Events
Events
Events
Events
MY FS FLIGHTS
Flight Score
Departure
Hold the nose down until the speed reaches 45 kt, then rotate.
What happened: You started the rotation at 33 kt, 12 kt before the 45 kt rotation speed.
Watch for: Airspeed indicator: 45 kt at rotation
See Departure Roll
Arrival
Add power on final to hold 42 kt across the threshold.
What happened: The aircraft crossed the threshold at 26 kt, 16 kt below VREF, and low energy like this usually carries through to a firm touchdown at 132 fpm.
Watch for: Airspeed indicator: 42 kt at the threshold
Every knot above Vref is stored kinetic energy, and energy stored at the threshold must be dissipated in ground effect before the aeroplane will stop flying. Because kinetic energy scales with the square of speed, the excess you must dissipate grows fast. At a 45-knot approach, five knots hot is over a tenth more speed and roughly a quarter more energy to get rid of in ground effect. This is why the fix is never in the flare. It was decided three miles earlier, on final, at the airspeed indicator.
Read more in VRef ExplainedStart to finish · 15 stages, 13 in the score
Events
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: five checks where the approach path is 500 ft above the runway. 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 1,786 m runway, to the same scale as the side view.
The 48 m touchdown sits inside the full-score zone. The arrival was smooth.
The rest of the report
Departing from Cotswold Airport (EGBP), the RANS S6S bush trike began its takeoff roll on runway 26. The aircraft accelerated smoothly, reaching liftoff speed of 44 kt in a relatively short distance of 141 m, which accounted for only 9% of the available runway length. The local weather conditions were favorable, with a temperature of 15 °C and a gentle headwind of 1 kt from the west.
As the aircraft entered the left-hand traffic pattern, it demonstrated impressive agility, completing the pattern entry in less than 1 nm in just 15 seconds. The subsequent crosswind leg was also executed efficiently, with the aircraft covering the distance in 29 seconds. The downwind turn was made at an angle of 45 degrees to the runway, with the aircraft maintaining a steady heading of 262.0 °. The downwind leg itself was 2 nm long and took 114 seconds to complete. With the aircraft now aligned with the runway, it began its final approach from the east, descending to an altitude of 61 ft above ground level (agl) at 0 nm from the threshold.
The landing was executed flawlessly, with the aircraft touching down at a speed of 22 kt and a distance of 46 m, which was only 5% of the available runway length. The touchdown rate was an impressive -77 fpm, indicating a smooth and controlled descent. Although the runway touchdown position was slightly misaligned by 3.1 m from the centreline, the aircraft's rollout alignment was very good. The total landing distance was 81 m, and the aircraft used a minimal amount of fuel, with a total flight distance of 4 nm and a fuel consumption of 0 kg.
The final approach to runway 26 at EGBP Cotswold Airport from the east was executed with precision, with the aircraft maintaining a heading of 262.0° at 0 nm and 61 ft above ground level. The approach quality was excellent, with a good threshold height allowing for a controlled descent onto the runway. The threshold speed of 26 kt was achieved, indicating a well-executed flare.
As the aircraft touched down on the runway, the touchdown distance was good at 46 m, and the touchdown speed of 22 kt was within acceptable limits. The touchdown rate of -77 fpm was particularly impressive, demonstrating exceptional control and precision. However, the runway touchdown position was slightly misaligned by 3.1 m from the centreline, which may require attention in future approaches. Local weather conditions, with a temperature of 15 °C and a gentle headwind of 1 kt, contributed to a smooth and stable approach.
The total landing distance of 81 m, representing just 5% of the runway length, was outstanding. The runway rollout alignment was very good, with the aircraft maintaining a consistent path along the centreline. Overall, the landing was highly successful, with a score of 99.9% reflecting the exceptional skill and control demonstrated by the pilot.
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