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Why do they always land on the left?

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Why do they always land on the left?

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Old 19th Oct 2009, 09:25
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As a recent student I can confirm that left side landings for me was due to overcompensating for the left seating. Seated 50cm to the left, but compensating 2-3 meters. Anyway, nowdays I land either to the left or right of that centerline on purpose when I'm approaching a well used grass runway.
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Old 19th Oct 2009, 10:43
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I agree with A and C, although i would sudgest people are used to and confident in operating a machine with dashed lines on their right from car driving.

I wonder what side they land on in the USA etc?

Over to them i guess
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Old 19th Oct 2009, 16:51
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Poor old Fred. I guess you would not consider the feelings of the glide slope fairies are worth consideration either.
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Old 20th Oct 2009, 06:27
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Similar tendency noticed in helicopters. When approaching to confined areas, most people go closer to the side they are sitting (and occasionally hit the blade tips). Only answer is to note something at the far end in the middle and aim at it.

After realising this, I noticed the same tendency when people park cars.
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Old 20th Oct 2009, 10:07
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Left of centerline

Old but good:

Upon landing:

Tower: "Captain, on your approach you were left of the center line for the entire approach."

Captain: " That is correct sir, and my first officer was slightly on the right side."
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Old 20th Oct 2009, 17:37
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Ok, lets paint those lines slightly to the right next time they need to be updated
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Old 21st Oct 2009, 09:00
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.......... and each time you change runway ends.
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Old 21st Oct 2009, 15:51
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So instructors and first officers must land on the right?!

FOK
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Old 22nd Oct 2009, 07:00
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boof and fred--
much thanks for your pragmatic observations.
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Old 22nd Oct 2009, 12:59
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It's due to the rotation of the earth. When lining up with the centreline on final, the earth would have moved a few inches by the time you reached the threshold, thereby putting you off the centreline.
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Old 22nd Oct 2009, 17:05
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It's due to the rotation of the earth. When lining up with the centreline on final, the earth would have moved a few inches by the time you reached the threshold, thereby putting you off the centreline.
Does this mean that in the Southern hemisphere they'd land on the right? (Coriolis effect and all that)
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Old 22nd Oct 2009, 19:15
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What an excellent question - something I've wondered about for many a year ! Personally I go with the earth rotating type explanation. As far the rest of the reasons people are giving, dont listen to them - they are just trying to baffle you with science and mechanics.

I've noticed that flying members of the Flat Earth Society have no problems. Mind you, they do go off the far edge sometimes.
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