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Vintage / Pre-1950

FAA Approach Category A Typical Vref 65–90 kt 30 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
≤ 60 fpm 100
≤ 120 fpm 90
≤ 210 fpm 75
≤ 330 fpm 55
≤ 450 fpm 35
≤ 600 fpm 10

G-force at touchdown

Peak G Score
≤ 1.10 g 100
≤ 1.20 g 90
≤ 1.35 g 75
≤ 1.55 g 55
≤ 1.75 g 35
≤ 2.00 g 10

Other thresholds

Ideal touchdown zone
50–250 m
Tail-strike limit
11°
Approach-speed tolerance
±13% of Vref, min 10 kt

Aircraft in this category

The 30 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
Antonov An-2 69 kt
Beechcraft Model 17 Staggerwing 68 kt
Beechcraft Model 18 Twin Beech 87 kt
Boeing 247D 70 kt
Boeing 307 Stratoliner 76 kt
Boeing 314 Clipper 90 kt
Caudron Rafale 430 67 kt
Curtiss JN-4 Jenny 52 kt
De Havilland DH-89 Dragon Rapide 67 kt
Dornier Do J Wal 75 kt
Dornier Do X 81 kt
Douglas C-47D Skytrain 69 kt
Douglas C-54 / DC-4 Skymaster 95 kt
Douglas DC-3 68 kt
Douglas DC-6 106 kt
Fokker F.VII 60 kt
Ford 4AT Trimotor 64 kt
Granville Gee Bee R2/Z 102 kt
Grumman J2F Duck 79 kt
Hughes Aircraft H-4 Hercules (Spruce Goose) 98 kt
Junkers F13 62 kt
Junkers Ju 52 74 kt
Klemm L25 42 kt
Latécoère 631 110 kt
Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellation 114 kt
Ryan NYP Spirit of St. Louis 80 kt
Savoia-Marchetti S.55 74 kt
Spartan 7W Executive 68 kt
Waco CG-4A 59 kt
Wright Cycle Co. Wright Flyer 27 kt

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