B737NG Taxi Reference
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B737NG Taxi Reference
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
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
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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.
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.
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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
By the way, Smooth taxi is much more important for safety and comfort
By the way, Smooth taxi is much more important for safety and comfort
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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.
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No, what despegue said 
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.
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.
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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
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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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"How about when you land, looking for the marshaller too"
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.
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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...
Oh and the question was how to nail the centerline,not how to nail the marshaller
Oh and the question was how to nail the centerline,not how to nail the marshaller
Last edited by de facto; 14th Aug 2014 at 16:15.
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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.
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.
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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 
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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.
QED.
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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.
