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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 · 16 stages, 15 scored
Events
Events
Events
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 1,390 m of the approach.
Plan view — the full 1,390 m runway, to the same scale as the side view.
The 115 m touchdown sits inside the full-score zone. The arrival was smooth.
The rest of the report
The flight took off from EGPN Dundee Airport on runway 27 in a Cessna Skyhawk. Taxiing from the parking area to the runway took 8 minutes and covered a distance of less than 1 nautical mile (nm).
As the aircraft began its departure roll, the local weather conditions were as follows: the temperature was 17 °C, with a wind speed of 6 kt blowing at 220 °. This resulted in a crosswind of 4 kt and a headwind of 3 kt. The liftoff speed was achieved at 50 kt, and the takeoff distance covered 153 meters, which was approximately 11% of the available runway length.
After taking off, the aircraft proceeded to enter a left-hand pattern from runway 27, with a distance of less than 1 nm covered in 25 seconds. Following this, a left-hand pattern crosswind turn was executed, covering a distance of 1 nm in 44 seconds.
Throughout the pattern, the pilot's navigation and control were well-executed. During the pattern downwind turn, the distance covered was approximately 1 nm, with an angle to the runway of 78.3 °. The pattern downwind leg took 80 seconds to cover a distance of 2 nm.
When the pilot commenced the base leg turn, a distance of approximately 2 nm was covered at an angle to the runway of 25.5 °. Subsequent to this turn, the base leg covered a distance of less than 1 nm in 25 seconds.
As the pilot turned towards final, the distance covered was less than 1 nm in 16 seconds. The final approach to runway 27 was commenced from the east, at a heading of 264.0 °, and at an altitude of 465 feet above ground level (agl) with the aircraft 1 nm from the runway. This was followed by a smooth landing, where the touchdown distance covered was 112 m, the touchdown speed was 36 kt, and the touchdown rate was a commendable -165 fpm.
The only notable issue was a slight misalignment with the runway centerline, with the aircraft touching down 5.6 meters off-center.
Throughout the flight, a total distance of 8 nm was covered, with the entire operation taking 8 minutes to complete. The aircraft used approximately 3 kg of fuel.
A Cessna Skyhawk successfully landed at Dundee Airport (EGPN) with a score of 96.8%. The aircraft was approaching the runway from the east and was on a heading of 264.0° at a distance of 1 nautical mile at an altitude of 465 feet above ground level. The pilots demonstrated good control throughout the final approach, which culminated in a safe touchdown on runway 27, an asphalt surface measuring 1,390 meters in length.
Upon reviewing the aircraft's performance, it was noted that the threshold height was maintained effectively. Threshold speed at 42 knots was below the target, which posed a risk of stall, necessitating careful pilot control to avoid stalling the aircraft. However, the pilots successfully executed a good touchdown distance of 112 meters, a speed of 36 knots at touchdown, and a descent rate of -165 feet per minute, all of which are commendable indicators of a well-executed landing.
Analysis of the local weather conditions reveals a relatively calm atmosphere, with a temperature of 17°C, and winds of 6 knots from 220°. This translates to a minor crosswind of 4 knots and a headwind of 3 knots. Consequently, the pilots were able to make effective compensations for these minor wind components, contributing to the successful landing.
A slight deviation from perfect alignment was observed, with the aircraft being 5.6 meters off the centerline at touchdown. Nevertheless, this minor deviation did not compromise the safety of the landing, and the overall assessment remains extremely positive. Overall, this landing demonstrates the skills of the pilots in safely navigating challenging conditions and executing a precise, controlled landing.
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