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MY FS FLIGHTS
Flight Score
Improve the pattern final turn
From abeam the threshold, fly roughly 30 to 45 seconds before turning base, in nil wind at 172 speeds. Treat that as a starting value and calibrate it. If your finals keep coming out at 400 ft instead of 500, add a few seconds. Then adjust for wind, roughly a second per knot of headwind on final (a headwind on final is a tailwind on downwind, carrying you further from the field per second).
Read more in Pattern WorkStart to finish · 16 stages, 14 scored
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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 660 m of the approach.
Plan view — the full 660 m runway, to the same scale as the side view.
The 56 m touchdown sits inside the full-score zone. The arrival was smooth.
The rest of the report
The flight began with a departure roll from runway 11 at EGGL Haydock Park Airstrip. The aircraft, a VL3, accelerated down the runway, covering a distance of 251 meters, which accounted for 38% of the runway's length. The liftoff speed was achieved at 80 knots, marking the start of the flight.
As the aircraft took to the skies, it encountered local weather conditions with a temperature of 15 degrees Celsius and a wind speed of 3 knots at a direction of 30 degrees. The crosswind component was 3 knots, while the headwind component was 1 knot. The pilot navigated the aircraft through a right-hand pattern entry from runway 11, completing the maneuver in less than 1 nautical mile in 181 seconds.
The right-hand pattern crosswind was executed with ease, covering a distance of less than 1 nautical mile in just 4 seconds. The pilot then proceeded to the pattern downwind turn, which involved a distance of 4 nautical miles and an angle to the runway of 11.2 degrees. The downwind leg itself was completed in less than 1 nautical mile in 4 seconds.
The base leg turn was another critical phase of the flight, requiring a distance of 4 nautical miles and an angle to the runway of 169.4 degrees. The base leg was completed in less than 1 nautical mile in 4 seconds. The final turn, which brought the aircraft onto the final approach, covered a distance of 4 nautical miles in 501 seconds.
As the aircraft approached the runway, it was heading 110 degrees at an altitude of 95 feet above ground level (agl) and 0 nautical miles from the runway. The pilot executed a smooth landing on runway 11, taking care to maintain a threshold speed of 43 knots to avoid stalling. The touchdown distance was good, covering 53 meters, while the touchdown speed of 40 knots and the touchdown rate of -181 feet per minute (fpm) were also satisfactory.
The runway touchdown alignment was perfect, and the total landing distance was 187 meters, accounting for 28% of the runway's length. However, the runway rollout alignment was slightly misaligned by 7.8 meters from the centerline. The total flight distance was 6 nautical miles, and the flight duration was 15 minutes. The aircraft used 1 kilogram of fuel during the flight.
The VL3 aircraft successfully landed at EGGL Haydock Park Airstrip, achieving a high score of 97.8%. The final approach to runway 11 was conducted from the west, with the aircraft heading 110.0° at 0 nm and 95 ft above ground level (agl). The pilot demonstrated good control and precision, ensuring a smooth landing on the 660-meter runway.
The threshold height was reported as good, and the threshold speed of 43 kt was well below the target, indicating a cautious approach to avoid stalling. The touchdown distance of 53 meters was also good, and the touchdown speed of 40 kt was within acceptable limits. The touchdown rate of -181 fpm was also satisfactory, indicating a controlled descent.
The local weather conditions at the time of landing were favorable, with a temperature of 15°C and a gentle wind of 3 kt at 33°. The crosswind component was minimal at 3 kt, while the headwind component was 1 kt. These conditions contributed to a stable and predictable landing.
However, there was a slight deviation in the runway rollout alignment, with the aircraft being 7.8 meters off-centerline. This minor misalignment was the only notable issue in an otherwise excellent landing. The total landing distance of 187 meters was 28% of the runway length, indicating a controlled and efficient landing.
Overall, the VL3 aircraft's landing at EGGL Haydock Park Airstrip was a success, with the pilot demonstrating good flying skills and adherence to safety protocols. The minor deviation in runway rollout alignment was the only area for improvement, but it did not significantly impact the overall score.
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