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MY FS FLIGHTS
Flight Score
Improve the pattern base leg
Bank angle in the pattern is conventionally kept to 20 to 30 degrees, and the base-to-final turn is where that convention earns its keep. Stall speed rises with bank because the wing must produce more lift in a turn. Roughly 7 per cent higher at 30 degrees, about 19 per cent at 45, and around 40 per cent at 60. At 65 kt on base you don't have much margin to spend steepening a turn to salvage an overshoot.
Read more in Pattern WorkStart to finish · 16 stages, 14 scored
Events
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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 for a circuit: five checks where the approach path is 500 ft above the runway. The 1,000 ft gate is an instrument-approach check and does not apply.
Side view — the last 1,113 m of the approach.
Plan view — the full 1,113 m runway, to the same scale as the side view.
The 202 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 21 at EG73 RNAS Fearn Air Base, where the DA40-XLS aircraft took off with a takeoff distance of 207 meters, which accounted for 19% of the runway. The liftoff speed was 69 knots, and the local weather conditions were characterized by a temperature of 15 degrees Celsius and a wind speed of 4 knots at 270 degrees. The crosswind was minimal at 1 knot, while the headwind was 4 knots.
As the aircraft entered the left-hand pattern, it did so from runway 21, with a distance of less than 1 nautical mile covered in 21 seconds. The subsequent left-hand pattern crosswind leg was completed in 23 seconds, with a distance of less than 1 nautical mile. The pattern downwind turn was executed with a distance of 1 nautical mile, and the angle to the runway was 50.2 degrees. The downwind leg itself covered a distance of 2 nautical miles in 69 seconds.
The pattern base leg turn was completed with a distance of 1 nautical mile, and the angle to the runway was 34.1 degrees. The base leg itself was covered in less than 1 nautical mile in 29 seconds. The final turn was executed in less than 1 nautical mile in 9 seconds, after which the aircraft began its final approach to runway 21 from the east, heading 279.0 degrees at 1 nautical mile and 95.7 meters above ground level.
The landing on runway 21 was successful, with a threshold height that was considered good. The threshold speed was slightly below the target at 63 knots, and the touchdown distance was good at 199 meters. The touchdown speed was 49 knots, which was considered good, and the touchdown rate was smooth at -0.6 meters per second. The runway touchdown alignment was very good, and the local weather conditions remained the same.
The total landing distance was 456 meters, which accounted for 41% of the runway. The runway rollout alignment was perfect, indicating a smooth and controlled landing. The total flight distance was 6 nautical miles, which was completed in 5 minutes, and the aircraft used 2 kilograms of fuel during the flight.
The DA40-XLS aircraft successfully landed at EG73 RNAS Fearn Air Base, demonstrating a high level of proficiency in its pilot. The final approach was conducted from the east, heading 279.0° at 1 nautical mile and 95.7 meters above ground level (agl). This approach was executed with precision, as evident from the good threshold height and runway touchdown alignment.
Upon touchdown, the aircraft's performance was satisfactory, with a threshold speed slightly below the target at 63 knots. However, this did not compromise the overall landing, as the touchdown distance of 199 meters was within acceptable limits. The touchdown speed of 49 knots was also good, indicating a smooth and controlled descent. The touchdown rate of -0.6 meters per second was particularly noteworthy, as it demonstrated a high degree of control and precision.
The local weather conditions at the time of landing were favorable, with a temperature of 15°C and a gentle headwind of 4 knots at 270°. The crosswind component was minimal, at 1 knot, which further contributed to the smooth landing. The total landing distance of 456 meters was 41% of the runway length, indicating a good balance between speed and control.
The runway rollout alignment was perfect, demonstrating the pilot's ability to maintain control and direction after touchdown. Overall, this landing was a testament to the pilot's skill and experience, as well as the aircraft's performance capabilities. The 97.2% score achieved in this landing is a reflection of the high standards of proficiency and safety that are expected in aviation.
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