Depth Perception

[PappaBear]

Hands up all those who have a problem with "Depth perception", in other words the model isn't where you thought it was. I.e over the runway for landing.

Your model is on the final approach for a perfect landing, undercarriage down and locked, wings level, rate of decent excellent. Flair for a perfect landing, right into the grass at the end of the runway. As one gets older this becomes more of a problem, and I'm sure many of our older pilots will testify to this. If you suffer with this issue, try this little trick the next time you go flying.

On the final approach when the model is set up right, the wings level, the height and speed about right. Take your eyes momentarily off the model and glance at the point on the runway you want the model to touch down. Then focus back on the model and you will find the model is not where you thought it was. At this point you can make the necessary adjustments to bring the model to the point you want it. Please note I am only talking about milliseconds with this idea, but it does work.

Like everything else, as we get older the eyes are not what they used to be when we were younger, the above works for me. Try it and see how you get on.

[Lon]

RE: Depth Perception

Hands up all those who have a problem with "Depth perception", in other words the model isn't where you thought it was. I.e over the runway for landing.

Your model is on the final approach for a perfect landing, undercarriage down and locked, wings level, rate of decent excellent. Flair for a perfect landing, right into the grass at the end of the runway. As one gets older this becomes more of a problem, and I'm sure many of our older pilots will testify to this. If you suffer with this issue, try this little trick the next time you go flying.

On the final approach when the model is set up right, the wings level, the height and speed about right. Take your eyes momentarily off the model and glance at the point on the runway you want the model to touch down. Then focus back on the model and you will find the model is not where you thought it was. At this point you can make the necessary adjustments to bring the model to the point you want it.  Please note I am only talking about milliseconds with this idea, but it does work.

Like everything else, as we get older the eyes are not what they used to be when we were younger, the above works for me. Try it and see how you get on.

Yes, my hands up! Hmmm....I will try that.

[CT]

RE: Depth Perception

Hands up all those who have a problem with "Depth perception", in other words the model isn't where you thought it was. I.e over the runway for landing.

Your model is on the final approach for a perfect landing, undercarriage down and locked, wings level, rate of decent excellent. Flair for a perfect landing, right into the grass at the end of the runway. As one gets older this becomes more of a problem, and I'm sure many of our older pilots will testify to this. If you suffer with this issue, try this little trick the next time you go flying.

On the final approach when the model is set up right, the wings level, the height and speed about right. Take your eyes momentarily off the model and glance at the point on the runway you want the model to touch down. Then focus back on the model and you will find the model is not where you thought it was. At this point you can make the necessary adjustments to bring the model to the point you want it.  Please note I am only talking about milliseconds with this idea, but it does work.

Like everything else, as we get older the eyes are not what they used to be when we were younger, the above works for me. Try it and see how you get on.

I like others suffer from depth perception I guess due to age, for those of you out there who have had Lasik surgery has it helped depth perception???
CT

[wvrailfan]

RE: Depth Perception

I have zero depth perception as a result of a medical condition.  However, since I have never had it and have seen everything 2D my entire life, I don't know what I'm missing and get along without it.  I guess my brain finds ways to compensate because I have been driving cars for 40 years and have never had an accident.

I do stand pretty close to the runway when I am taking off and landing, so I can see about where my plane is in relation to the runway, but generally, I manage to get it on the runway most of the time.

jim

[WintrSol]

RE: Depth Perception

The last time I crashed my Pandora (tail-dragger config), I was doing a low and slow approach and, of course, the headwind dropped as I was less than a foot above the end of the runway; snagged a wheel in the grass, and that was it. At least it was slow enough that very little damage was done, just a few cracks in the plastic that supports the LG. Another lesson that was re-learned - one can't depend on the wind, ever.

[Rocketeer]

RE: Depth Perception

Greetings Gang,

GUILTY!!!

Depth perception has been a real issue for me when landing.

There are times when I would have bet the entire ranch I was dead center over the runway only to come up short!!!

Lately, I have been doing a bit of what Martin suggested and doing a "DAAABLE CHECK"!! to insure I'm over the runway!

Or at least marking my landing spot deeper into the runway to eliminate any possibility of coming up short.
That plays hell with your roll out though..

Bill L.
In Okla.

[Grossman56]

RE: Depth Perception

Yes, I too am guilty, I was landing the Pandora over a fence and could have swore I was over it, hooked the L/G on the top of it, some damage to the gear , but nothing major.
I'll definitely try that Martin.  On sunny days the planes shadow helps a lot as well.

Grossman56 

[skillett]

RE: Depth Perception

My hands up. Consistantly coming up just short (3' plus)

(almost landed on top of a hangar).

[doctormike]

RE: Depth Perception

My only problem with depth perception is lineing up with the center of the runway. I learned that on your final, the airplane should look like it is coming right toward you. When it gets close, you see that it is right on center. This works for me (most of the time). Doc

[Lon]

RE: Depth Perception

My only problem with depth perception is lineing up with the center of the runway. I learned that on your final, the airplane should look like it is coming right toward you. When it gets close, you see that it is right on center. This works for me (most of the time). Doc

Doc
A experienced flyer told me to do that too
This works well for me too.

[Grossman56]

RE: Depth Perception

My hands up.  Consistantly coming up just short (3' plus)

(almost landed on top of a hangar).

