Events
Events
Events
Events
MY FS FLIGHTS
Flight Score
Know your rotation speed
See Departure Roll
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 · 8 stages, 7 scored
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: seven checks where the approach path is 300 ft above the runway. The 1,000 ft gate was not assessed, because the approach did not join final that far out.
At the 300 ft gate: sink rate above what the glideslope needed, off the runway's 3° glideslope and off the centreline.
Side view — the last 1,524 m of the approach.
Plan view — the full 1,524 m runway, to the same scale as the side view.
The 284 m touchdown sits inside the full-score zone. The arrival was smooth.
The rest of the report
Departing from Reichelsheim Airfield (EDFB), the XCub aircraft began its takeoff roll on runway 36. The aircraft accelerated smoothly, eventually lifting off the ground at a liftoff speed of 88 kt. The takeoff distance of 422 m, which accounted for 34% of the available runway, was well within the aircraft's performance capabilities. The local weather conditions at the time of departure featured a temperature of 7 °C, with a wind blowing at 15 kt from a direction of 306 °. This resulted in a crosswind component of 12 kt and a headwind component of 9 kt.
As the aircraft transitioned into the enroute phase, it began its descent from an altitude of 1,560 ft above sea level (asl) to 670 ft asl. This descent, which covered a distance of 2 nm, was completed in 2 minutes, resulting in a decrease of 890 ft. The aircraft's rate of descent during this phase was not specified, but the controlled manner in which the descent was executed suggests that the pilot maintained a steady and deliberate rate of descent. The local weather conditions remained relatively consistent, with a temperature of 6 °C and a wind blowing at 10 kt from a direction of 302 °.
As the aircraft approached the landing site, located 1 mile north east of Wolfersheim, it began its final descent from an altitude of 31 ft above ground level (agl) to 0 ft agl. This final descent, which covered a distance of approximately 1 mile, was completed in 6 seconds, resulting in a touchdown speed of 48 kt and a firm touchdown rate of -388 fpm. The touchdown distance of 238 m was also well within the aircraft's performance capabilities. The total flight distance of 8 nm was completed in 5 minutes, and the aircraft used a total of 3 kg of fuel during the flight.
The approach to Wolfersheim (Hessen, Germany) was executed with precision, with the aircraft descending from 31 feet above ground level to touch down safely 1 mile north east of the designated point. The rate of descent was a notable 31 feet in just 6 seconds, demonstrating the pilot's exceptional control and situational awareness. The approach quality was further enhanced by a touchdown speed of 48 knots, which was well within the acceptable range.
Upon touchdown, the aircraft exhibited a firm touchdown rate of -388 feet per minute, indicating a controlled and stable landing. The touchdown distance of 238 meters was also satisfactory, reflecting the pilot's ability to manage the aircraft's energy and maintain a stable approach. The local weather conditions, with a temperature of 6 degrees Celsius and a wind speed of 10 knots at 302 degrees, presented a moderate crosswind component of 7 knots and a tailwind component of 7 knots. Despite these conditions, the pilot successfully navigated the aircraft to a safe touchdown.
The rollout phase was characterized by good centreline alignment, with the aircraft tracking smoothly along the runway. The overall performance of the approach and landing was impressive, with a score of 92.5% reflecting the pilot's exceptional skill and attention to detail. The successful execution of the approach and landing in challenging weather conditions further underscores the pilot's expertise and ability to adapt to a range of scenarios.
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