Events
Events
Events
Events
MY FS FLIGHTS
Flight Score
Work on the flare
See Arrival Landing
Arrive slow and the sink rate at the threshold is already above schedule, the flare is short because there is no energy to extend it, and the touchdown is hard in a way that feels exactly like a late flare. Diagnosing a slow arrival as a late flare is the catastrophic misread: you respond by flaring earlier, which bleeds more speed, which makes the next one worse. The tiebreaker is threshold speed against VRef, not feel. Never diagnose a flare without it.
Read more in Flare TimingStart to finish · 14 stages, 12 scored
Events
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: seven 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 1,517 m of the approach.
Plan view — the full 1,517 m runway, to the same scale as the side view.
Touched down 532 m past the threshold — beyond the full-score zone. The arrival was smooth.
The rest of the report
The flight began with a departure roll from runway 06L at KLAX Los Angeles International Airport. The aircraft, a Cessna C172, accelerated down the runway and lifted off at a speed of 67 kt, covering a distance of 70 m, which was 3% of the runway length. The local weather conditions at the time of takeoff were characterized by a temperature of 15 °C and a wind speed of 1 kt from a direction of 27°, resulting in a negligible crosswind and headwind.
As the aircraft climbed away from the airport, it began its enroute climb, which started overhead KLAX Los Angeles International Airport. The aircraft ascended from an initial altitude of 665 ft above sea level to a maximum altitude of 2,957 ft, an increase of 2,292 ft, in just 3 minutes, covering a distance of 2 nm. This rapid climb was followed by a brief enroute level cruise, which lasted 3 minutes and covered a distance of 1 nm, as the aircraft flew 1 mile north west of El Segundo.
The enroute descent phase began 1 mile north of KLAX Los Angeles International Airport, where the aircraft descended from an altitude of 3,826 ft above sea level to 883 ft, a decrease of 2,942 ft, in 5 minutes, covering a distance of 4 nm. Following this descent, the aircraft entered another enroute level cruise, which lasted 2 minutes and covered a distance of less than 1 nm, as it flew 1 mile south of Century City.
The final approach to runway 21 at KSMO Santa Monica Municipal Airport was initiated from the north east, with the aircraft flying at a heading of 225.0° and an altitude of 572 ft above ground level, 1 nm from the runway. The local weather conditions at the time of landing were characterized by a temperature of 15 °C and a wind speed of 1 kt from a direction of 27°, resulting in a negligible crosswind and a tailwind of 1 kt.
The landing was executed on runway 21, which had a length of 1,517 m. The threshold height at 121 ft above ground level was excessively over target, but the threshold speed was good at 63 kt. The touchdown point was 69 m beyond the touchdown zone, and the touchdown speed was a little fast at 59 kt. The touchdown rate was firm at -310 fpm, and the runway touchdown alignment was perfect.
In conclusion, the flight was completed in 14 minutes, covering a total distance of 11 nm, and using 5 kg of fuel. The aircraft performed well throughout the flight, with a smooth takeoff, a rapid climb, and a controlled descent and landing.
The Cessna C172 aircraft successfully landed at KSMO Santa Monica Municipal Airport, but with some areas for improvement. The final approach was initiated from the north-east, heading 225.0° at 1 nm and 572 ft above ground level (agl). The aircraft's performance during the landing was satisfactory, with a threshold speed of 63 kt, which is within the acceptable range.
However, the threshold height at 121 ft agl was excessively over the target, indicating that the aircraft descended more slowly than expected. This could be due to a variety of factors, including the pilot's decision to maintain a higher altitude or a slower descent rate. Despite this, the touchdown point was 69 m beyond the touchdown zone, which is not ideal but not excessively far off either.
The touchdown speed of 59 kt was a little fast, which could have contributed to the firm touchdown rate of -310 fpm. A firmer touchdown rate can be uncomfortable for passengers and may also put additional stress on the aircraft's landing gear. Nevertheless, the runway touchdown alignment was perfect, indicating that the pilot maintained a steady and consistent approach.
The local weather conditions at the time of the landing were relatively calm, with a temperature of 15 °C and a wind speed of 1 kt at 27°. The crosswind component was negligible, and the tailwind component was minimal at 1 kt. Overall, while there were some areas for improvement, the pilot demonstrated a good understanding of the aircraft's performance and was able to execute a safe and controlled landing.
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