Center line Woes-Whoa, Stay on Center line! Some Very “Un Zen” Suggestions to Help Pilots Stay Centered
Hello,
I am a CFI looking for a suggestion. How can I help my students stay on center line throughout the flare and landing? I stress the importance on the ground and provide gentle reminders on final, but consistently they land to the left. I explain the left turning tendencies on the flare and what I call “rudder as appropriate” awareness for the wind/landing conditions. I teach in California now but when I was in New Jersey and the wind was always a factor, it seemed like that created an atmosphere of maintaining the center line better.
As the student is beginning to land consistently well, I challenge them to land on the center line on the last landing and if they do, I won’t charge for my time that day. Across the board, they do much better so I know they can do it if they hold themselves to a higher standard.
Old Dog Needing a New Trick
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Hey,
Want to hear something interesting? I don’t think landing to the left of center line has as much to do with aerodynamic tendencies as psychological ones. It seems to have everything to do with visibility. Pilots are just happier leaving more leeway out the far side of the airplane where they can’t see quite as well. Know what gave it away? The CFI candidates I’ve flown with. They all start landing right of the center line when they make the transition to flying from the right side of the plane! It’s funny except when it’s frustrating. As you’ve noticed, give ‘em a good reason and they can land where they should. So my suggestion is that we give them a good reason, but NOT the kind of reason that interferes with your paycheck!
Unless you’re independently wealthy or have a significant other significantly contributing, living on CFI pay can be tricky. No matter what it is they’re paying you for your efforts, I guarantee you that it’s not enough! I know the pursuit of flight training is expensive, but subsidizing your students at your own expense is not bringing the cost for them down enough to balance the cost to you. Even if the pennies themselves aren’t the issue, consider that people tend to value what they pay for. They may not see an instructor’s time as being quite as valuable if you’ll give it away for free. Instructor pay and what that implies about the respect level we issue our flight instructors have never been high enough considering that you’re hiring a pilot and a teacher all at the same time. A person who will save your life over and over again as around and around you go. Ok. I’m stepping off the soapbox now, and bracing for the barrage of email…
Practical suggestions? As you’ve noticed, the stronger the wind, the harder they work to land on centerline. Same thing goes with narrower runways. Is there perhaps an airport with less width to the runways and a restaurant/coffee pot/other excuse to visit in your neck of the woods? Tell them that’s the goal, but until they put it on center line 3 times in a row without any help from you, they don’t get to go there. Build that sucker up. Any destination is exciting if you sell it that way, and once they have a reason, you’ll probably notice a lot more consistency in their landings.
If you must make bets with them (it IS kinda fun), wager for coffee. Wager for donuts. Wager for lunch. Just PLEASE don’t wager your wages!
Have fun out there,
Mom
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