Optical Alignment System and Method

An optical system for aligning various avionics sensors and displays includes an aircraft having a nose section, a forward fuselage section, and an aft fuselage section, and at least one of a sensor, a display, a sensor substitute, and a display substitute. A laser is attached to a side of the aft section of the fuselage, and is directed toward a corresponding laser target on a laser target board. The laser target board is mounted on a frame and is positioned a distance away from the aircraft, and includes a plurality of laser targets. Between the laser target board and the laser is a reference plate which includes an aperture through which a beam from the laser passes. With the laser aligned with its respective laser target, the relative position of the sensor, display, sensor substitute, or display substitute is determined relative to known positions on the aircraft.