Hey Jimmy, depends on what your flying.  If its a high wing trainer type of plane, pull back a bit on your elevator to increase glide, correct with ailerons.  Just before touchdown, give it more up elevator to flare it and land.  With the low wing trainers like the Pandora its the same, except you can drop some flaps to give more lift.  The wife and I were doing that yesterday with her Apprentice.  She was greasing landings in a crosswind.  If you're constantly short, do a few low speed/ low altitude passes as practice runs.  Then you can get a feel for what she looks like when she's over the runway.  Knowing when to chop throttle is a judgment thing, depending on speed and wind.  Find a point at the end of the runway to complete your turn to final that allows you to fly right over the runway.  Oh yeah, very important, realize your landing starts with a good base leg approach.  Establish your speed and altitude on base and begin a gradual descent. Do a level turn to final over your waypoint and you should be good.  Practice it a few times and if it looks good, chop throttle and land.
No matter what I'm flying, from P51 Waco or Apprentice, I do the same.  I trim the plane so she flies level at five clicks of throttle so that when I decrease a click, she'll start to descend, I can use the throttle in clicks to control descent as well as elevator.  Oh yeah, don't dive for the runway!!!

BTW Doc's right on that, I've used that method to land as well, I become the waypoint. I fly towards me and then kick it out slightly to land in front of me.

Grossman56

[Rocketeer]

RE: Depth Perception

Greetings GMan,

Sounds like a quote from your flight school textbook.  ;) 


Bill L.
In Okla.

[Pheonix]

RE: Depth Perception

The above are all good advice.  We have a little over-hand on the runway where I fly and I must have destroyed two or maybe three planes miss-judging the approach.  What I do now is start my descend high enough and get just over the runway with about one-third power.  I then use the throttle to finish the landing, adding elevator for the flare.  I have not missed one since this adjustment.  It is all a matter of finding a spot to use for set up that fits your particular approach. Practice, as mentioned above, a couple of touch and go until you find your spot.  Happy landings.

[Hippie 64]

RE: Depth Perception

If it wasn't for the football field I fly at it would be a bad day for me . I've been a truck driver for 30 years with no problems but trying to come in to land is another matter. I'm glad it's as wide as it is .
I'm guilty of starting my final too short and having to do again. I have a hill on one end and a fence and trees on the other . 
A few of you may remember a small discussion I had with the cutting down of a tree that reached up and grabbed my plane !  :D

Bryan 

[Grossman56]

RE: Depth Perception

Hi Bryan:
When you are on base, start losing altitude gradually, make a level turn to final and aim the plane at yourself. then kick it slightly out and it will land right in front of you.  I used to do that all the time in the school parking lot.  Lots of obstacles, like fences and light poles , so I had to if I didn't want an ongoing shopping list of spare parts.

Speaking of this challenge.  The airstrip where Diane and I are flying now is 500 feet long and about 20 to 25 feet wide.  I was asking one of the execs of the club why we don't have more fly ins here and he said that people don't like this field because the runway isn't wide enough!! Diane can hit the runway every time, what the heck!!

Grossman56i

[Pauly]

RE: Depth Perception

LOL Hippie I think that was Tree Beard from Lord Of The Rings that grabbed your plane. Doctormike that is one thing that a friend told me about approach. Have to where it looks as if its coming to you or it's lined up with you and it will end up pretty much where it's suppose to be when you touch down. (Hopefully)

[Grossman56]

RE: Depth Perception

It works great!  Also, when you have a little altitude, try stalling the airplane to see what it will do.  Tapered wing planes like my P51s will fall off on one wing.  High wing planes tend to mush as well as low wing non tapered wings.  Good to know what it will do if you suddenly find a lack of airspeed.
Yes, I learned some of this from flight school, and some by trial and error.  But I also applied it to my flying because frankly, it works.

Grossman56

[Hippie 64]

RE: Depth Perception

Thanks Gman . Been trying to just take off route then land . Over and over. You know what they say , Practice Practice Practice. 

Pauly it was more like King Kong on top of the Towers grabbing it then wanting to keep it !  Have chainsaw will cut !! Loved hearing the groaning of it crashing down !! 

Pauly you need to pack up and come up and let's fly soon, leave the ol' lady at home . Just kidding bring my daughter when you come . 

Bryan.  A.K.A. Tree Killer 

[Iowa54]

RE: Depth Perception

This was a good read for me. I'm partially blind in 1 eye and I always seem land in the grass on the far side of the runway. Aiming the plane right at me has helped a lot . A little rudder kick towards the end and usually I'm on the runway.

[Grossman56]

RE: Depth Perception

Lately, just for the fun of it, I'll take the Pandora and get the tail up on take off, but just hold her on the runway, get speed up and pull her up, its great practice keeping her going straight, but once the tail is up (on all the birds actually) they track pretty straight.  Of course the more powerful the plane, the more its going to have a tendency to pull left.
With the Pitts and the Mustangs, I really go easy on the throttle increase on takeoff.  BBD will hop into the air with very little effort and with the tricked up mods on her now, it doesn't take much for her to get to speed, half throttle and she's already twenty feet in the air!
Old Crow, on the other hand is a little different.  With the extra weight of the sound system and the extra battery, she needs the runway.  Take off flaps as well, much more scale take off is required, just think of the pilots taking off with a full load of fuel, bombs and ammo.
I think I'll take Lon's advice and upgrade to an 85A Mantis ESC and go 5S batteries with her.

Anyway, sorry to ramble, OGM (old guy moment)
Merry Christmas to All!!

Grossman56