B737NG Taxi Reference

[JT8D-17]

I'm a fairly new Captain on the 737NG and I'm settling in fairly well but one thing that is bugging me is not being able to get the nose wheel dead centre on the parking stand centre line every time! I'm always close but some guys nail it every time. The LTC's during training said it takes practise and did not seem worried but my pride is nagging me.

What reference, whether it's a body part or aircraft part, inside or outside do you guys use to get it bang on the centre of the centre line every time?

Thanks:ok:

[Lord Spandex Masher]

It'll be different for everyone depending on how you sit.

[Kefuddle]

Eh? The wiper nut puts the nose wheel over the line when straight and the window corner strut and central pillar corners when turning. Boeing have thought of everything.

[Lord Spandex Masher]

To get the kind if accuracy the OP wants isn't possible using one fixed point of reference simply because the seat moves fore and aft and up and down, even recline will change the parallax, everyone sits in a different position.

Plus, if I move my head to the side by an inch even with the same seat position the nut ain't over the line anymore is it.

[despegue]

With time, you will learn that there are more important things than putting the nosewheel exactly centre line...but my trick is to put the centre line exactly on your right leg. Try it. It works:ok:
By the way, Smooth taxi is much more important for safety and comfort:ok:

[Capt Chambo]

What Kefuddle said:ok:

[RAT 5]

Put any line right between your legs. It works from both sides, oddly. Some will argue that is not possible because of the offset of the seats, but it does. It is much easier than looking at the wiper bolt. That is also a successful guide, but it means a constant changing focus from near to far vision. I hope you don't use that during takeoff for the rwy centreline. The leg method works best.

[cosmo kramer]

No, what despegue said :ok: :E

By the way, if you are doing narrow runway ops, you should be more concerned where your main gears are. A good tip is to get someone stand in front of the aircraft in front on each main gear (when on the stand). Notice where they are standing with reference to the windows. It will help you later on when you have to do a backtrack on a 30 meter runway.

[Amadis of Gaul]

Congrats on the upgrade!

[de facto]

For landing use despegue method...(inner right leg on center line),but thats the same technique i was taught from my PPL to land on the center line sonithing new.
To nail the parking position you can use the line between your Two main DUs,align it with the centerline.
But please please dont focus too much on it so to avoid forgetting to brake:E

[maggot738]

I'm sorry guys, but when coming onto stand there is only one place to be looking. Not at your inside leg, not at your DEU's but outside the aircraft keeping an eye on the AGNIS, the marshaller or the guidance lines / stop bars. Getting bang on the line develops with experience. Don't stress about it.

[cosmo kramer]

Do you need to look at your legs to know where they are? :E

[shlittlenellie]

10+ years. Right knee. As despegue said. There are many places where there's no AGNIS. The tip about getting someone to stand in front of the aircraft in-line with the wingtip and then main gear - all while you sit in your seat in the strapped-in flying position - is invaluable. As is reading the FCTM to determine how far away an obstacle has to be from the nose to clear it with the wingtips when self-manoeuvrering. There will be more than a few here that have had to pace it out to check before attempting to move the plane on a dark night somewhere with no help from anyone on the ground.

[de facto]

I'm sorry guys, but when coming onto stand there is only one place to be looking. Not at your inside leg, not at your DEU's but outside the aircraft keeping an eye on the AGNIS, the marshaller or the guidance lines / stop bars.

How about when you land?looking for the marshaller as well?:D

[maggot738]

I'm sorry, I thought the context of the original question was reference to PARKING. Oh, thats right, it is. Thanks for reminding me why I very rarely post on PPRUNE.

[de facto]

It is the same isnt it?you can use your inner leg for maintaining a fixed line in the center during parking,as to avoid your marshaller correcting you in the first place,just as you can during landing to land on the centerline,that is without having to look at your leg...:eek:

Oh and the question was how to nail the centerline,not how to nail the marshaller:E

[Lord Spandex Masher]

No it isn't.

There is a difference in observational position between taxiing and flaring and you will need a different reference point to ensure your lateral displacement from the centreline is the same.

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.

[800driver]

Next time you taxi, play a game of running the nose wheel over the taxi centre line lights. This will give you an idea to choose a reference point( wiper nut, is one. Imagine if you were sitting on the ground and where your right knee would be works for me) Do keep an eye on where you are going though :)

[RAT 5]

Every time the F/O landed right of the C.L. I asked them how they were referencing the C.L. visually. They all said trying to put it in line with their left leg. It NEVER worked. Every time I suggested they put it between their legs they all said it was easier and also more accurate. They proved the point by thumping many C.L. lights then squeezing a little rudder to bring them a gnat's cock off the C.L. It still didn't look like their left knee was the reference. I did the same for >+10 years from both seats and it worked: B737. I guess the big boys might use legs & knees and other accessories. But then again we are talking minute fractional tiny distances and and not worth a bun fight about.

QED.

[de facto]

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.

News to me that the 737 had different lateral seating options.:p

[cosmo kramer]

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.

Running the right leg over the centerline works for everyone. Just to clarify: the method is not to stare at your right leg, or even shifting your view between outside and inside to watch your leg.

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). ;)

[Torque Tonight]

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.

[Kefuddle]

What Torque said :ok:

[Lord Spandex Masher]

although I'm sure many don't

That's kind of my point. I can't even get the same position between different flight decks.

Running the right leg over the centerline works for everyone.

Roughly, but in the context of the OP, which was being within a gnats cock, it isn't good enough.

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'.

[cosmo kramer]

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. :ok:

[de facto]

:D
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:p

4) Put on oxygen mask and tell your co-pilot that you are his father.
Not sure what that means,,,but damn funny:D

[Oakape]

Not sure what that means,,,but damn funny

Darth Vader/Luke Skywalker reference perhaps.