Events
Events
Events
MY FS FLIGHTS
Flight Score
Improve the pattern downwind leg
The 45-degrees-behind-the-wing cue assumes you can turn your head and use peripheral vision. Downwind spacing cues like "put the wingtip halfway up the strut" assume a fixed, known eyepoint. Neither survives a monitor unmodified. If you fly on a fixed monitor, stop pretending and fly a numbers-based circuit.
Read more in Pattern WorkStart to finish · 15 stages, 14 scored
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 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 2,353 m runway, to the same scale as the side view.
The 306 m touchdown sits inside the full-score zone. The arrival was smooth.
The rest of the report
The flight began with a departure roll from runway 23 at Glasgow International Airport, with the DA42-VI aircraft taking off in a relatively short distance of 192 meters, which accounted for only 8% of the runway. The liftoff speed was 83 knots, and the local weather conditions were characterized by a temperature of 15 degrees Celsius and a gentle wind of 2 knots from a direction of 270 degrees. This resulted in a minimal crosswind and headwind of 1 knot each.
As the aircraft entered the right-hand pattern, it demonstrated impressive agility, completing the entry turn in less than 1 nautical mile in just 21 seconds. The subsequent crosswind turn was even quicker, taking only 10 seconds to complete. The pattern downwind turn was executed at an angle of 75.2 degrees to the runway, covering a distance of 1 nautical mile. The downwind leg itself was 2 nautical miles long and took 76 seconds to complete.
The base leg turn was another precise maneuver, with the aircraft turning at an angle of 40.1 degrees to the runway, covering a distance of 2 nautical miles. The base leg itself was short, taking less than 1 nautical mile to complete in 25 seconds. The final turn was equally swift, taking 23 seconds to complete.
The final approach to runway 23 was made from the north-east, with the aircraft flying at a heading of 228.0 degrees and an altitude of 103.0 meters above ground level. The landing was executed perfectly, with the aircraft touching down at a speed of 68 knots and a distance of 303 meters, which was only 25% of the runway length. The touchdown rate was a perfect -0.2 meters per second, and the runway touchdown alignment was spot on.
The total landing distance was 593 meters, and the runway rollout alignment was also perfect. The aircraft used a total of 3 kilograms of fuel for the flight, which covered a distance of 7 nautical miles and took 5 minutes to complete. Overall, the flight was a testament to the aircraft's agility and the pilot's skill, with every maneuver executed with precision and control.
The DA42-VI aircraft successfully landed at EGPF Glasgow International Airport, demonstrating exceptional piloting skills and adherence to standard operating procedures. The final approach to runway 23 was initiated from the north east, with the aircraft heading 228.0° at 1 nautical mile and 103.0 meters above ground level (agl). This approach was executed with precision, as evidenced by the aircraft's ability to maintain a good threshold height and speed.
Upon touchdown, the aircraft's performance was impressive, with a threshold speed of 84 knots and a touchdown distance of 303 meters. The touchdown speed of 68 knots was also within acceptable limits, and the touchdown rate of -0.2 meters per second was perfect, indicating a smooth and controlled descent. The runway touchdown alignment was also perfect, demonstrating the pilot's ability to accurately align the aircraft with the runway.
The local weather conditions at the time of landing were favorable, with a temperature of 15°C and a gentle wind of 2 knots at 270°. The crosswind component was minimal at 1 knot, and the headwind component was also 1 knot, which had a negligible impact on the landing. The total landing distance of 593 meters was only 25% of the runway length, indicating a short and controlled rollout.
The runway rollout alignment was also perfect, demonstrating the pilot's ability to maintain control of the aircraft during the critical phase of landing. Overall, this landing was a testament to the pilot's skill and experience, as well as the aircraft's performance capabilities. The DA42-VI's ability to execute a precise and controlled landing in a variety of weather conditions makes it an excellent choice for pilots seeking a reliable and versatile aircraft.
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