Events
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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 · 15 stages, 14 scored
Events
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: five checks where the approach path is 500 ft above the runway. The 1,000 ft gate is an instrument-approach check and does not apply.
The approach, gate by gate
Side view — the last 1,524 m of the approach.
Plan view — the first 1,524 m of the 1,800 m runway, to the same scale as the side view.
The 279 m touchdown sits inside the full-score zone. The 0.16 G arrival is the firm side of smooth.
The rest of the report
Departing from Cotswold Airport (EGBP), the Cessna C195 began its takeoff roll on runway 08, accelerating to a liftoff speed of 89 kt in a distance of 974 m, which represented 60% of the available runway length. The local weather conditions were favorable, with a temperature of 16 °C and a gentle tailwind of 1 kt from 270°.
As the aircraft entered the right-hand traffic pattern, it demonstrated a high degree of maneuverability, completing the pattern entry in less than 1 nm in 24 seconds. The subsequent crosswind turn was executed efficiently, taking only 9 seconds to complete. The pilot then initiated the downwind turn, maintaining a 45-degree angle to the runway and a distance of 1 nm. The downwind leg itself was flown for 2 nm in 51 seconds, before the base leg turn was executed, again at a 45-degree angle to the runway. The final approach was made from the west, with the aircraft descending to 257 ft agl at a heading of 86.0°, before touching down on runway 08.
The landing was characterized by a smooth touchdown rate of -103 fpm, with a touchdown speed of 51 kt and a touchdown distance of 277 m, representing 30% of the available runway length. The runway touchdown position was slightly misaligned, being 6.4 m off the centreline. The pilot then executed a smooth rollout, maintaining good alignment with the runway centreline. The total landing distance was 487 m, and the aircraft used a total of 1 kg of fuel for the 5nm flight, which took approximately 4 minutes to complete.
The Cessna C195 touched down on runway 08 at EGBP Cotswold Airport with a satisfactory approach quality, demonstrating good control and precision throughout the descent. The aircraft descended from 1 nm and 257 ft agl, aligning with the runway heading of 86.0°, and established a stable approach path. The threshold height was well-managed, allowing for a smooth transition to the runway surface.
Upon touchdown, the aircraft exhibited good touchdown characteristics, with a speed of 51 kt and a rate of -103 fpm, indicating a smooth and controlled descent. The touchdown distance of 277 m was within acceptable limits, and the threshold speed of 69 kt was also satisfactory. However, the runway touchdown position was slightly misaligned by 6.4 m from the centreline, which may have been due to a slight deviation in the approach path or a minor control issue.
The rollout phase was executed well, with the aircraft maintaining a very good alignment with the centreline. The total landing distance of 487 m, which accounted for 30% of the runway length, was within acceptable limits. Overall, the landing performance of the Cessna C195 was satisfactory, with a score of 91.8% reflecting the good approach quality, smooth touchdown characteristics, and controlled rollout.
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