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MY FS FLIGHTS
Flight Score
Arrival
Wait for the normal flare band and the correct speed before raising the nose, rather than starting the flare at 84 ft.
What happened: The flare began at 84 ft, 39 ft above the normal band, and the touchdown followed at 331 fpm. Starting the flare this early usually carries through to a firmer arrival than a flare begun in the normal band.
Watch for: Radio altimeter: hold the flare start within the normal flare band
There are several things that can go wrong during the flare, carrying too much speed over the threshold, starting the flare at the wrong height and inconsistent flight control inputs, all contribute to a poor flare resulting in a hard touchdown or a float down the runway.
Read more in Flare TimingStart to finish · 14 stages, 12 scored
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The threshold, the flare and the hold-off. The approach that led to it is the stabilisation gates below.
Two stabilised approach gates, each with seven checks, where the approach path is 1,000 ft and 500 ft above the runway. They are the approach's score: the checks passed out of the checks that ran.
The approach, gate by gate
Side view — the last 1,524 m of the approach.
Plan view — the first 1,524 m of the 3,889 m runway, to the same scale as the side view.
The 477 m touchdown sits inside the full-score zone. The arrival was smooth.
The rest of the report
The Airbus A320 taxied from the parking area to runway 26R at EGKK London Gatwick Airport, a movement that required three minutes and covered less than one nautical mile.
During the departure roll on runway 26R, the aircraft used 1,689 m of runway, representing 79 % of the available length, and achieved liftoff at 154 kt. Ambient conditions were 15 °C temperature with a wind of 5 kt from 243°, providing a 5 kt headwind and a 1 kt cross-wind component.
Climb commenced overhead Charlwood, with the airplane ascending from 1,268 ft asl to 7,945 ft asl, an increase of 6,677 ft achieved in four minutes while covering 16 nm.
Level cruise began over Purley, lasting two minutes and extending for seven nautical miles.
Descent was initiated one mile north-west of Chislehurst, where the aircraft descended from 7,594 ft asl to 1,361 ft asl, a loss of 6,233 ft in six minutes and a distance of 20 nm.
The final approach to runway 27R at EGLL London Heathrow Airport was flown from the east, on a heading of 270.0°, at four nautical miles out and 1,274 ft agl.
Landing occurred on runway 27R, whose total length is 3,889 m. The threshold height of 61 ft agl was above the target, while the threshold speed was recorded at 137 kt. Touchdown was made 136 m beyond the touchdown zone at a speed of 131 kt, with a firm touchdown rate of minus 306 fpm and perfect runway alignment. Local weather remained 15 °C with a wind of 5 kt from 243°, giving a 4 kt headwind and a 2 kt cross-wind component.
The rollout covered 1,201 m, equivalent to 31 % of the runway, and alignment during the roll was perfect.
After exiting the runway, the aircraft taxied to the parking area, a taxi-in that lasted seven minutes and spanned one nautical mile.
In total, the flight covered 52 nm, required 26 minutes of elapsed time, and consumed 734 kg of fuel.
The final approach to runway 27R at EGLL was flown from the east on a heading of 270.0° at 4 nm and 1,274 ft agl. The approach was assessed as stabilised at the 1,000 ft gate, with gear, flaps, sink rate, glideslope and centreline all within limits. Local weather was 15 °C with wind 5 kt from 243°, providing a 2 kt cross-wind component and a 4 kt head-wind.
At threshold the aircraft was 61 ft agl, which was above the target height, and the threshold speed was recorded as good at 137 kt. The flare was executed from this condition.
Touchdown occurred 136 m beyond the touchdown zone with a speed of 131 kt, noted as a little fast, and a firm touchdown rate of minus 306 fpm. Runway touchdown alignment was perfect.
The aircraft rolled out on runway 27R, which is 3,889 m long, covering a total landing distance of 1,201 m (31 % of the runway). Runway rollout alignment was perfect.
Minor refinements should focus on achieving the target threshold height and moderating touchdown speed toward the calculated VREF to reduce the firm rate. Adjusting the flare timing to accommodate the slightly high speed will help attain a smoother touchdown while preserving the excellent alignment already demonstrated.
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