Events
Events
Events
Events
Events
Events
Events
Events
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 · 20 stages, 18 scored
Events
Events
Events
Events
Events
Events
Events
Events
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.
The approach, gate by gate
Side view — the last 1,524 m of the approach.
Plan view — the first 1,524 m of the 2,273 m runway, to the same scale as the side view.
The 422 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 32 at Millau-Larzac Airfield, LFCM. The Cessna Skyhawk took off with a takeoff distance of 702 meters, which was 86% of the runway length. The liftoff speed was 78 knots. At the time of departure, the local weather conditions were a temperature of 18 degrees Celsius, with a wind speed of 9 knots at 303 degrees. This resulted in a crosswind of 3 knots and a headwind of 8 knots.
As the aircraft climbed to a higher altitude, it began its enroute climb from 2,757 feet above sea level to 3,117 feet above sea level, an increase of 360 feet in just 1 minute, covering a distance of 1 nautical mile. The climb continued, and the aircraft reached a level cruise altitude of 3,117 feet above sea level, lasting for 2 minutes and covering 2 nautical miles. The aircraft then began another climb, this time from 3,529 feet above sea level to 9,643 feet above sea level, an increase of 6,115 feet in 14 minutes, covering a distance of 21 nautical miles.
The aircraft then entered a long level cruise phase, lasting 78 minutes and covering 151 nautical miles, starting 2 miles south-west of Lestrade-et-Thouels. As the aircraft began its descent, it started from an altitude of 13,991 feet above sea level and descended to 4,814 feet above sea level, a decrease of 9,177 feet in 13 minutes, covering a distance of 29 nautical miles. The aircraft then entered another level cruise phase, lasting 2 minutes and covering 3 nautical miles, starting 1 mile east of Sainte-Gemme.
The final descent phase began 1 mile south-east of La Gripperie-Saint-Symphorien, where the aircraft descended from 4,417 feet above sea level to 1,297 feet above sea level, a decrease of 3,119 feet in 8 minutes, covering a distance of 10 nautical miles. The aircraft then began its final approach to runway 12 at Rochefort-Saint-Agnant Airport, heading 121.0 degrees at 4 nautical miles and 1,240 feet above ground level.
The landing on runway 12 was successful, with a touchdown distance of 420 meters, which was good. However, the touchdown speed of 62 knots was a little fast, and the threshold speed was too high at 73 knots. The touchdown rate was excellent at -92 feet per minute, and the runway touchdown alignment was very good. The local weather conditions at the time of landing were a temperature of 20 degrees Celsius, with a wind speed of 16 knots at 61 degrees. This resulted in a crosswind of 14 knots and a headwind of 8 knots.
The total landing distance was 1,078 meters, which was 47% of the runway length. However, the runway rollout alignment was misaligned by 23.9 meters from the centreline. The taxiing to the parking from the runway took 1 minute and covered less than 1 nautical mile. The total flight distance was 223 nautical miles, taking 122 minutes, and the aircraft used 43 kilograms of fuel.
The Cessna Skyhawk successfully landed at LFDN Rochefort-Saint-Agnant (BA 721) Airport, achieving a score of 91.5%. The aircraft approached the runway from the north-west, heading 121.0° at a distance of 4 nautical miles and an altitude of 1,240 feet above ground level (agl). The pilot executed a precise final approach, aligning the aircraft with the runway threshold.
Upon landing, the aircraft touched down on the runway at a speed of 73 knots, which was slightly higher than the recommended threshold speed. However, the touchdown distance of 420 meters was considered good, indicating a smooth and controlled descent. The touchdown speed of 62 knots was a little fast, but the pilot managed to maintain an excellent touchdown rate of -92 feet per minute (fpm), showcasing their skill and control.
The local weather conditions at the time of landing were favorable, with a temperature of 20°C and a wind speed of 16 knots at 61°. The crosswind component was 14 knots, while the headwind component was 8 knots. These conditions did not significantly impact the landing, and the pilot was able to maintain a stable approach.
The total landing distance of 1,078 meters was 47% of the runway length, indicating a relatively short landing roll. However, the runway rollout alignment was slightly misaligned by 23.9 meters from the centerline, which may have been due to the pilot's attempt to maintain control and stability during the landing roll.
Overall, the Cessna Skyhawk's landing at LFDN Rochefort-Saint-Agnant (BA 721) Airport was a success, with the pilot demonstrating good control and precision throughout the approach and landing phases. While there were some minor deviations from the recommended procedures, the pilot's skills and experience allowed them to execute a safe and controlled landing.
Scroll or drag the slider to zoom · double-click to reset · hover for values