180° turns on the runway
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 510
Likes: 0
From: New York
The 747 is very challenging to 180 on a 150' wide runway. I prefer to turn left to keep myself on the inside of the turn. However, I have known visual reference points on the windscreen frame to help judge when the right wing gear is approaching the edge of the pavement before initiating the left 180.
When first learning to taxi the airplane, I had the other pilot actually go out on the ramp one day and walk straight ahead from the wing gear so as to calibrate my eyes to some handy visual references from the inside structure of the cockpit.
When first learning to taxi the airplane, I had the other pilot actually go out on the ramp one day and walk straight ahead from the wing gear so as to calibrate my eyes to some handy visual references from the inside structure of the cockpit.
Joined: Sep 1998
Posts: 126
Likes: 0
From: Oxon, UK
When first learning to taxi the airplane, I had the other pilot actually go out on the ramp one day and walk straight ahead from the wing gear so as to calibrate my eyes to some handy visual references from the inside structure of the cockpit.
This is an excellent idea and one I was shown when I first converted to widebodies as capt. I have always employed it when line training new capts, but as far as I'm aware I am the only one doing it in my company!
FWIW, with a turning bay at the rwy end McDD always recommended turning into the bay first before doing the 180, as one lost less line-up distance that way. I'm sure everyone has their own opinion on this one!!
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 476
Likes: 2
Road trip, stated min radius turn for 747 in my books is 153 ft and I am not advised to attempt it unless 180' or more....extra tolerance as well as potential for FOD on # 2 and 3 with overhang on grass. Further DCDriver, as far as I know I am the only one who stands outside and shows eyeline to new crew on wing gear....still shake my head.
