Aiming Point

Reading the Runway

As you fly toward the runway, look through the windshield. Some spots seem to slide up, some slide down, but one spot stays still. That still spot is where you're going.

The Aiming Point

The spot that does not move in your view. If you keep it on the numbers, you'll land on the numbers.

Numbers Sliding Up

If the numbers drift upward in your view, you're going to overshoot and land long. Add flaps or lower the nose slightly to bring your touchdown closer.

Numbers Sliding Down

If the numbers drift downward, you're going to land short. Reduce flaps a little or raise the nose slightly to stretch your glide.

Military pilots call this the "velocity vector" — a little marker that shows exactly where the airplane is going. You're learning to see it with just your eyes!

Instructor Setup

C172 G1000 on a stabilized power-off final, flaps available, lined up with the runway at the home airport. Plan about 20 minutes. Calm winds so the aiming-point picture stays clean.

Session Flow

1. Explain the aiming point (4 min). Point out on final how one spot stays still while others slide. Have the student call which way the numbers are moving.
2. Land-short demo (4 min). Set up a slightly low approach; show the numbers sliding down, then correct with reduced flap or a small pitch-up.
3. Land-long demo (4 min). Set up a slightly high approach; numbers slide up, correct with added flap or small pitch-down.
4. Student practice (6 min). Student flies finals holding 65 knots and keeps the aiming point on the numbers using flaps and small pitch changes.
5. Wrap (2 min). Recap the moving-numbers rule and preview "Smooth Touchdown."

Reinforce small, smooth corrections. Speed stays at 65 knots; flaps are the main tool, pitch is the fine-tune.

Debrief

• Identified the aiming point — the spot that stays still in the view
• Read the numbers sliding up (long) or down (short) correctly
• Corrected with flaps and small pitch changes, not big yanks
• Held 65 knots throughout the approach

Next Lesson

Next up is "Smooth Touchdown" (K39): the flare — the last few seconds where you trade speed for a soft landing. If reading the aiming point was still fuzzy today, review it for the first two minutes of K39 before flaring.

Skills You'll Work On

These are the maneuvers and procedures covered in this lesson. Your instructor tracks each one as you progress.

• Approach Planning & Altimeter Setting
• Altitude Speed Config & Trim
• Normal/ Crosswind Landing

Grades reflect what was covered in this lesson, not a certification of pilot competency.

Lesson Plan

Where this fits: Second of three sessions drawn from PPL Lesson 13, "Glide Approach and Landing." This session covers judging and controlling the aiming point; it builds on the glide from K37 and sets up the flare in K39.

Prerequisite

K37 (No-Power Approach) — student can fly a power-off glide to final.

Materials

C172 G1000 simulator, student checklist card, headset.

Goal for this session

Student can identify the aiming point and adjust it onto the runway numbers using flaps and small pitch changes.

Looking Ahead

• K39 — Smooth Touchdown: the flare and a gentle power-off landing on the numbers.
• K40 — Short Runway: short-field takeoffs and landings using every inch of runway.