Right of center-line
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Right of center-line
Looking for any theories of advice to something that has cropped up today with my flying. Did 8 circuits today in a Grob and found that I was consistently ending up slightly to the right of the center-line. My instructor said that my circuits were good and my approach's are also good but out of all the students she has seen I was the first to end up right instead of left (pointing out that almost all students always are left).
Crosswind was not a factor.
Getting home and jumping on good ol MSFS I found the exact same thing, consistently ending up slightly to the right of the centre line.
Theories?
Crosswind was not a factor.
Getting home and jumping on good ol MSFS I found the exact same thing, consistently ending up slightly to the right of the centre line.
Theories?
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Maybe, because you're sitting on the LHS of the Longitudinal axis or more plainly sitting to the left of the nosewheel. Therefore you're lining your body up with the center-line which means the nose wheel would be of t the right. Maybe go fly an aeroplane where you sit in the middle 
which sounds expensive....
which sounds expensive....
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When I was learning to fly and into my earlier career I had the same problem, it was only when I discovered the RUDDER that the problem went away...
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Yes Rudder may be your new friend, and I wondred if it was a thing of mental conditioning from keeping left on the road.........
Also look at the far end of the runway....... when my landings get shabby, its usually due to looking closer to the plane than the far end!
Also look at the far end of the runway....... when my landings get shabby, its usually due to looking closer to the plane than the far end!
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It is quite possible that I might need to add a bit more rudder, although my instructor didnt pick me up on it (im being flight graded). Might just have to change the way I approach aim point 1.
If you can see the 'centreline' directly down the LHS of the engine in a side-by-side configuration, I'd say that's near on perfect. If you can't see it because you're off to the left - then it begs the question as to what are you using for a guideline.
Once you get off the sealed runways, then it's necessary to use other 'lines' for guidance. These might be other wheeltracks or grader lines on a gravel strip, the farmers ute tracks on pasture, crop lines on stubble paddocks, or even sheep tracks on older pastures.
happy days,
Once you get off the sealed runways, then it's necessary to use other 'lines' for guidance. These might be other wheeltracks or grader lines on a gravel strip, the farmers ute tracks on pasture, crop lines on stubble paddocks, or even sheep tracks on older pastures.
happy days,
You may find that if yr landing off the centerline then you are yet to master the art of controlling an A/C completley. Perhaps the A/C is flying you a little at this time (assuming yr training) You will find as yr experience grows that during the flare where most pilots I would think just go with with the flow of the plane & let it wander off a little you will gain better control & make the plane go where you want it to go rather than you just follow it.
Obviously there are other factors that can have you end off center (such as sudden wind gusts) but I read yr comments as it's happening all the time.
Practice, make it happen, aim to put the craft down in the middle, it's a skill and no one is born with that skill, you develop it.
cheers
Wmk2
Obviously there are other factors that can have you end off center (such as sudden wind gusts) but I read yr comments as it's happening all the time.
Practice, make it happen, aim to put the craft down in the middle, it's a skill and no one is born with that skill, you develop it.
cheers
Wmk2
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Hi,
I've just recently completed a tail-wheel endorsement in a Citabria and was having the same problem, My Instructor picked it up that I wasn't quite holding my wings level on final, I think maybe because it's harder to know where the neutral position of a stick is as apposed to a control column. Another thought to throw into the mix I guess.
I've just recently completed a tail-wheel endorsement in a Citabria and was having the same problem, My Instructor picked it up that I wasn't quite holding my wings level on final, I think maybe because it's harder to know where the neutral position of a stick is as apposed to a control column. Another thought to throw into the mix I guess.
I'm disappointed you stopped flying the cub...Thread Starter
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Oh I will continue to fly the Cub don't you worry haha, just flight grading at FTA so I'm on the Grob.
I think everybody is right in one way or another, obviously as I am still learning and only have low hours it would be a very large contributor to the problem. I have another 2 circuits tomorrow to complete the grading so I will change my technique slightly to fix it. I still was graded high for my circuits so its not making me worry at this stage, but better to get onto it and fix it now then let it follow me.
I think everybody is right in one way or another, obviously as I am still learning and only have low hours it would be a very large contributor to the problem. I have another 2 circuits tomorrow to complete the grading so I will change my technique slightly to fix it. I still was graded high for my circuits so its not making me worry at this stage, but better to get onto it and fix it now then let it follow me.
people end up left of centreline when they try to land with the nosewheel on it... just land with the centreline going right underneath your seat, it's more than accurate enoguh and i know for certain many instructors at fta use that technique to help when students are having trouble judging the approach
Another way of getting it right...
Get your instructor to line it upon the runway centreline for you, then take note of where the centreline sits in relation to cowl/dash. Gives you something to aim for then
Get your instructor to line it upon the runway centreline for you, then take note of where the centreline sits in relation to cowl/dash. Gives you something to aim for then
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In my training I was consistantly left of centreline.
Took me a while to figure it out, but it turned out to be a byproduct of my city road bicycling, where if you don't stay as far left as possible you'll soon be a brown smear on the road surface.
Took me a while to figure it out, but it turned out to be a byproduct of my city road bicycling, where if you don't stay as far left as possible you'll soon be a brown smear on the road surface.
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Perhaps you have one leg shorter than the other, or the plane is bent... Maybe, perhaps a crosswind, trim wheel out, bent rudder tab, ****house spacial orientation, runway moving, lines moving, drunk, stoned, blonde or just plain stupid!
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It might sound simple but a lot of people don't realise until they're told: Make sure the centreline looks completely vertical during the landing approach. Another way to look at it is that the two ends of the runway should be directly on top of each other. If there's anything diagonal about it, you'll land off the centreline.