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From: rlr@avsdS.UUCP (Rhode L. Roberts)
Newsgroups: net.aviation
Subject: Re: Eyeballing the Runway
Message-ID: <3@avsdS.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 26-Mar-85 17:57:19 EST
Article-I.D.: avsdS.3
Posted: Tue Mar 26 17:57:19 1985
Date-Received: Tue, 2-Apr-85 20:53:46 EST
References: <1075@phoenix.UUCP>
Organization: Ampex Audio-Video Engineering, Redwood City, CA
Lines: 60

> How do you look at the runway when landing an airplane ?
> 
> I was trained to look over the nose as far down the runway
> as possible.  The idea was to judge height by monitoring
> the perspective of the runway.  I've found this especially
> valuable during night landings without the landing light on.
> 
> I've just completed a course of dual instruction to validate
> my FAA licence.  My instructor/examiner for this course
> insisted that as I lift the nose to flare, I should look straight 
> down at the runway out the side window!
> 
> This didn't work for me at all.  It was just a meaningless blur.
> I got no feeling of depth, and my landings were lousy.
> I passed the test by cheating and flicking my eyes right for
> a quick peek over the nose when he wasn't looking.
> 
> Am I just a Bozo or is this THE way to eyeball the runway ?
> -- 
> 				
> Made in New Zealand -->		Brent Callaghan
> 				AT&T Information Systems, Lincroft, NJ
> 				{ihnp4|ahuta|pegasus}!phoenix!brent
> 				(201) 576-3475

You are right!
I was taught to make only one style of landing, day or night.

In effect;
	After getting to the "fence", line the
	end of the engine cowling up with either
	the opposite (FAR) end of the runway ( day ),
	or, line the engine cowling up on the lights
	at the opposite (FAR) end of the runway
	( obviously night ).  After getting all of
	of this lined up, carry just a little bit
	of power (100/200 rpm or so above idle) and
	let it settle in.

You can prove the logic of this.  Next time you are
"in position and holding for takeoff" note the nose
low attitude of aircraft.  Look at the relationship
of the engine cowling and the far end of the runway.
If you could at that time some how "lift" the nose
of the aircraft to align the cowling edge with the
far end of the runway, you would be in a perfect
landing attitude with the mains touching.  That is
the (flare) attitude you should always try to be
in at landing.  If that attitude is "set" just at
the threshold for a night landing and "held", you
will grease it on every time, same for days.  And
no more of this "different way to land during the
day compared to night".

Works all the time every time.

R. Roberts
Ampex Corporation
One of the Signal Companies
Redwood City, Ca.