Events
Events
Events
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 · 14 stages, 13 scored
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.
The approach, gate by gate
Side view — the last 1,524 m of the approach.
Plan view — the first 1,524 m of the 1,814 m runway, to the same scale as the side view.
The 245 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 23 at EGPE Inverness Airport, where the DA40-NG aircraft took off with a takeoff distance of 415 meters, which is 23% of the runway length. The liftoff speed was 69 knots. At the time of takeoff, the local weather conditions were characterized by a temperature of 16 degrees Celsius and a wind speed of 1 knot from a direction of 269 degrees, resulting in a negligible crosswind and headwind.
After takeoff, the aircraft entered a left-hand pattern, which it completed in a relatively short distance of less than 1 nautical mile in 17 seconds. The pattern crosswind leg was also flown to the left, covering a distance of less than 1 nautical mile in 24 seconds. The downwind turn was made at an angle of 70.7 degrees to the runway, covering a distance of 1 nautical mile. The downwind leg itself was 2 nautical miles long and took 81 seconds to complete.
As the aircraft began its base leg turn, it covered a distance of 1 nautical mile at an angle of 34.3 degrees to the runway. The base leg itself was less than 1 nautical mile long and took 28 seconds to complete. The final turn was made in less than 1 nautical mile in 10 seconds, after which the aircraft began its final approach to runway 23 from the north-east, heading 229.0 degrees at an altitude of 229 feet above ground level.
The landing was executed smoothly, with a threshold height that was considered good and a threshold speed of 69 knots. The touchdown distance was also good, at 244 meters, and the touchdown speed was 55 knots, which was considered good. The touchdown rate was perfect, at -34 feet per minute, and the runway touchdown alignment was very good. The local weather conditions at the time of landing were similar to those at takeoff, with a temperature of 15 degrees Celsius and a wind speed of 1 knot from a direction of 270 degrees.
The flight was completed with a total distance of 6 nautical miles, taking 5 minutes to cover this distance. The aircraft used 1 kilogram of fuel during the flight. Overall, the flight was executed smoothly and efficiently, with good weather conditions and a well-executed landing.
The DA40-NG aircraft successfully landed at EGPE Inverness Airport, showcasing exceptional piloting skills and adherence to standard operating procedures. The final approach to runway 23 was initiated from the north east, with the aircraft heading 229.0° at 1 nautical mile and 229 feet above ground level (agl). This precise approach was a testament to the pilot's ability to navigate complex airspace and maintain situational awareness.
Upon landing, the aircraft touched down on the runway with a speed of 69 knots, which was well within the threshold speed requirements. The touchdown distance of 244 meters was also satisfactory, indicating a smooth and controlled descent. The touchdown speed of 55 knots was equally impressive, demonstrating the pilot's skill in managing airspeed and maintaining a stable approach.
One of the most notable aspects of this landing was the perfect touchdown rate of -34 feet per minute (fpm). This indicates that the aircraft touched down with minimal impact, reducing the risk of damage to the aircraft and minimizing the stress on the landing gear. The runway touchdown alignment was also very good, suggesting that the pilot maintained a stable and consistent approach path.
The local weather conditions at the time of the landing were favorable, with a temperature of 15°C and a wind speed of 1 knot from 270°. This resulted in a negligible crosswind and headwind, making the landing even more challenging and impressive. Overall, this landing was a demonstration of exceptional piloting skills and a testament to the DA40-NG's capabilities as a reliable and versatile aircraft.
Scroll or drag the slider to zoom · double-click to reset · hover for values