B737NG Taxi Reference
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Exactly the same effect between different people and different seat positions which is why your single point of reference for taxiing will not work for everybody. Still.
The method is to let an imaginary line run through your right leg (your should be able to feel and know where your right leg is without looking), all the way outside the cockpit, and align this line with the taxi line.
(Of course we are talking about taxing, for landing put your butt on the centerline - hope you know how to find that too without looking).
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Spandex, you mention seat adjustment several times. The idea is that people of varying body dimensions adjust the seat as required to achieve a consistent reference eye position. Seat position and body shape should not actually change the perspective if pilots are adjusting their seats correctly (although I'm sure many don't).
de facto, the question was clearly about nailing the parking line, and it was something that bugged me too for a while when changed seats. The nut on the left edge of the line seemed to work pretty well for me, but after a while you just develop the feel for it and use the force. Following a marshaller is often less precise than my own judgement.
Regarding runway centreline, which was not the original question, in both seats I tend to put the line directly beneath my ass, as it gives me the best visual reference of lateral displacement and yaw and keeps the nosewheel a smidge to one side of the lights.
de facto, the question was clearly about nailing the parking line, and it was something that bugged me too for a while when changed seats. The nut on the left edge of the line seemed to work pretty well for me, but after a while you just develop the feel for it and use the force. Following a marshaller is often less precise than my own judgement.
Regarding runway centreline, which was not the original question, in both seats I tend to put the line directly beneath my ass, as it gives me the best visual reference of lateral displacement and yaw and keeps the nosewheel a smidge to one side of the lights.
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Originally Posted by Torque
although I'm sure many don't
Originally Posted by Cosmo
Running the right leg over the centerline works for everyone.
Imagine, if you will, a dwarf with a shorter body than yours. Now imagine a lanky bloke with a longer body than yours. Then imagine the angular difference of the line between their eyes and their legs. If you're trying to line that eye line up on the centreline you will be further displaced from it if you're a dwarf.
Just sayin'.
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No, your right leg is still in the same place no matter if you are a dwarf or a giant.
If we would continue with using "the force" metaphor:
1) Put a lightsaber on top and parallel to your right thigh.
2) Turn it on and let it melt it's way trough the radome.
3) steer the aircraft to aim the laser beam between the eyes of the marshaller.
Optional:
4) Put on oxygen mask and tell your co-pilot that you are his father.
If we would continue with using "the force" metaphor:
1) Put a lightsaber on top and parallel to your right thigh.
2) Turn it on and let it melt it's way trough the radome.
3) steer the aircraft to aim the laser beam between the eyes of the marshaller.
Optional:
4) Put on oxygen mask and tell your co-pilot that you are his father.
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So try to align the line between the two DUs in front of you and the centerline...its very accurate even if your legs are cowboy style
4) Put on oxygen mask and tell your co-pilot that you are his father.
