Hi all, I would like to know how you can land your aircraft on the centre line. I have tried time and time again but I will also touch down off to an angle from the centre line. Does anyone have any tips or advice?Aaron G.

One tip I use is to visualize the centre line extended from between your legs down the runway....always keep the line between your legs....or use CAT III Autoland :Peace:cheersgreg

One tip I use is to visualize the centre line extended from between your legs down the runway....always keep the line between your legs....or use CAT III Autoland :Peace:cheersgreg

Thanks, I am totally against autoland.Aaron G.

You should be stabilized on final about 1-2 miles out. Then small corrections...

One assumes that you are properly on the glide slope!!!! Once you flare and throttle back aim for the vanishing point i.e. the other end of the rwy.vololiberista

Is yours an optical problem, e. g. where to centre the line (means no reference in the VC), or is it that the last few nm give you an offset for whatever reason?If you load a plane, place it exactly on the centre line with e. g. slew and then look at some VC reference to use on that plane. You then should have an optical reference point. But mind trimwheel's tip too. However, every model should give you a unique spot you may use as reference. Some even give you reference points for adjusting your viewpoint on the preflight.So you will end up looking for the prominent 'scratch' on the 747 glareshield for example or the white markers in the MD-11. Or you remember to aim for the panel line right between PFD and ND on other planes. The rest is getting used to aiming at that spot and it won't get easier if you land with some crosswind of course. Sounds like fun. :(

Is yours an optical problem, e. g. where to centre the line (means no reference in the VC), or is it that the last few nm give you an offset for whatever reason?If you load a plane, place it exactly on the centre line with e. g. slew and then look at some VC reference to use on that plane. You then should have an optical reference point. But mind trimwheel's tip too. However, every model should give you a unique spot you may use as reference. Some even give you reference points for adjusting your viewpoint on the preflight.So you will end up looking for the prominent 'scratch' on the 747 glareshield for example or the white markers in the MD-11. Or you remember to aim for the panel line right between PFD and ND on other planes. The rest is getting used to aiming at that spot and it won't get easier if you land with some crosswind of course. Sounds like fun. :(

Thanks, it is more of an optical problem.Aaron G.

As CoolP and trimwheel advise, keep that centerline (or taxi line as the case might be) right between your legs (or directly in center of your line-of-sight, if that sounds more comfortable ). For too long, I kept imagining that I had to keep it to my right a bit....wrong! I'm not in a car (in the USA...) afterall.

Edited February 12, 201214 yr by RudiJG1

As CoolP and trimwheel advise, keep that centerline (or taxi line as the case might be) right between your legs (or directly in center of your line-of-sight, if that sounds more comfortable ). For too long, I kept imagining that I had to keep it to my right a bit....wrong! I'm not in a car (in the USA...) afterall.

Lol. You had me in laughing fits! Will try your advice.Aaron G.

Lol. You had me in laughing fits! Will try your advice.

There's nothing funny about that advice: That's exactly what you have to do.As for touching down at an angle to the centerline, you are probably landing with some cross-wind component.When landing with a cross wind, there are two strategies:

1. Continue crabbing until just before touchdown, then kick the crab out with the rudder, and
2. Forward slip the at 500ft AGL.

Larger aircraft like the 747 use the first method, smaller GA aircraft use the second.Cheers,- jahman.

Edited February 13, 201214 yr by jahman

I explain taxiing/landing/takeoff with a visualization most men can appreciate. Mowing! When I want to mow a long, straight path, I do so by looking at a reference point (the Bradford Pear trees at the end of the yard) further away and keeping the mower tracking towards the reference point. Tracking a straight line is simpler because I'm less inclined to over-correct or focus too closely. This tip seems to be helpful for some student pilots, I've found, and solves a lot of traffic pattern issues and "center line chasing". Pick a distant reference point straight ahead (straight track), and keep it straight ahead! The same is true for takeoff in smaller aircraft when VFR. To track the center line after takeoff, you should have picked a reference point on the ground straight ahead and in line with the runway.I hope that makes sense. I have serious issues translating my thoughts/lessons to text via the forums.

I explain taxiing/landing/takeoff with a visualization most men can appreciate. Mowing! When I want to mow a long, straight path, I do so by looking at a reference point (the Bradford Pear trees at the end of the yard) further away and keeping the mower tracking towards the reference point. Tracking a straight line is simpler because I'm less inclined to over-correct or focus too closely. This tip seems to be helpful for some student pilots, I've found, and solves a lot of traffic pattern issues and "center line chasing". Pick a distant reference point straight ahead (straight track), and keep it straight ahead! The same is true for takeoff in smaller aircraft when VFR. To track the center line after takeoff, you should have picked a reference point on the ground straight ahead and in line with the runway.I hope that makes sense. I have serious issues translating my thoughts/lessons to text via the forums.

My instructor gives me the same kind of tips. Wait was that you last time?? :( .... :(

Edited February 13, 201214 yr by benorg

Mowing!

I thought "mowing" was when you mistakenly landed on the taxiway! :LMAO:You are absolutely right, though. And eyes on the horizon for the flare is the other tip.Cheers,- jahman.

Taxiing and taking off maintaining a straight line seems to be a wide spread problem judging by the many youtube videos I've seen.I have had this problem forever until I bought myself the saitek pedals. However landing a GA plane right on the center line is a bit more difficult even with the pedals. This is without using autopilot of course.I always end up a bit to the left or to the right of the line.

Edited February 13, 201214 yr by peroni

Some fsx 2d panels and vc's are designed with the AI and DG in line with the runway centre line as in the BN-2A Islander which makes it a bit better when attempting to land.did a run this morning and almost achieved it, takes quite abit of concentration and practice for me.

Edited February 13, 201214 yr by onebob