Events
Events
Events
MY FS FLIGHTS
Flight Score
Improve the pattern base leg
See 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 · 12 stages, 12 in the score
Events
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: seven checks where the approach path is 300 ft above the runway. The 1,000 ft gate is an instrument-approach check and does not apply.
At the 300 ft gate: sink rate above what the glideslope needed and off the runway's 2.8° glideslope.
The approach, gate by gate
Side view — the last 1,524 m of the approach.
Plan view — the first 1,524 m of the 2,606 m runway, to the same scale as the side view.
The 492 m touchdown sits inside the full-score zone. The arrival was smooth.
The rest of the report
Departing from Cibao International Airport, the Cessna Skyhawk began its takeoff roll on runway 11, accelerating to a liftoff speed of 68 kt in a distance of 609 m, which accounted for 23% of the available runway length. The local weather conditions at the time were characterized by a temperature of 16 °C and a gentle wind of 1 kt from 270°, resulting in a negligible crosswind component.
As the aircraft entered the left-hand traffic pattern, it demonstrated a smooth and efficient turn, covering a distance of 1 nm in 13 seconds. The subsequent crosswind turn was equally impressive, with the aircraft completing the maneuver in less than 1 nm in 22 seconds. The pilot's skillful handling of the aircraft was evident throughout the pattern, with a well-executed downwind turn and base leg, followed by a final approach from the west at a heading of 102.0° and an altitude of 308 ft above ground level. The landing itself was notable for its precision, with the aircraft touching down 49 m beyond the touchdown zone at a speed of 51 kt, resulting in an excellent touchdown rate of -55 fpm.
The flight's performance was further highlighted by its fuel efficiency, with the aircraft consuming only 1 kg of fuel over a total distance of 8 nm, which was completed in 5 minutes. The pilot's adherence to standard operating procedures and their ability to adapt to the local weather conditions resulted in a safe and efficient flight, with a perfect runway touchdown alignment and a good threshold height. The threshold speed, however, was slightly higher than optimal at 75 kt, but this did not compromise the overall outcome of the flight.
The final approach to runway 11 at MDST Cibao International Airport from the west was executed with precision, with the aircraft maintaining a heading of 102.0° at 0 nm and 308 ft above ground level. The approach quality was excellent, with a good threshold height achieved. However, the threshold speed was slightly above the desired level, reaching 75 kt.
As the aircraft touched down on the runway, the touchdown point was 49 m beyond the touchdown zone, indicating a slight overrun. Nevertheless, the touchdown speed of 51 kt was within the acceptable range, and the touchdown rate of -55 fpm was exceptional, demonstrating a high degree of control and precision. The runway touchdown alignment was perfect, with the aircraft centered on the runway centerline. The local weather conditions, with a temperature of 16 °C and a gentle tailwind of 1 kt, contributed to a smooth and stable approach.
The rollout phase was uneventful, with the aircraft maintaining its centerline alignment throughout. The overall performance of the landing was impressive, with a score of 97.1% reflecting the high level of skill and precision displayed by the pilot. The slight overrun and high threshold speed were the only minor deviations from the ideal, but overall, the landing was a credit to the pilot's expertise and the aircraft's capabilities.
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