tips for landing centerline?

[jieitai]

I'm having issues landing on the centerline, particularly with 737/747/777. I find myself drifting around the centerpoint; I can't seem to get the thing to go straight.

[Brett_Henderson]

A stabilized approach is the key. Already lined up well out.. properly configured (flaps, gear etc), and most importantly, AT the proper airspeed.. Then, you just pretty much wait for the runway to come to you, focusing on the departure end for slight alignment adjustments.

It sounds like you might be coming in a little fast, and trying to fly it to the runway...

Of course, trying to learn a stabilized approach technique in a big, fast jet is your true mistake.

Get the concept nailed in the C172, and then work your way up the speed/complexity ladder

[Hord]

That's a problem that I have to, as well as ILS Landings when I'm flying airliners, but no problems with military...

(If you're asking you're self who I am, read this, 'cuz I'm new here: http://www.simviation.com/cgi-bin/yabb2 ... 1228697533)

Thank you..!

[Al_Fallujah]

Have you tried it with a cross wind yet?

The above post was right, master it in smaller planes and work your way up.

An instructor told me once, while we were on final, "Just keep working your feet [on the rudder pedals] to keep your right leg on that centerline.

If you have the rudder linked to the aileron controls (default setting in FSX) you  might find it more difficult. I have no good recommendations for you if that is the case.

[lunitic_8]

if you are landing it in VC of 2D cockpit just keep the runway in the middle of the window and just keep practicing

[jieitai]

I've mastered landing in the C172, but I can't get a steady approach well out, because when I'm well out, I can't even see the runway.

How do you get lined up "well out"? ILS? I know how to read ILS, but none of the manuals bother to tell you the most important part of ILS: turning the bloody thing on to the runway you're landing at. But on the 777, I can't even find an ILS gauge.

[Brett_Henderson]

I've mastered landing in the C172, but I can't get a steady approach well out, because when I'm well out, I can't even see the runway.

How do you get lined up "well out"? ILS? I know how to read ILS, but none of the manuals bother to tell you the most important part of ILS: turning the bloody thing on to the runway you're landing at. But on the 777, I can't even find an ILS gauge.

Forget ILS.. forget all that fancy stuff. ILS is for when you can't see the runway, even up close

[jieitai]

My situational awareness is fine (so long as I'm in the VC). The issue I'm having is that when I'm turning from Base to Final, I either underestimate or overestimate the turning capabilities of my aircraft. I may be on a heading of 320, but I may be left of the runway, or right of the runway. Then when I correct for that, I overshoot, and then when I correct that, I overshoot again.

[Brett_Henderson]

Oh.. and the ILS gauge is built into the HSI. And, depending on the gauge/panel used.. it's also built into the attitude indicator. These jet cockpits are complex and can be overwhelming.

The transition from C172 (and its simple set of VOR heads), to the Baron (entry level HSI), to KingAir, to Lear (Glideslope built into the attitude indicator) to big-jet, let's you absorb it all, a little at a time.

[Brett_Henderson]

My situational awareness is fine (so long as I'm in the VC). The issue I'm having is that when I'm turning from Base to Final, I either underestimate or overestimate the turning capabilities of my aircraft. I may be on a heading of 320, but I may be left of the runway, or right of the runway. Then when I correct for that, I overshoot, and then when I correct that, I overshoot again.

Turning base to final in a jet (while you're learning) should be happening far enough out that you have margin for error. Very few turns to final are dead on, even for experienced pilots  :)  As for the rest, you're still thinking in terms of "flying" to the runway.

What is your airspeed when turning final ? And how far out are you ?

[jieitai]

Usually around 230kts, 20 miles. When I'm about 30 seconds from landing, it appears that I'm lined up with the centerline, but when it comes time for me to flare I find that I'm actually left (usually left, rarely right) of the centerline. I've tried correcting with the rudder, but when I kick the rudder, the plane will yaw, but when I release the rudder, the plane will snap back to its original position.

[Brett_Henderson]

That's plenty far out.. and the airpseed is fine out there.

How are you configured 5 miles out ?

[Brett_Henderson]

On that note.. Are you trying to land heavy ? As in, a short flight and lots of fuel still on board ?  Your approach speed is VERY weight dependent..

If this is the case.. start the flight with a light fuel load.

[jieitai]

I didn't think about the fuel load. When I practice I just take off, fly in a circle and land.

It still sounds like your "flying" it to the runway

That doesn't really make sense to me. I am flying a plane to the runway...if I weren't flying the plane to the runway, the plane wouldn't be flying at all.

[BAW0343]

So what he's trying to get at is your still new at this. You simply need to slow down and learn the basics. The jets with those triple numbers are very complicated and need a lot of practice to get the hang of. The simplest way to learn is to start on the smaller planes as there is less you need to manage. Once you learn the basics then you can apply them to the big aircraft.

It still sounds like your "flying" it to the runway

That doesn't really make sense to me. I am flying a plane to the runway...if I weren't flying the plane to the runway, the plane wouldn't be flying at all.

What he means as if an aircraft is at the proper settings and speeds will practically fly itself. If you set an aircraft at the proper manifold pressure and the correct RPM all you will have to do is angle the plane to fly at its Vy during a climb. All you need to do is set the trim and you can let go of the yoke and it aircraft will do its thing.