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MY FS FLIGHTS
Flight Score
Shorten the long landing
Ground effect becomes significant below about one wingspan of height. A Cessna 172, with a 36 ft span, enters ground effect at flare height - the float it feels in the hold-off is ground effect arriving on cue. An A320, with a span around 117 ft, has been in ground effect since before the threshold and there is no sudden cushion to feel, only a gradual reduction in induced drag that lengthens any float you allow.
Read more in Flare TimingStart to finish · 18 stages, 16 scored
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The threshold, the flare and the hold-off. The approach that led to it is the stabilisation gates below.
Two stabilised approach gates, each with seven checks, where the approach path is 1,000 ft and 500 ft above the runway.
The approach, gate by gate
Side view — the last 5,000 ft of the approach.
Plan view — the first 5,000 ft of the 8,899 ft runway, to the same scale as the side view.
The 1,037 ft touchdown sits inside the full-score zone. The arrival was smooth.
The rest of the report
Departing from Raleigh Durham International Airport (KRDU), the Airbus A321 began its journey by taxiing from the parking area to the runway, a process that took approximately 5 minutes and covered less than 1 nautical mile. Upon reaching runway 05L, the aircraft initiated its departure roll, utilizing 6,847 feet of the 9,800-foot runway, which accounted for 69% of its length. The aircraft lifted off at a speed of 166 knots, taking advantage of the favorable local weather conditions, with a temperature of 71°F and a gentle headwind of 1 knot.
As the aircraft climbed away from KRDU, it began its enroute climb, reaching an altitude of 32,118 feet above sea level in 24 minutes, covering a distance of 153 nautical miles. The climb phase was characterized by a steady increase in altitude, from 1,443 feet to 32,118 feet, a total ascent of 30,676 feet. Following the climb, the aircraft entered a 60-minute enroute level cruise, during which it covered a distance of 1,720 nautical miles, maintaining a steady altitude of 32,118 feet. The cruise phase was punctuated by a brief enroute descent, which began 1 mile south east of Yucca Valley, California, and lasted 18 minutes, covering a distance of 96 nautical miles. The aircraft descended from 32,010 feet to 1,418 feet, a total decrease of 30,592 feet.
As the aircraft approached Los Angeles International Airport (KLAX), it initiated its final approach to runway 24R, aligning itself with the runway from the east at a heading of 263.0°. The aircraft touched down 897 feet beyond the touchdown zone, with a touchdown speed of 140 knots, which was slightly faster than the recommended threshold speed of 143 knots. The touchdown rate was firm at -397 feet per minute, and the runway touchdown alignment was very good. Following a smooth rollout, the aircraft taxied to the parking area, a process that took 6 minutes and covered 1 nautical mile. The total flight distance was 1,979 nautical miles, and the aircraft consumed 31,005 pounds of fuel during the journey, which lasted a total of 115 minutes.
The aircraft, an Airbus A321, successfully executed a final approach to runway 24R at KLAX Los Angeles International Airport from the east, aligning with the heading of 263.0° at a distance of 4 nautical miles and an altitude of 1,281 feet above ground level. The approach quality was satisfactory, with a good threshold height and a threshold speed of 143 knots, well within the acceptable range.
As the aircraft touched down on the runway, the touchdown point was located 897 feet beyond the touchdown zone, indicating a slight overrun. The touchdown speed of 140 knots was a little fast, but the firm touchdown rate of -397 feet per minute ensured a controlled descent. The runway touchdown alignment was very good, with the aircraft maintaining its centerline position. The local weather conditions, with a temperature of 61°F and a gentle headwind of 4 knots, contributed to a smooth landing.
The total landing distance of 3,785 feet was 43% of the runway length, indicating a relatively short rollout. The runway rollout alignment was perfect, with the aircraft maintaining its centerline position throughout the deceleration phase. Overall, the landing was considered satisfactory, with a score of 97.4%. The minor deviations in touchdown speed and distance were offset by the good approach quality and excellent runway alignment, resulting in a successful landing.
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