I recently came cross this little gadget called an " Eye Aligner" and was wondering if anyone here has any experience with it. It basically serves to “standardize” a pilot's perspective, and to help when flying different aircraft. The emphasis is on landings, and embedded below are some videos explaining the device as well.

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The current June 2016 Aviation Consumer Magazine article by Larry Anglisano : Eye Aligner: A Sight For Flight had this to say:
A portable version of the seat height adjustment spheres found in jets helps you dial in the proper view over the glareshield. We think it’s worth a try.

I do not have any connection with this company, I was just curious whether this thing has been helpful to anyone. I guess, analogous to an AOA, it’s a gadget that you don’t have to have, but it does not hurt to have it available.

Anyone ever used this in their private personal plane or rental?

Website: http://www.sightforflight.com/why-purchase-an-eye-aligner.html

I should imagine it's a good tool. I can't think of any large aircraft that doesn't have one, the Pilatus PC-12 is the smallest I'm aware of that has one as standard equipment. Any size/shape pilot can position the seat correctly and consistently achieve the perspective the manufacturer intended. I haven't read the links you posted, but not sure how it would work transferring from various aircraft.. How do you determine the correct sight picture across a multitude of aircraft.. Maybe I should read it!

I think the device would pay for itself if it got pilots to move their seat up a bit and short guys like me to use cushions. I (5'6") have always used cushions both under my butt and behind my back. The only time I lower a seat a bit is if my helmet vibrates against the headliner. I like his touchdown sight picture out the left or right front 20 degree. Older airplane round instrument panels sure helped with that.

In both NOE and low level work, we need to see as much as possible outside the aircraft. Most loach pilots, except really tall ones, worked NOE with the seat full up. Most gunship and lift pilots did as well. There was the theory of getting the seat full down so to have more armored seat between us and Charlie, but we needed to be able to see to do a good job.

The Cobra had sight reticle optics so that the cross hairs did not appear until your head was straight behind the sight. This helped with longitudinal alignment of ordinance. I'm not as sure about vertical angle for directed course to the numbers, but getting up where you can see is very important. Modern aircraft seem to place a lot more emphasis on room for instruments on the panel than on visual reconnaissance. I don't think they think the see and avoid rule is important or that their aircraft will ever be used NOE or low level.

Oregon Aero makes a very good seat and back cushion for both comfort and visibility outside the aircraft. I hope the plug doesn't violate the forum rules.

I could have used something like that years ago when I was partnered in the 182, then the TR182, then the T210, as well as in the charter aircraft I flew. It always seemed as if whoever flew before me was shorter, and it would take the first landing for me to realize that the seat height adjustment wasn't correct. My pard really was shorter, about 5'6", but even taller pilots had the seat cranked too high for me. Not that I'm all that tall, but I have a long torso, so from butt to eye level is more than many who are actually taller than me.

Now the only time my seat height has been varied is when my mechanic has had to remove the seat, because he always seems to change the adjustment.

Cary