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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 · 22 stages, 21 scored
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The threshold, the flare and the hold-off. The approach that led to it is the stabilisation gates below.
One stabilised approach gate: five checks where the approach path is 500 ft above the runway. The 1,000 ft gate was not assessed, because the approach did not join final that far out.
The approach, gate by gate
Side view — the last 1,524 m of the approach.
Plan view — the first 1,524 m of the 3,984 m runway, to the same scale as the side view.
The 334 m touchdown sits inside the full-score zone. The arrival was smooth.
The rest of the report
The flight in question was operated by a Boeing 737-900 aircraft. As it began its departure, the aircraft started taxiing from the parking to the runway at Cologne Bonn Airport (EDDK), taking less than one minute to cover a short distance of less than one nautical mile. It then took off from runway 13L, requiring a takeoff distance of 1,754 meters, approximately 46% of the runway length. The aircraft achieved liftoff at a speed of 176 knots, benefiting from favorable local weather conditions, with a temperature of 22 degrees Celsius and a headwind of 5 knots.
As the aircraft climbed enroute, it began to ascend from 1,342 feet above sea level (asl) to 6,004 ft asl, covering a vertical distance of 4,662 feet in just two minutes and traversing six nautical miles. This climb was followed by a brief level cruise, during which the aircraft maintained its altitude at 6,279 ft asl for approximately two minutes and covered another seven nautical miles. The pilots then initiated a descent, gradually reducing altitude from 6,279 ft asl to 4,326 ft asl, also covering seven nautical miles.
The flight continued with another ascent, this time from 4,399 ft asl to a cruising altitude of 20,180 ft asl, an increase of 15,781 ft in a span of approximately eight minutes, and covering a distance of 35 nautical miles. During this phase, the pilots executed a level cruise for 21 minutes over several points in Northwestern Germany, including Much, Wesseling, and Sprockhoevel, as the aircraft covered a distance of 52 nautical miles.
Later on, the flight transitioned to a descent from a cruising altitude of 20,214 ft asl to 2,057 ft asl over Dillenburg and surrounding areas, a reduction of 18,157 ft over a span of approximately 11 minutes and covering 43 nautical miles.
Upon approaching Frankfurt Airport (EDDF) from the north east, the pilots executed a final approach to runway 25L. However, due to reasons that weren't specified, the pilots were forced to initiate a go-around at an altitude of 349 feet above ground level (agl).
Eventually, the aircraft was able to successfully land on runway 25L, which was a total distance of 332 meters, equivalent to approximately 11% of the runway length. The touchdown speed was relatively low at 143 knots, and the touchdown rate, although not excellent, was still somewhat acceptable at -269 feet per minute.
The local weather conditions at the time of landing were characterized by a temperature of 14 degrees Celsius and no wind or crosswind, providing an ideal environment for a precise touchdown and subsequent rollout alignment. The pilots demonstrated remarkable skill, maintaining an excellent alignment with the runway as the aircraft slowed down.
Following a landing procedure completed in just 432 meters, the pilots were able to taxi the aircraft to the parking area in approximately five minutes, covering less than one nautical mile. The overall flight duration was approximately 43 minutes, and the aircraft consumed around 1,863 kilograms of fuel, resulting in a total flight distance of 157 nautical miles.
The Boeing 737-900 aircraft completed a proficient landing at Frankfurt Airport (EDDF), showcasing a 97.1% score. The final approach to runway 25L was executed from the northeast heading, which is an ideal direction given the airport's layout. At a distance of 3 nautical miles (nm) and an altitude of 1,717 feet above ground level (agl), the aircraft adhered to standard procedures, indicating a well-coordinated approach.
Upon touchdown, the threshold height was satisfactory, and the threshold speed of 150 knots (kt) was achieved as expected. The touchdown distance of 332 meters was within acceptable limits, and the corresponding touchdown speed of 143 kt was also adequate. However, the touchdown rate, measured at -269 feet per minute (fpm), was considered fair, indicating a slight deviation from the ideal rate.
The runway alignment at touchdown position showed a slight discrepancy of 3.7 meters off the centerline, which could be attributed to minor navigational deviations or variations in crew response. Despite this minor misalignment, the total landing distance of 432 meters, accounting for only 11% of the runway's length, was still within the acceptable range.
The aircraft benefited from favorable local weather conditions, with no reported wind or turbulence that could have impeded a smooth landing. The temperature, at 14 °C, fell within the standard operating range, while the wind speed, at 0 kt from 181°, essentially resulted in a zero-crosswind and headwind situation.
Following the touchdown, the runway rollout alignment exhibited excellent control and precision, demonstrating the crew's proficiency in managing post-landing operations. Overall, the Boeing 737-900 aircraft landed safely and efficiently at Frankfurt Airport, with only minor deviations from optimal performance parameters.
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