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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 · 16 stages, 14 scored
Events
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Events
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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 3,000 m runway, to the same scale as the side view.
The 354 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 area to the runway, which took 14 minutes and covered a distance of 5 nautical miles. The aircraft, a Cessna C172, then departed from runway 07 at the Falcone–Borsellino Airport (LICJ). The takeoff distance was 230 meters, which accounted for 8% of the runway length. The liftoff speed was 54 knots, and the local weather conditions were characterized by a temperature of 15 °C and a wind speed of 4 knots at 245 degrees.
The aircraft then entered a left-hand pattern, with the entry distance being less than 1 nautical mile in 72 seconds. The crosswind leg was also a left-hand turn, covering a distance of less than 1 nautical mile in 22 seconds. The downwind turn was a 45-degree angle to the runway, with a distance of 1 nautical mile. The downwind leg itself was 2 nautical miles long and took 75 seconds to complete. The base leg turn was another 45-degree angle to the runway, with a distance of 1 nautical mile.
The final approach to the runway was made from the southwest, with a heading of 65.0 degrees at an altitude of 238 feet above ground level (agl). The landing on runway 07 was successful, with the threshold height being above the target and the threshold speed being a little below the target at 63 knots. The touchdown distance was good at 351 meters, and the touchdown speed was 44 knots, which was also good. The touchdown rate was -182 feet per minute (fpm), and the runway touchdown alignment was perfect.
The local weather conditions remained the same, with a temperature of 15 °C and a wind speed of 4 knots at 245 degrees. The crosswind was 0 knots, and the tailwind was 4 knots. The total landing distance was 1,333 meters, which accounted for 44% of the runway length. The runway rollout alignment was very good. After landing, the aircraft took 1 minute to taxi to the parking area, covering a distance of less than 1 nautical mile. The total flight distance was 10 nautical miles, and the flight took 10 minutes to complete, using 3 kilograms of fuel.
The Cessna C172 aircraft successfully landed at Falcone–Borsellino Airport, scoring an impressive 96.4%. The final approach to runway 07 was initiated from the southwest, with a heading of 65.0° at an altitude of 238 feet above ground level (agl) and 0 nautical miles from the runway.
Upon landing, the aircraft touched down on the runway at a speed of 44 knots, which was considered good. The touchdown distance of 351 meters was also satisfactory, indicating a smooth and controlled descent. The aircraft's touchdown rate of -182 feet per minute (fpm) was within the acceptable range, further emphasizing the pilot's skill and precision.
The local weather conditions at the time of landing were favorable, with a temperature of 15°C and a gentle wind of 4 knots from 245°. This resulted in a negligible crosswind component and a slight tailwind of 4 knots, which did not significantly impact the landing.
The aircraft's performance on the runway was equally impressive, with a runway touchdown alignment that was perfect. The runway rollout alignment was also very good, indicating that the pilot maintained control and stability throughout the landing process. The total landing distance of 1,333 meters was 44% of the runway length, which is a relatively short distance considering the aircraft's size and weight.
Overall, the landing was a testament to the pilot's skill and experience, as well as the aircraft's capabilities. The high score of 96.4% reflects the pilot's ability to navigate the aircraft safely and efficiently, even in challenging weather conditions.
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