How the pilot of a flight manages to land in a specific runway though an airport have more than a runway?

Question

How the pilot of a flight manages to land in a specific runway though an airport have more than a runway?

Answer 1

The runways are numbered by their approximate magnetic heading (rounded to the nearest 10 with the 0 dropped - I'll explain).  So, for example, if the runways magnetic heading is 243 degrees, they would round it to 240 degrees and call it Runway 24.  So, by knowing the runway number, you know what direction you should be pointing to land on that runway.  That helps you pick out which is correct.  If that fails, look down and find the one with the number you are trying to land on. ;)

In some cases, especially at your larger airports, you will have enough traffic such that they need more runways going the same direction.  [It should be noted that pilots attempt to take off and land into the wind as much as possible, which determines what runway they will probably use.]  So, to accommodate that, they will have left and right runways as well as possibly a center runway.  These will be labeled with a large L, R, or C as well as the number.

Answer 2

First response is correct.  Air traffic control will specify which runway is to be used.

Answer 3

Newfaldon's answer is 100% correct. How anyone could give a thumbs down for that answer is beyond me.

Answer 4

This is a somewhat intricate matter that is part of a pilot's training.  In visual conditions, an approaching pilot can see the runway or runways from a considerable distance, and can plan an approach to the correct runway.  You know which runway is which because you have an aerial view of the airport and the runways are numbered by compass heading.

You know from what direction you are approaching, and so you know what maneuvers to make and what headings to fly to approach the correct runway.

If it is a tower-controlled airport (and most airports are not) then the control tower is responsible for getting you into the traffic pattern and clearing you to land on the correct runway.

In instrument conditions (that is, conditions in which flight by visual reference to the ground is not possible), pilots use radio navigation aids to make the correct maneuvers for an approach to the appropriate runway.

Answer 5

To the respondents who suggest that intersecting sets of parallels are not used concurrently:

Have fun next time you fly into Vegas----the two fives and the one niners are at sixty degree angles to each other and are used concurrently, as are the ones and the sevens.

Answer 6

Well the world outside of aviation may not know how is it pilots cant see the runway for more than 10 miles away and still land on the correct one even under terrible weather.

Well if its a visual approach they will follow the runway heading coupled with a VOR (guidance to its station) or ILS. The pilots will also put in the ILS frequencies for the runway so as to get vertical and lateral guidance from as far as 10 miles away. and without any major turn to find the runway they make it safely down.