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 · 9 stages, 8 scored
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: five checks where the approach path is 500 ft above the runway. The 1,000 ft gate was not assessed, because the approach did not join final that far out.
The approach, gate by gate
Side view — the last 1,524 m of the approach.
Plan view — the first 1,524 m of the 2,490 m runway, to the same scale as the side view.
Touched down 559 m past the threshold — beyond the full-score zone. The 0.24 G arrival is the firm side of smooth.
The rest of the report
Departing from Groningen Airport Eelde, the Antonov An-2 began its takeoff roll on runway 05, accelerating to a liftoff speed of 84 kt. The aircraft utilized 67% of the available runway, covering a distance of 1,659 meters before lifting off into the air. Local conditions were favorable, with a temperature of 20 °C and a gentle tailwind of 3 kt.
As the aircraft climbed to a safe altitude, it transitioned into the enroute phase, passing overhead Yde in the province of Drenthe. The climb was characterized by a gradual increase in altitude, from 235 ft to 253 ft, over a distance of 2 nm in 2 minutes. This steady ascent allowed the aircraft to maintain a stable heading and prepare for the final approach. With the local weather remaining consistent, the aircraft continued its descent, aligning itself with runway 23 at Groningen Airport Eelde.
The final approach was executed from the north-east, with the aircraft maintaining a heading of 230.0° at an altitude of 236 ft agl. The touchdown was smooth, with the aircraft touching down 116 meters beyond the touchdown zone at a speed of 40 kt. The touchdown rate was impressive, at -82 fpm, and the runway rollout alignment was very good. The total landing distance was 700 meters, accounting for 28% of the available runway. The flight concluded with a total distance of 3 nm, utilizing 35 kg less fuel than anticipated.
The final approach to runway 23 at EHGG Groningen Airport Eelde from the north east was executed with precision, with the aircraft maintaining a heading of 230.0° at 0 nm and 236 ft above ground level. The approach quality was excellent, with a good threshold height achieved. However, the threshold speed was slightly above the target, registering at 66 kt.
As the aircraft touched down on the runway, the touchdown point was 116 m beyond the touchdown zone, indicating a slight overrun. The touchdown speed of 40 kt was within acceptable limits, and the touchdown rate of -82 fpm was exceptional. Although the runway touchdown position was slightly misaligned by 3.1 m from the centreline, the overall touchdown characteristics were good. The local weather conditions, with a temperature of 20 °C and a gentle headwind of 3 kt, contributed to a smooth landing.
The total landing distance of 700 m, accounting for 28% of the runway length, was within acceptable limits. The runway rollout alignment was very good, demonstrating the pilot's skill in maintaining control of the aircraft during the critical phase of the landing. Overall, the landing was scored 96.8%, reflecting the minor deviations from the ideal touchdown point and threshold speed.
Scroll or drag the slider to zoom · double-click to reset · hover for values