Submitted by roscian1 t3_yexfqd in askscience
Watching many landing videos on Boeing planes (737MAX, etc.) it looks like the pilots are moving the flight yoke as if they are playing an arcade racing game (in and out, left to right); yet the planes themselves are flying straight. What’s with all the yolk movement?
ryjohn429 t1_iu1ziu2 wrote
At low airspeeds, larger control inputs are required to affect a change in direction. As such, the pilot's actions seem much more exaggerated.
Additionally, in slow flight the aircraft's speed is controlled by attitude (pitching up or down). Altitude is controlled with the throttle. When landing, precise control over the airspeed is required, resulting in very frequent changes in pitch.
Lastly, the plane is affected more by wind gusts while landing, so constant corrections must be made by rolling to the left and right.