Are You Struggling to Find the Right Seat Position in the Cockpit?

Here’s some advice for new pilots on achieving the perfect sight picture setup.

Meg Godlewski

Wednesday, April 22, 2026 at 11:00 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

A student pilot is having trouble seeing over the nose of the aircraft, so an aviation seat cushion like this one might help the situation. [Credit: FLYING Archive]

Key Takeaways:

Achieving a proper "sight picture" primarily involves trial and error with seat adjustment and investing in aviation-specific cushions for optimal support and visibility over the aircraft's nose.
Experiment with seat and cushion configurations in different aircraft (if available) while on the ground to find and note your ideal setup for consistent results.
To develop the correct "sight picture" for maneuvers and landings, observe your flight instructor performing them and note where the horizon appears relative to the aircraft's nose when executed properly.

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Question: How do you develop your “sight picture” in the airplane? I just started flight training. I am on the short side, and I have to crank the adjustable seat all the way up and move it forward, and use all sorts of cushions to see over the nose of the Cessna 172. I swear I spend half the flight trying to get situated in the cockpit. Is there a better way to do this?

Answer: I relate to what you are describing. I am afraid it comes down to trial and error to find the right combination of cushions—not pillows—and seat placement that works for you. I suggest you invest in an aviation seat cushion rather than using pillows, as it provides more support and doesn’t compress as much as pillows do.

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If the school has more than one Cessna 172, when they are on the ground with the engines off, experiment with seat and cushion placement to see if that works for you. When you find it, make a note. You may do better when you fly in a particular aircraft.

As far as sight picture when you are doing a maneuver—such as a steep turn—ask your CFI to do one and note where the horizon slices across the nose of the aircraft when it is performed correctly. That’s the sight picture you are looking for.

Sight picture is particularly important on landing, so you may want to have your CFI do some touch-and-goes while you focus on looking out the windscreen. Again, you are getting familiar with the sight picture. Once you know what it is supposed to look like, it is a lot easier to duplicate.

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