Glossary
The XC performance metrics to check after every flight
September 09, 2026
XC metrics describe distance, duration, altitude changes and time spent climbing or transitioning. Comparing flights also requires context, wind and recording quality: one number cannot measure pilot skill.
Which metrics matter?
- Distance: distinguish track length from calculated XC or triangle distance.
- Ground glide ratio: horizontal distance divided by altitude lost over the selected segment; wind and rising air affect the result.
- Climb rate: altitude change divided by duration, in m/s; it depends on the selected segment and data quality.
- Altitude: recorded maximum and gain in climbing segments; the track alone does not determine cloud base.
- Duration and speed: check which flight phases are included and compare equivalent intervals.
- Time climbing and transitioning: describes the flight distribution without independently grading efficiency or decisions.
How do you use the trend, not the single number?
Compare segments and flights with similar conditions and recording quality. Observed differences suggest debrief questions without automatically isolating the effect of pilot technique.
Where do you find them in RSFly.app?
Free includes the logbook, essential statistics and Standard 2.5D Replay. Plus adds cinematic 3D Replay, detailed analysis, comparisons and exports. The Plans page describes current availability and terms.
Apply it to your flight
Free includes the logbook, essential statistics and Standard 2.5D Replay. Plus adds cinematic 3D Replay, detailed analysis, comparisons and exports. The Plans page describes current availability and terms.
- Open the IGC file in the logbook and check its date, duration and track continuity.
- Choose a climb or transition and compare time, altitude and replay over the same interval.
- Record observations and compare flights in similar conditions, keeping data separate from interpretation.
In short
- Distance: distinguish track length from calculated XC or triangle distance.
- Climb rate: altitude change divided by duration, in m/s; it depends on the selected segment and data quality.
- Compare segments and flights with similar conditions and recording quality. Observed differences suggest debrief questions without automatically isolating the effect of pilot technique.