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MY FS FLIGHTS
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Shorten the long landing
Ground effect becomes significant below about one wingspan of height. A Cessna 172, with a 36 ft span, enters ground effect at flare height - the float it feels in the hold-off is ground effect arriving on cue. An A320, with a span around 117 ft, has been in ground effect since before the threshold and there is no sudden cushion to feel, only a gradual reduction in induced drag that lengthens any float you allow.
Read more in Flare TimingStart to finish · 15 stages, 13 scored
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The threshold, the flare and the hold-off. The approach that led to it is the stabilisation gates below.
Two stabilised approach gates, each with seven checks, where the approach path is 1,000 ft and 500 ft above the runway. They are the approach's score: the checks passed out of the checks that ran.
At the 500 ft gate: speed 17 kt FAST on the reference speed of 119 kt.
The approach, gate by gate
Side view — the last 5,000 ft of the approach.
Plan view — the first 5,000 ft of the 7,185 ft runway, to the same scale as the side view.
Touched down 2,642 ft past the threshold — beyond the full-score zone. The arrival was smooth.
The rest of the report
Departing from Orlando International Airport (KMCO), the Boeing 737-700 began its journey by taxiing from the parking area to the runway, a process that took approximately 9 minutes and covered a distance of 1 nautical mile. As the aircraft lined up on runway 17R, it was met with a local weather condition of 73°F temperature and a wind of 15 knots at 229 degrees, resulting in a 12-knot crosswind and a 10-knot headwind. The takeoff roll commenced, and the aircraft lifted off the ground at a speed of 148 knots, utilizing 3,953 feet of runway, which accounted for 39% of the available length.
As the aircraft climbed away from the airport, it began its enroute climb, which started approximately 1 mile southeast of KMCO. The climb phase saw the aircraft ascend from 1,102 feet above sea level to 36,994 feet, an increase of 35,892 feet in just 16 minutes, covering a distance of 115 nautical miles. Following the climb, the aircraft entered a level cruise phase, which lasted for 113 minutes and covered a distance of 934 nautical miles. The cruise phase was followed by a descent phase, which began approximately 51 miles north of Cyril E. King Airport (TIST) on Saint Thomas Island. The descent saw the aircraft decrease in altitude from 36,997 feet to 1,365 feet, a decrease of 35,633 feet in 24 minutes, covering a distance of 136 nautical miles.
As the aircraft approached Princess Juliana International Airport (TNCM), it began its final approach to runway 10 from the west, heading 81.0 degrees at 4 nautical miles and 1,346 feet above ground level. The landing was executed with a threshold speed well above the target at 133 knots, and the touchdown point was 1,604 feet beyond the touchdown zone, with a touchdown speed of 113 knots and a touchdown rate of -206 feet per minute. The runway touchdown alignment was very good, and the runway rollout alignment was also satisfactory. Following the landing, the aircraft taxied to the parking area, a process that took approximately 2 minutes and covered less than 1 nautical mile. The total flight distance was 1,192 nautical miles, and the aircraft utilized 12,910 pounds of fuel during the flight, which lasted for 167 minutes.
The Boeing 737-700 touched down on runway 10 at TNCM Princess Juliana International Airport, marking a satisfactory conclusion to the approach from the west. The aircraft's descent was characterized by good approach quality, with a steady and controlled rate of descent that allowed for a smooth touchdown. The threshold height was well within acceptable limits, and the threshold speed of 133 kt was significantly above the target, indicating a high degree of control and precision.
As the aircraft made contact with the runway, it became apparent that the touchdown speed of 113 kt was slightly faster than desired, resulting in a touchdown rate of -206 fpm, which was fair but not optimal. However, the runway touchdown alignment was very good, with the aircraft remaining centered on the runway. The local weather conditions, with a temperature of 81 °F and a headwind of 8 kt, contributed to a relatively straightforward landing.
The total landing distance of 4,225 ft was 56% of the runway length, indicating a reasonable use of the available runway. The runway rollout alignment was also very good, with the aircraft maintaining its centerline alignment throughout the rollout phase. Overall, the landing was deemed satisfactory, with a score of 90.0%, reflecting a high degree of proficiency and control.
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