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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 · 12 stages, 10 scored
Events
Events
Events
Events
Events
Events
Two stabilised approach gates, each with six checks at 1,000 ft and 500 ft above the runway.
Side view — the last 1,524 m of the approach.
Plan view — the first 1,524 m of the 2,295 m runway, to the same scale as the side view.
The 451 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 10 at TNCM Princess Juliana International Airport. The aircraft, a DHC-2 Beaver, accelerated down the runway, covering a distance of 549 meters, which accounted for 24% of the runway's length. The liftoff speed was achieved at 94 knots, marking the start of the aircraft's ascent into the sky.
As the aircraft climbed, it reached a level cruise altitude, where it remained for 8 minutes, covering a distance of 2 nautical miles. This brief period of steady flight allowed the aircraft to stabilize and prepare for its descent back to the airport. The local weather conditions during this time were characterized by a temperature of 28 degrees Celsius and a wind speed of 15 knots from a direction of 179 degrees.
The final approach to runway 10 was initiated from the west, with the aircraft heading towards the airport at a bearing of 85.0 degrees. At an altitude of 237 feet above ground level and 1 nautical mile from the runway, the aircraft began its descent. The landing was executed on runway 10, which had a length of 2,295 meters. The threshold height was slightly above the target, while the threshold speed was slightly below the target at 63 knots.
The touchdown distance was good, covering a distance of 449 meters, which accounted for 28% of the runway's length. The touchdown speed was also within acceptable limits at 58 knots, and the touchdown rate was smooth at -144 feet per minute. The runway touchdown alignment was perfect, indicating a well-executed landing. The local weather conditions during the landing were characterized by a temperature of 27 degrees Celsius and a wind speed of 14 knots from a direction of 60 degrees.
Following the landing, the aircraft taxied to the parking area, covering a distance of less than 1 nautical mile in 1 minute. The total flight distance was 4 nautical miles, and the flight duration was 11 minutes. The aircraft used 14 kilograms of fuel during the flight.
The DHC-2 Beaver aircraft successfully landed at TNCM Princess Juliana International Airport, achieving an impressive score of 86.1%. The final approach to runway 10 was conducted from the west, with a heading of 85.0° at 1 nautical mile and 237 feet above ground level (agl). The aircraft demonstrated good control and precision during the approach, ultimately landing safely on the runway.
The landing performance was satisfactory, with the threshold height being above the target at 62 feet agl. However, the threshold speed was slightly below the target at 63 knots, indicating a minor deviation from the ideal landing speed. Despite this, the touchdown distance of 449 meters was considered good, and the touchdown speed of 58 knots was also within acceptable limits. The touchdown rate of -144 feet per minute (fpm) was smooth, indicating a controlled descent.
The local weather conditions at the time of landing were favorable, with a temperature of 27°C and a wind speed of 14 knots at 60°. The crosswind component was relatively low at 5 knots, while the headwind component was 13 knots. These conditions contributed to a stable and controlled approach.
The total landing distance of 645 meters was 28% of the runway length, indicating a relatively short landing roll. However, the runway rollout alignment was slightly misaligned by 11.9 meters from the centerline, which may be a minor concern for future landings. Overall, the landing was considered safe and successful, with the aircraft demonstrating good control and precision throughout the approach and landing phases.
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