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MY FS FLIGHTS
Flight Score
Improve the takeoff
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
Events
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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: seven checks where the approach path is 300 ft above the runway. The 1,000 ft gate is an instrument-approach check and does not apply.
At the 300 ft gate: off the centreline.
The approach, gate by gate
Side view — the last 5,000 ft of the approach.
Plan view — the first 5,000 ft of the 7,006 ft runway, to the same scale as the side view.
The 1,123 ft touchdown sits inside the full-score zone. The arrival was smooth.
The rest of the report
The flight began with the departure roll from runway 33 at Aspen-Pitkin County Airport (Sardy Field), also known as KASE. The aircraft, Sirius, took off with a takeoff distance of 992 feet, which accounted for 14% of the runway. The liftoff speed was 53 knots, and the local weather conditions were favorable, with a temperature of 62 degrees Fahrenheit and a gentle wind of 6 knots at 150 degrees.
As the aircraft entered the right-hand pattern, it made a smooth entry from runway 33, covering a distance of less than 1 nautical mile in just 18 seconds. The right-hand pattern crosswind was also navigated efficiently, with the aircraft covering a distance of less than 1 nautical mile in 14 seconds.
The pattern downwind turn was executed with precision, with the aircraft covering a distance of 1 nautical mile at an angle of 71.3 degrees to the runway. The downwind leg itself was short, lasting less than 1 nautical mile in 38 seconds. The base leg turn was a bit longer, covering a distance of 2 nautical miles at an angle of 16.5 degrees to the runway.
The final approach to runway 33 was made from the south, with the aircraft heading 341.0 degrees at an altitude of 386 feet above ground level. The landing was smooth, with the aircraft touching down on the runway at a speed of 46 knots and a touchdown distance of 1,114 feet. The touchdown rate was excellent, at -56 feet per minute, and the runway touchdown position was slightly misaligned by 21 feet from the centerline.
The local weather conditions remained favorable, with a temperature of 61 degrees Fahrenheit and a gentle wind of 6 knots at 150 degrees. The total landing distance was 2,021 feet, which accounted for 29% of the runway. The runway rollout alignment was very good, and the aircraft came to a stop quickly.
After landing, the aircraft taxied to the parking area, covering a distance of less than 1 nautical mile in less than 1 minute. The total flight distance was 8 nautical miles, and the flight used 3 pounds of fuel. Overall, the flight was executed smoothly and efficiently, with the aircraft performing well in the local weather conditions.
The aircraft, identified as Sirius, successfully landed at KASE Aspen-Pitkin County Airport (Sardy Field) with a score of 96.8%. The final approach to runway 33 was initiated from the south, heading 341.0° at an altitude of 386 feet above ground level (agl) and 0 nautical miles from the runway.
Upon landing, the aircraft demonstrated good threshold height, with a threshold speed of 58 knots. The touchdown distance was also within acceptable limits at 1,114 feet, and the touchdown speed was 46 knots, which is considered good. The most notable aspect of the landing was the excellent touchdown rate of -56 feet per minute (fpm), indicating a smooth and controlled descent.
However, there was a slight deviation in the runway touchdown position, with the aircraft landing 21 feet off the centerline. This minor misalignment may have been due to factors such as wind or pilot error. The local weather conditions at the time of landing were favorable, with a temperature of 61°F and a wind speed of 6 knots from 150°. The crosswind component was minimal at 1 knot, while the tailwind component was 6 knots.
The total landing distance of 2,021 feet was 29% of the runway length, which is within acceptable limits. The runway rollout alignment was very good, indicating that the aircraft was able to maintain a stable and controlled path after touchdown. Overall, the landing was considered successful, with the aircraft demonstrating good control and precision throughout the approach and touchdown phases.
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