Events
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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 · 13 stages, 13 scored
Events
Events
Events
Events
Events
Two stabilised approach gates, each with six checks at 1,000 ft and 500 ft above the runway.
The approach, gate by gate
Side view — the last 3,571 ft of the approach.
Plan view — the full 3,571 ft runway, to the same scale as the side view.
The 771 ft 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 28 at KBEH Southwest Michigan Regional Airport, where the aircraft, a Baron 58P, accelerated to a speed of 103 kt before lifting off the ground. The takeoff distance was 541 ft, which accounted for 9% of the runway's length. The initial climb phase started overhead Benton Harbor, and the aircraft ascended from a low of 1,028 ft to 1,203 ft asl, a 175 ft increase, in just 1 minute while covering 3 nm.
Following the initial climb, the aircraft transitioned into an enroute level cruise, lasting 2 minutes and covering 5 nm, positioned approximately 2 miles southwest of Benton Harbor. Next, the aircraft began another enroute climb, this time rising from 1,611 ft to 3,116 ft asl, an increase of 1,505 ft in 2 minutes, as it covered 5 nm north of Bridgman. A subsequent cruise phase, lasting 2 minutes and covering 5 nm, took place 3 miles west of Bridgman.
As the flight progressed, the aircraft commenced a descent from 3,491 ft to 1,958 ft asl, a 1,533 ft decrease, over 5 nm west of the Benedick Airport located at 4MI6. A brief cruise phase then occurred 1 mile northwest of New Buffalo, lasting 4 minutes and covering 7 nm. The approach to the destination, KMGC Michigan City Municipal Airport, was initiated from the south at an altitude of 95 ft agl and a heading of 21.0 degrees.
The landing took place on runway 02 at KMGC, where the aircraft utilized a runway length of 3,571 ft. The threshold height was good, but the touchdown speed was slightly above target at 98 kt. Upon touchdown, the aircraft traveled a respectable 775 ft, but touched down at an overly fast speed of 89 kt. Despite this, the aircraft maintained a positive touchdown rate of -154 fpm, and the runway touchdown was perfectly aligned. The final leg of the flight consumed 31 nm of distance and 41 lbs of fuel, concluding the journey in 12 minutes. The ambient temperature for both departure and arrival remained relatively consistent at 70 °F and 78 °F, respectively, with wind speeds and directions noted for reference.
The landing of the Baron 58P aircraft at Michigan City Municipal Airport (KMGC) was deemed a success with a final score of 99.8%. The pilot executed the final approach to runway 02 from the south at a heading of 21.0° and at an altitude of 95 ft Above Ground Level (agl). The aircraft maintained a consistent distance of 0 nm from the runway during the final approach, displaying exceptional control and precision.
Upon touchdown, the aircraft's alignment with the runway was perfect, indicating a high level of skill and attention to detail from the pilot. The landing occurred on the longer part of the runway, taking advantage of the available length. The threshold height was satisfactory, indicating that the aircraft's descent was well-managed.
However, there were minor deviations from the target parameters. The threshold speed of 98 kt was slightly above the targeted speed, but this was not significant enough to impact the overall safety of the landing. The touchdown speed of 89 kt was a little faster than optimal, which may indicate that the pilot could have maintained better control during the descent. Nevertheless, the actual touchdown speed did not compromise the aircraft's stability or control.
Another area of minor concern was the touchdown rate, which measured 154 ft per minute. Although this was within acceptable limits, the pilot could have potentially achieved a more precise descent with slightly better control. Despite these minor deviations, the overall landing performance was excellent, with a touchdown distance of 775 ft and an exceptional runway touchdown alignment.
The local weather conditions during the landing were favorable, with a temperature of 70°F, which did not pose any significant challenges for the pilot. The combination of a high level of pilot skill, well-executed descent parameters, and favorable weather conditions resulted in a highly successful landing of the Baron 58P aircraft at KMGC Michigan City Municipal Airport.
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