knots, while the tailwind component was 1 knot. The pilot navigated the aircraft into a right-hand pattern, entering the turn from runway 03. The distance covered during this turn was 4 nautical miles in 43 seconds.
Upon completing the initial turn, the aircraft entered a right-hand pattern crosswind turn, which was completed in less than 1 nautical mile in 8 seconds. The pilot then initiated a pattern downwind turn, covering a distance of 5 nautical miles at an angle of 45 degrees to the runway. The downwind leg itself was short, lasting less than 1 nautical mile in 7 seconds.
The pilot then turned onto the base leg, covering a distance of 5 nautical miles at an angle of 175.8 degrees to the runway. The final approach was made to runway 21 from the north, with the aircraft heading 193.0 degrees at an altitude of 1,020 feet above ground level and 2 nautical miles from the runway.
The landing was executed on runway 21, which had a length of 1,893 meters. The threshold height was slightly above the target, and the threshold speed was well above the target at 122 knots. The touchdown point was 195 meters beyond the touchdown zone, and the touchdown speed was a little fast at 110 knots. However, the touchdown rate was smooth at -135 feet per minute, and the runway touchdown alignment was perfect.
The local weather conditions during the landing were a temperature of 15 degrees Celsius and a wind speed of 2 knots from a direction of 270 degrees, with a crosswind component of 2 knots and a headwind component of 1 knot. The total landing distance was 1,028 meters, which accounted for 54% of the runway length. The runway rollout alignment was very good, indicating a smooth and controlled descent.
The total flight distance was 14 nautical miles, and the flight duration was 5 minutes. The aircraft used 36 kilograms of fuel during the flight.
The ATR 72 aircraft successfully landed at EFMA Mariehamn Airport, achieving a score of 97.6%. The final approach to runway 21 was conducted from the north, with a heading of 193.0° at 2 nautical miles and 1,020 feet above ground level (agl). The aircraft's approach was well-executed, with a smooth touchdown rate of -135 feet per minute (fpm).
Upon landing, the aircraft touched down 195 meters beyond the touchdown zone, which is slightly beyond the ideal point. However, the touchdown speed of 110 knots was a little fast, indicating that the pilot may have been able to flare the aircraft more effectively to achieve a smoother touchdown. The threshold height at 56 feet agl was slightly above the target, and the threshold speed was well above the target at 122 knots.
The local weather conditions at the time of landing were favorable, with a temperature of 15°C and a light wind of 2 knots at 270°. The crosswind component was minimal at 2 knots, and the headwind component was 1 knot. These conditions contributed to a smooth and stable approach.
The total landing distance of 1,028 meters was 54% of the runway length, indicating that the aircraft was able to stop within a reasonable distance. The runway rollout alignment was very good, demonstrating the pilot's ability to maintain control of the aircraft during the rollout phase.
Overall, the landing was successful, with the aircraft achieving a high score of 97.6%. While there were some minor deviations from the ideal approach and touchdown, the pilot's skills and the aircraft's performance were sufficient to ensure a safe and smooth landing.
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