Events
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 · 14 stages, 12 scored
Events
Events
Events
Events
One stabilised approach gate for a circuit: six checks at the point nearest 500 ft above the runway after the base turn. The 1,000 ft gate is an instrument-approach check and does not apply.
Side view — the last 3,578 ft of the approach.
Plan view — the full 3,578 ft runway, to the same scale as the side view.
The 213 ft touchdown sits inside the full-score zone. The arrival was smooth.
The rest of the report
This flight was conducted in a PA28 Archer II aircraft, departing from runway 12 at KMLE Millard Airport. The taxiing process from the parking area to the runway took approximately 3 minutes and covered a distance of less than 1 nautical mile. The aircraft then began its departure roll, taking off from the runway with a takeoff distance of 1,311 feet, which accounted for 37% of the runway's total length. The liftoff speed was recorded at 68 knots.
The local weather conditions at the time of the flight were characterized by a temperature of 59 degrees Fahrenheit and a wind speed of 1 knot from a direction of 270 degrees. This resulted in a negligible crosswind and tailwind effect, with both being 1 knot in magnitude. The aircraft then entered a left-hand pattern, with the entry point being less than 1 nautical mile from the runway and taking approximately 14 seconds to complete. The subsequent left-hand pattern crosswind maneuver was also executed with ease, covering a distance of less than 1 nautical mile in 21 seconds.
As the aircraft continued its pattern, it performed a downwind turn, covering a distance of 3 nautical miles at an angle of 45 degrees to the runway. The turn was executed at an altitude of 128.1 degrees, with the aircraft heading northwest towards the runway. The final approach to the runway was made from the northwest, with the aircraft flying at a heading of 126.0 degrees and an altitude of 496 feet above ground level (agl) at a distance of 2 nautical miles from the runway.
The landing on runway 12 was executed smoothly, with the aircraft touching down at a speed of 68 knots, which was slightly faster than the recommended threshold speed. The touchdown distance was recorded at 203 feet, and the touchdown rate was firm at -333 feet per minute. However, the runway touchdown position was slightly misaligned from the centerline by 11 feet. The total landing distance was 1,285 feet, accounting for 36% of the runway's total length.
The runway rollout alignment was very good, indicating that the pilot maintained control of the aircraft during the landing process. The total flight distance was 8 nautical miles, and the flight duration was 10 minutes. Notably, the aircraft used zero pounds of fuel during the flight, suggesting that the flight was likely a short training exercise or a test flight.
The PA28 Archer II aircraft successfully landed at KMLE Millard Airport, achieving a score of 95.8%. The final approach was conducted from the northwest, heading 126.0° at 2 nautical miles and 496 feet above ground level (agl). The aircraft maintained a good threshold height, indicating a stable approach.
Upon landing, the aircraft touched down on runway 12, which has a length of 3,578 feet. The threshold speed was satisfactory at 69 knots, and the touchdown distance was also good at 203 feet. However, the touchdown speed of 68 knots was slightly faster than ideal, which may have contributed to a firm touchdown rate of -333 feet per minute (fpm). This firm touchdown rate could potentially put additional stress on the aircraft's landing gear.
Despite the slightly firm touchdown, the runway touchdown position was only 11 feet off-centerline, indicating a relatively good alignment. The local weather conditions were favorable, with a temperature of 59°F and a light wind of 1 knot from 270°. This minimal wind had a negligible impact on the aircraft's approach and landing.
The total landing distance of 1,285 feet was 36% of the runway length, which is within acceptable limits. The runway rollout alignment was very good, indicating that the pilot maintained control of the aircraft during the rollout phase. Overall, the landing was successful, with the aircraft achieving a high score and demonstrating good control and stability throughout the approach and landing phases.
Scroll or drag the slider to zoom · double-click to reset · hover for values