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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 · 17 stages, 15 scored
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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.
Side view — the last 1,524 m of the approach.
Plan view — the first 1,524 m of the 2,441 m runway, to the same scale as the side view.
The 258 m touchdown sits inside the full-score zone. The arrival was smooth.
The rest of the report
The flight began with a taxiing period from the parking to the runway, which took 14 minutes and covered a distance of 2 nautical miles. The aircraft, a Cessna Skyhawk, then departed from runway 29 at KSBP San Luis County Regional Airport. The takeoff distance was 112 meters, which accounted for 8% of the runway. The liftoff speed was 51 knots, and the local weather conditions at the time of departure were characterized by a temperature of 23 degrees Celsius and a wind speed of 13 knots at 310 degrees.
As the aircraft climbed away from the airport, it began its enroute climb, which started overhead KSBP San Luis County Regional Airport. The climb took the aircraft from an altitude of 665 feet above sea level to 2,707 feet above sea level, an increase of 2,042 feet in just 3 minutes, covering a distance of 4 nautical miles. The enroute level cruise then began 1 mile north of Pismo Beach, lasting 9 minutes and covering 15 nautical miles.
The enroute descent started 3 miles west of Santa Maria, where the aircraft descended from 2,995 feet above sea level to 806 feet above sea level, a decrease of 2,189 feet in 3 minutes, covering a distance of 4 nautical miles. Following the descent, the aircraft entered another enroute level cruise, this time starting 1 mile southwest of KSMX Santa Maria Public Airport, lasting 2 minutes and covering 3 nautical miles.
The final approach to runway 30 at KSMX Santa Maria Public Airport was made from the southeast, heading 314.0 degrees at 1 nautical mile and 756 feet above ground level. The landing was successful, with a touchdown speed of 39 knots and a touchdown rate of -154 feet per minute. The runway touchdown alignment was perfect, and the local weather conditions at the time of landing were characterized by a temperature of 19 degrees Celsius and a wind speed of 12 knots at 289 degrees.
The total landing distance was 386 meters, which accounted for 16% of the runway. The runway rollout alignment was very good, and the aircraft was able to taxi to the parking area in just 1 minute, covering a distance of less than 1 nautical mile. The total flight distance was 31 nautical miles, and the flight duration was 24 minutes. The aircraft used 11 kilograms of fuel during the flight.
The Cessna Skyhawk successfully landed at KSMX Santa Maria Public Airport, Captain G Allan Hancock Field, with a score of 98.2%. The aircraft approached the runway from the southeast, heading 314.0° at 1 nautical mile and 756 feet above ground level (agl). The pilot executed a precise final approach, taking into account the local weather conditions.
The temperature at the time of landing was 19°C, with a wind speed of 12 knots at 289°. This resulted in a crosswind of 5 knots and a headwind of 11 knots. Despite these conditions, the pilot maintained excellent control, ensuring a smooth and stable approach. The threshold height was good, and the threshold speed was slightly below the target at 54 knots.
Upon touchdown, the aircraft performed well, with a touchdown distance of 257 meters, which is considered good. The touchdown speed was also within acceptable limits at 39 knots. The touchdown rate was -154 feet per minute (fpm), which is a good indication of a controlled descent. The runway touchdown alignment was perfect, demonstrating the pilot's skill and attention to detail.
The total landing distance was 386 meters, which is only 16% of the runway length. This is a testament to the pilot's ability to navigate the aircraft safely and efficiently. The runway rollout alignment was also very good, indicating that the pilot maintained control of the aircraft throughout the landing process. Overall, the landing was a success, with the Cessna Skyhawk touching down safely and efficiently at KSMX Santa Maria Public Airport.
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