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 · 11 stages, 11 scored
Events
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 849 m of the approach.
Plan view — the full 849 m runway, to the same scale as the side view.
The 307 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 14 at KLMT Crater Lake-Klamath Regional Airport. The aircraft, a VL-3 915, accelerated down the runway and lifted off at a speed of 76 kt, covering a distance of 223 m, which was 7% of the runway length. The local weather conditions at the time of takeoff were characterized by a temperature of 16 °C and a wind speed of 2 kt from a direction of 270 °, resulting in a negligible crosswind and a slight tailwind.
As the aircraft climbed away from the airport, it began its enroute climb, which started overhead KLMT Crater Lake-Klamath Regional Airport. The aircraft climbed from an altitude of 4,962 ft asl to 5,698 ft asl, an increase of 737 ft, in just 1 minute, covering a distance of 1 nm. This rapid climb was followed by a level cruise, which began 1 mile south of the airport and lasted for 9 minutes, during which the aircraft covered a distance of 23 nm.
The enroute descent started 5 miles east of 24S Pinehurst State Airport, where the aircraft began its descent from an altitude of 6,052 ft asl to 4,168 ft asl, a decrease of 1,884 ft, in just 2 minutes, covering a distance of 4 nm. The final approach to runway 22 at 24S Pinehurst State Airport was made from the north-east, with the aircraft heading 235.0 ° at an altitude of 507 ft agl and a distance of 1 nm from the runway threshold.
The landing on runway 22 was successful, with the aircraft touching down at a distance of 305 m, which was considered good. However, the touchdown speed of 62 kt was excessively fast, and the threshold speed of 68 kt was also higher than expected. The touchdown rate was perfect at 14 fpm, 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 16 °C and a wind speed of 2 kt from a direction of 270 °, resulting in a negligible crosswind and a slight headwind.
The total flight distance was 31 nm, and the flight duration was 13 minutes. The aircraft used 5 kg of fuel during the flight. Overall, the flight was successful, with a good landing and a perfect touchdown rate, despite some minor issues with the touchdown speed and threshold speed.
The aircraft, VL-3 915, successfully landed at 24S Pinehurst State Airport, scoring an impressive 88.0% on its final approach. The aircraft was approaching the runway from the north east, heading 235.0° at a distance of 1 nautical mile and an altitude of 507 feet above ground level (agl).
The landing was executed on runway 22, which has a length of 849 meters. The threshold height was reported as good, indicating that the aircraft was at the correct height as it approached the runway. However, the threshold speed was excessively high at 68 knots, suggesting that the pilot may have been able to slow down more quickly before touchdown.
Despite the high threshold speed, the touchdown distance was good at 305 meters, indicating that the aircraft was able to maintain control and land smoothly. However, the touchdown speed was excessively fast at 62 knots, which may have put additional stress on the aircraft's landing gear and could have resulted in a bumpy ride for passengers.
Fortunately, the touchdown rate was perfect at 14 feet per minute (fpm), indicating that the aircraft was able to touch down smoothly and without any sudden deceleration. The runway touchdown alignment was also very good, suggesting that the pilot was able to maintain a stable and controlled approach.
The local weather conditions at the time of the landing were relatively calm, with a temperature of 16°C and a wind speed of 2 knots from 270°. The crosswind was minimal at 1 knot, and the headwind was 2 knots, which may have helped to slow the aircraft down slightly before touchdown. Overall, the landing was a success, and the pilot's skills and experience were evident in the smooth and controlled approach and landing.
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