Events
Events
Events
Events
Events
MY FS FLIGHTS
Flight Score
Improve the pattern downwind leg
The 45-degrees-behind-the-wing cue assumes you can turn your head and use peripheral vision. Downwind spacing cues like "put the wingtip halfway up the strut" assume a fixed, known eyepoint. Neither survives a monitor unmodified. If you fly on a fixed monitor, stop pretending and fly a numbers-based circuit.
Read more in Pattern WorkStart to finish · 14 stages, 13 scored
Events
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.
Side view — the last 1,524 m of the approach.
Plan view — the first 1,524 m of the 1,814 m runway, to the same scale as the side view.
Touched down 559 m past the threshold — beyond the full-score zone. The arrival was smooth.
The rest of the report
The flight began with a departure roll from runway 23 at EGPE Inverness Airport. The DA40-XLS aircraft required a takeoff distance of 124 meters, which accounted for 7% of the runway. The liftoff speed was achieved at 62 knots. At the time of departure, the local weather conditions were characterized by a temperature of 15 degrees Celsius and a wind speed of 2 knots from a direction of 269 degrees. This resulted in a crosswind of 1 knot and a headwind of 2 knots.
As the aircraft entered the left-hand pattern from runway 23, it demonstrated a swift and efficient maneuver, covering a distance of less than 1 nautical mile in just 21 seconds. The subsequent left-hand pattern crosswind turn also showcased the aircraft's agility, completing the turn in 34 seconds over a distance of less than 1 nautical mile. The pattern downwind turn involved a distance of 2 nautical miles, with an angle to the runway of 45 degrees and a heading of 109.7 degrees.
The downwind leg of the pattern covered a distance of 2 nautical miles in 122 seconds, while the base leg was completed in just 24 seconds over a distance of less than 1 nautical mile. The final turn, which brought the aircraft onto the final approach, was also executed efficiently, taking 25 seconds to complete over a distance of less than 1 nautical mile.
The final approach to runway 23 was made from the north-east, with a heading of 229.0 degrees and an altitude of 136 feet above ground level. The landing was successful, with the touchdown point located 118 meters beyond the touchdown zone. The touchdown speed of 50 knots was within the target range, and the touchdown rate of -58 feet per minute was excellent. The runway touchdown alignment was also very good.
The total landing distance covered by the aircraft was 836 meters, which accounted for 46% of the runway. The runway rollout alignment was also very good, indicating a smooth and controlled descent. The total flight distance was 7 nautical miles, and the flight duration was 8 minutes. The aircraft used a total of -3 kilograms of fuel during the flight.
The DA40-XLS aircraft successfully landed at EGPE Inverness Airport, demonstrating a high level of proficiency in its pilot. The final approach was conducted from the north east, aligning with the runway 23 threshold at a heading of 229.0°. The aircraft was at 0 nm and 136 ft above ground level (agl) at this point, indicating a precise and controlled descent.
Upon landing, the aircraft touched down 118 meters beyond the touchdown zone, which is slightly beyond the ideal point but still within acceptable limits. The threshold speed was slightly above the target at 75 kt, but this did not seem to affect the overall performance of the landing. The touchdown speed of 50 kt was good, indicating a smooth and controlled touchdown.
One of the standout aspects of this landing was the excellent touchdown rate of -58 fpm. This is a very low rate, indicating that the aircraft touched down with minimal impact and was well-controlled throughout the landing. The runway touchdown alignment was also very good, suggesting that the pilot maintained a consistent and accurate approach to the runway.
The local weather conditions at the time of the landing were favorable, with a temperature of 15°C and a gentle wind of 2 kt at 269°. This resulted in a minimal crosswind component of 1 kt and a headwind of 2 kt, which did not appear to affect the landing.
The total landing distance of 836 meters was 46% of the runway length, which is a relatively short distance considering the aircraft's size and weight. This suggests that the pilot was able to maintain a high level of control and precision throughout the landing. The runway rollout alignment was also very good, indicating that the pilot was able to maintain a consistent and accurate alignment with the runway during the rollout phase.
Overall, this landing demonstrates a high level of proficiency and skill on the part of the pilot, as well as a good understanding of the aircraft's performance and handling characteristics. The landing was smooth, controlled, and precise, with a minimal impact on the runway.
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