Tailwheel / Aerobatic
FAA Approach Category A
Typical Vref 43–65 kt
39 aircraft
Scoring thresholds
FLARE applies these curves to every aircraft in this category, except where an aircraft carries its own G-force curve or tail-strike limit. Scores fall in a straight line between the points, from 0 to 100 per criterion; the composite formula is documented in the scoring methodology.
Descent rate at touchdown
| fpm | Score |
|---|---|
| ≤ 50 fpm | 100 |
| ≤ 100 fpm | 90 |
| ≤ 175 fpm | 75 |
| ≤ 275 fpm | 55 |
| ≤ 375 fpm | 35 |
| ≤ 500 fpm | 10 |
G-force at touchdown
| Peak G | Score |
|---|---|
| ≤ 1.10 g | 100 |
| ≤ 1.18 g | 90 |
| ≤ 1.29 g | 75 |
| ≤ 1.45 g | 55 |
| ≤ 1.61 g | 35 |
| ≤ 1.80 g | 10 |
Other thresholds
- Ideal touchdown zone
- 30–150 m
- Tail-strike limit
- 12°
- Approach-speed tolerance
- ±9% of Vref, min 10 kt
Aircraft in this category
The 39 named aircraft FLARE recognizes in this category. ★ marks a hand-written landing guide. Vref is quoted at the aircraft's reference weight, usually its maximum landing weight, and FLARE adjusts it to the weight you land at.
| Aircraft | Vref |
|---|---|
| American Champion Scout | 56 kt |
| Aviat Husky A-1C | 60 kt |
| Aviat Pitts Special S1S | 64 kt |
| Aviat Pitts Special S2S | 70 kt |
| Boeing Stearman PT-17 | 62 kt |
| Bucker Bü-131 Jungmann | 58 kt |
| CAP-4 Paulistinha | 47 kt |
| Cessna 140 | 51 kt |
| Cessna 170B | 59 kt |
| Cessna 185F Skywagon | 64 kt |
| Cessna 188 AGTruck | 66 kt |
| Cessna 195 Businessliner | 70 kt |
| Cessna L-19 Bird Dog | 55 kt |
| CubCrafters XCub ★ | 52 kt |
| De Havilland Canada DHC-1 Chipmunk | 55 kt |
| Decathlon Super (713) | 64 kt |
| EXTRA 330LT | 85 kt |
| Globe Swift | 52 kt |
| MX Aircraft MXS-R | 75 kt |
| Maule M7-235 | 56 kt |
| Maule MX-7-180 | 60 kt |
| PZL-104 Wilga | 59 kt |
| Pietenpol Air Camper | 52 kt |
| Piper J-3 Cub | 43 kt |
| Piper L-4 Grasshopper | 43 kt |
| Piper PA-11 Cub Special | 46 kt |
| Piper Pacer | 67 kt |
| Robin CAP 10 | 59 kt |
| Ryan ST-A Special | 51 kt |
| Sbach 342 | 80 kt |
| Sukhoi Su-31 | 82 kt |
| Taylorcraft BC-12D | 52 kt |
| Vans Aircraft RV-7/RV-7A | 66 kt |
| Vans Aircraft RV-8 | 66 kt |
| Wittman Tailwind W-8/W-10 | 62 kt |
| Zivko Edge 540 | 79 kt |
| Zlin Aviation Savage Cub | 42 kt |
| Zlin Aviation Savage Norden | 39 kt |
| Zlin Aviation Shock Ultra | 35 kt |
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