..so lets think about landing a helicopter on a very small pad, do we look way out in the distance to judge our position, height, and velocity for touch down on the pad?
No, of course not. But when teaching students to land helicopters, I tell them to look well ahead, then hover lower, and lower, and just a bit lower....and they land without realising it. I keep insisting they do it that way, because as soon as they look closer and TRY to land, they start mistaking every little movement of a blade of grass for sideways movement of the helicopter, and they never land! But do I do that myself? Well, sort of, and sometimes, depending on circumstances. But it doesn't really matter any more; I just fly the helicopter on to the ground, the same as I fly it anywhere else I need to.
I learned to land nosewheel aircraft by looking well ahead. It worked for me, and prevented that ground rush that's so scary for beginners. Now I just.....land. Not sure how I do it, where I look, or whether I use power for speed or height or all that stuff; I just fly it on to the ground. I've only had a couple of lessons in tailwheel aircraft, but I can see that looking well ahead wouldn't work, especially for someone my height; once I flare, all I can see ahead is the nose!
So there are ways to learn how to do things, and ways you do them when you're reasonably proficient, and maybe they're two different things. I'd appreciate your views on that, Chuck, since I think you've probably more instructing hours than I'll get if I carry on till I'm 100.
Unfortunately I'm off flying in France tomorrow for a few days, and probably won't be able to carry on this interesting discussion.
