pilot's view

[lorinz]

I take a pride in my flying and especially the landings but . . . at the very last stage, just prior to touchdown, I am often frustrated by the instrument stack hiding my view of the runway - especially when flaring. I know that 'shift return' raises my seat to restore the forward view but is it not possible to change the default eye height?
Some aircraft - particularly tail-draggers - present the same problem at take off.
Or am I just flying badly?

[moth01]

Hi Lorinz,
Welcome!
I have the same problem too upon landing ans I just use the shift+enter to move the seat up.

But to permanently edit this setting try this:
Go to the aircraft folder in question.
BACKUP the panel.cfg file first
Open the original with Wordpad.
Search for the following:
[Views]
VIEW_FORWARD_DIR= 3.0, 0.0, 0.0

Change the 3.0 to 4.0
Experiment with other settings, such as 4.1, 4.5,
You should be able to see more downward this way. But you should not make it look downward too much, see next paragraph.
Using a taildragger even in real life can be tricky because of the attitude of the nose. If you edit the view too much, then in level flight you may be looking downward, while actually you are level.
Sometimes I can look out the side window after the main wheels touch down, and keep an eye out for a reference point like the runway edge to stay straight. In Taxiing the taildragger make the "S" turns and look out the left, then the right side of the aircraft to stay on the taxiway.
Hope this helps.
Take care! Gary Rabbitt :)

[airkevin]

I would suggest using spot view from behind until you're over the runway. Then (unless it's a really short runway) go back to cockpit view, look at your instruments, and land.

[moth01]

Hey Lorinz,
OMG looking in spot view to land? Not an arcade game here. He needs to be in the cockpit during the entire landing sequence, not hanging onto the tail view like Ace Combat. :)
Lorinz, I suggested changing the VIEWS line in the panel cfg file. here is a more detailed way in the "How To" section of Flightsim.com
In case I didnt get the settings right in the last message.
These are for FS2000 but will work in FS2002:
http://www.flightsim.com/cgi/kds?$=main/howto/pjviews.htm
Good luck and let us know how your landings are.
Take care, Gary Rabbitt

[lorinz]

Sorry for the slow response chaps - been away for the week end.

THANKS Gary, your fix works like a charm.
Also you are quite right - I want to fly planes and to do that I need instruments (though it is fun when they 'fail').

When I replay a landing to see where I could improve, then hanging on to the tail can be a useful view, otherwise you are absolutely right - it is not an arcade game.

Thanks again,
Lorinz

[chief95]

Hi Gary,
Its been along time since I last communicated with you. You have helped me several times. I guess it pays to read some of these posts. I have had similiar concerns about my landing views for some time, I am glad I read this post by lorinz. I took the advice you gave him on modifying the panel cfg file. As always your advice was right on target, I made the changes and now I am enjoying my landing even more.
Thanks to you and all those that give us novices good advice!

Regards,

Chief

[moth01]

Hey there Chief,
Good to see you again.
I do try to scan the posts as much as I can, and thankd for the kind words. I'm not an expert on this stuff and I am still lacking in other areas like scenery design and AI stuff. But its always a pleasure to try to help others with some of the basics if I can.
Lorinz: You are right, the replay is good to view from the tail and all other angles, to help improve your techniques. But Im with you an the realisn thing. all landings are best from the cockpit view. :)
Take care guys and see you later!
Gary Rabbitt :)