On Tuesday, March 4, 2014 8:09:16 AM UTC-5, wrote:
On Tuesday, March 4, 2014 4:54:30 AM UTC-8, John Godfrey (QT) wrote: On Tuesday, March 4, 2014 7:18:47 AM UTC-5, John Carlyle wrote: The insidious part is what you perceive in your peripheral vision unconsciously. True. Peripheral vision is terrible at detail but very good at picking up angular motion. Plus, last time I checked I was looking pretty close to down the wing as I initiated the turn from base to final. Aren't you supposed to look at the runway, not straight ahead into the countryside, on base leg? Once you're established on final there's not much turning anyway. 9B

If you wait till you are wing is almost aligned with the runway, it is likely to be a bit late, commonly leading to a rushed, and possibly skidded turn.
I teach my pilots to check their position on base,clear opposite side for missed traffic on final, decide when they will turn- early is almost always better than late, then watch the nose during the turn so as to keep the pitch attitude correct and avoid skidding the turn. A glance toward the runway will be enough to determine when to start rolling out.
Plenty of folks have spun in looking at the runway or wing tip. few have done so looking over the nose.
Bill's point about making pilots aware of the changing view is a good one and one I think I will add to my lesson points.
FWIW
UH