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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 · 20 stages, 18 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 five checks, where the approach path is 1,000 ft and 500 ft above the runway.
At the 1,000 ft gate: sink rate above what the glideslope needed.
At the 500 ft gate: sink rate above what the glideslope needed.
The approach, gate by gate
Side view — the last 1,334 m of the approach.
Plan view — the full 1,334 m runway, to the same scale as the side view.
The 453 m touchdown sits inside the full-score zone. The arrival was smooth.
The rest of the report
Departing from Düsseldorf Airport, the A400M aircraft began its journey on runway 23L, taking off with a distance of 1,142 meters, which accounted for 48% of the runway. The aircraft lifted off at a speed of 154 knots, with a local temperature of 21 degrees Celsius and a gentle headwind of 6 knots. As it departed the airport, the aircraft was subjected to a crosswind of just 1 knot.
As the aircraft entered its enroute climb phase, it began to ascend from 1,113 feet above sea level to 31,632 feet, a vertical increase of 30,519 feet, in just 13 minutes and covering a distance of 80 nautical miles. The climb phase was followed by a level cruise, which started approximately 1 mile southeast of Emst, Netherlands, and lasted for 16 minutes, covering 101 nautical miles. The aircraft then began its descent, reducing its altitude from 31,994 feet to 8,999 feet in 14 minutes and covering 82 nautical miles. This was followed by another level cruise phase, which started 11 miles southeast of Frinton-on-Sea, England, and lasted for 17 minutes, covering 75 nautical miles. The final descent phase began overhead Brixton Hill, Greater London, England, and resulted in a reduction of altitude from 8,995 feet to 1,893 feet in just 7 minutes and covering 23 nautical miles.
As the aircraft approached London City Airport, it aligned itself with runway 09, heading 93.0 degrees at 3 nautical miles and 1,852 feet above ground level. The aircraft landed smoothly on the runway, with a touchdown distance of 450 meters and a speed of 115 knots. The touchdown rate was firm at -366 feet per minute, and the runway touchdown alignment was very good. The aircraft then taxied to the parking area, taking just 2 minutes to cover less than 1 nautical mile. The total flight distance was 367 nautical miles, and the aircraft used 4,148 kilograms of fuel during the journey.
The final approach to runway 09 at EGLC London City Airport from the west was executed with precision, with the aircraft maintaining a heading of 93.0° at 3 nautical miles and 1,852 feet above ground level. The approach quality was excellent, with a good threshold height and a threshold speed of 122 knots, well within the acceptable range. As the aircraft descended onto the runway, it touched down at a distance of 450 meters, with a speed of 115 knots, indicating a smooth and controlled touchdown.
The touchdown characteristics were firm, with a rate of -366 feet per minute, and the runway touchdown alignment was very good, demonstrating the pilot's skill and attention to detail. The local weather conditions, with a temperature of 8°C and a headwind of 7 knots, presented a moderate challenge, but the aircraft's performance was not affected. The crosswind component was negligible, at 0 knots, allowing the pilot to maintain a stable approach.
The rollout phase was executed flawlessly, with perfect alignment along the runway centerline. The total landing distance of 810 meters, which accounted for 61% of the runway length, was well within the acceptable range. Overall, the landing was scored 98.4%, reflecting the high level of proficiency and skill demonstrated by the pilot. The combination of good approach quality, smooth touchdown, and precise rollout alignment made for a textbook landing.
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