How do pilots align the aircraft along the runway while landing?
When flying we have what is called a instrument approach. Major airports and some small airports have what is called an ILS or Instrument Landing System. It is a radio beam that is sent up to around 2000 to 3000ft or depending on the airports altitude. The pilot gets indication of where to fly and can follow the signal into the airport. In full clouded conditions or IMC instrument meteorological conditions the ILS can glide the plane down to the runway by controlling vertical and lateral axes. Other times pilots will make what is called a visual approach which the name explains itself. They fly by what they see ahead of them. The runway has lights next to it, either called VASI or PAPI, PAPI is precision approach path indicator. The lights indicate whether you are too high or too low to land. they adjust speed to maintain altitude and then slow down again to loose altitude. Flaps also help at slower speeds by changing the profile of the wing to give lift at slower speeds. I could keep
