Events
Events
Events
Events
MY FS FLIGHTS
Flight Score
Keep the approach speed on target
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 Bush Flying 101Start to finish · 16 stages, 14 scored
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 1,524 m of the approach.
Plan view — the first 1,524 m of the 2,414 m runway, to the same scale as the side view.
Touched down 812 m past the threshold — beyond the full-score zone. The arrival was smooth.
The rest of the report
Departing runway 05 at LFBD Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport, the Piper PA-24-250 Comanche began its takeoff roll, accelerating to liftoff speed of 70 kt in a distance of 698 m, which represented 23% of the available runway. The aircraft lifted off with a headwind component of 15 kt, which contributed to a relatively short takeoff distance.
As the aircraft climbed away from Bordeaux-Mérignac, it transitioned into a steady enroute climb, reaching an altitude of 3,555 ft asl in just 5 minutes. This climb phase was characterized by a significant increase in altitude, with a gain of 2,773 ft. Following the climb, the aircraft entered a level cruise phase, maintaining an altitude of 3,555 ft asl for 7 minutes while covering a distance of 17 nm. The descent phase that followed was initiated 1 mile west of Cestas, with the aircraft losing 1,800 ft in altitude in just 3 minutes. This descent phase was completed in preparation for the final approach to runway 29 at LFBD Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport.
The final approach was initiated from the east, with the aircraft heading 276.0° at 2 nm and 1,899 ft agl. However, the landing was not without issues, as the touchdown point was 302 m beyond the touchdown zone, and the touchdown speed of 65 kt was slightly higher than desired. Furthermore, the touchdown rate was very hard at -537 fpm, and the runway touchdown position was significantly misaligned by 20.1 m from the centreline. The total landing distance of 1,058 m represented 44% of the available runway, and the runway rollout alignment was also misaligned by 20.2 m from the centreline. Despite these challenges, the aircraft completed the flight, covering a total distance of 37 nm and consuming 13 kg of fuel in the process.
The final approach to runway 29 at LFBD Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport from the east was initiated at 2 nm and 1,899 ft above ground level, heading 276.0°. The approach quality was satisfactory, with a threshold height of 78 ft above ground level, which was well above the target. However, the threshold speed was excessively high at 108 kt, indicating a potential loss of control during the landing phase.
The aircraft touched down 302 m beyond the touchdown zone, with a touchdown speed of 65 kt, which was a little fast. The touchdown rate was very hard at -537 fpm, indicating a high deceleration force on the aircraft. The runway touchdown position was significantly misaligned by 20.1 m from the centreline, which could have contributed to the hard touchdown. The local weather conditions, with a temperature of 18 °C and a wind of 14 kt at 9°, resulted in a crosswind of 14 kt and a headwind of 2 kt.
The total landing distance was 1,058 m, which accounted for 44% of the runway length. The runway rollout alignment was also misaligned by 20.2 m from the centreline, indicating a continued loss of control during the rollout phase. Overall, the landing performance was below average, with a score of 69.3%.
Scroll or drag the slider to zoom · double-click to reset · hover for values