I want to make a mission to practice landings...

[gnomechompsky]

But when I start the mission, I am just in spectator view.

 

I have put in a plane (at 500m because I want to airstart) and changed the AI to "player".  What else do I need to do?

[JimTM]

Check "The Player Cannot Enter a Plane in a Singleplayer Mission" on pg. 185 of the IL-2 Sturmovik Mission Editor and Multiplayer Server Manual.

Edited January 22, 2017 by JimTM