Identifying Runways With Your DG

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At one time or another you've probably approached an airport with instructions to land on a specific runway. If you're like me (and I know I am) I sometimes find it difficult to identify that runway. This is especially true if there are several runways at the airport. Here's a good example of the problem.

Suppose you're approaching the airport shown in Figure 1. ATC has asked you to make left traffic for Runway 27. Can you identify Runway 27 without having to see the runway numbers painted on the asphalt? After all, it's nearly impossible to see runway numbers at a horizontal distance of a mile or more. There is a way to tell.

As you examine the runways in the distance over the cowling, lay your index finger over the center of the heading indicator and point it to the runway number on which you're instructed to land. For instance, you're instructed to land on Runway 27. Point your finger to 270 degrees as shown in Figure 2. Look over the panel at the distant runways and find the strip of asphalt that's most nearly aligned (parallel) with your finger. Since a runway has two directions (180 degrees opposed), the runway you want lies in the direction your finger points. That's Runway 27. Now all you have to do is decide how to make right or left traffic. But that's easy. Identifying the runway is the tough part.

When using this technique, it's best not to mumble to yourself either. When passengers see you making little "hand puppets" on the instrument panel, they'll get nervous if you're mumbling. Keep saying, "Ah huh, ah huh, yes, OK, good." Just don't mumble!

Suppose you've been cleared to land on Runway 14. Figure 3 shows how to differentiate this runway from the others. Runway 14 is the strip of asphalt that's most nearly aligned with your finger.

Runway 9 is easily identified from the other runways as shown in Figure 4. Of course, if there is just one strip of asphalt at the airport (one runway) you've got a 50-50 chance of finding the proper runway without using this technique. Nevertheless, the technique is still useful if you find yourself directionally challenged or even a wee bit confused.

Additionally, if you're headed directly toward an airport and ATC asks you to report your direction from the field, just look at the bottom of the heading indicator. The number at the bottom of the DG is your relative position from the airport. In Figure 5, I'd report that I'm approximately southwest of the airport. Remember, this last technique only works if you're headed directly towards the airport.

Excerpted from Rod Machado's Private Pilot (and BFR) Handbook

For more information on this subject, see "Heading Out: Staying The Course With A Directional Gyro."