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Off Topics > Full size pilots; got a question.

crosby
Heliman
Location: Iowa City, Iowa

Why is the pilot on the right and the co-pilot on the left or vice versa?
Is there a good reason?

Remember; It always seems darkest before going totally black.

02-11-2004 Over year old.

Doug
Elite Veteran
Location: Naples Florida....

Tradition: fixed wing PIC in the "left seat" Helicopter (military) PIC in the RT seat Civilian Heli mostly left seat. But take your pick.

First member of Member of Bearings Anonymous

02-11-2004 Over year old.

fitenfyr
rrProfessor
Location: Port Orchard, Washington

Right handed...

In fixed wing if I recall it was because most people are right handed and this places all of the switches, and control levers on your right which is more natural for you to reach for.

In helicopters it is left over from the first "civilian ships" like the Bell 47. You could place 2 passengers in that heli if you removed the collective stick from the right seat pilots position and put a seat over it. The 300C and 269 series is the same way.
These days it doesn't matter unless you are flying one of those ships and want to carry 2 pax.
I flew all of my solo stuff from the right seat in the R22, but could have switched if I wanted according to my instructor.
I never did because I prefered to have my right hand on the cyclic at all times and I could easily use my left hand to make radio adjustments, mixture controls etc...as I could let go of the collective for an extended period of time without worry.
It also depends on the mission. Military pilots will trade off flying if they are doing hoist work off one side or the other, but they will place the Aircraft commander in the Left seat 99% of the time.

Jason Stiffey
Fly Fast....Live Slow...

02-11-2004 Over year old.

HOMEPAGE

3D-RC
Senior Heliman
Location: NY

The PIC (pilot in command) is usually seated on the left in fixed wing aircraft. There are exceptions. I thing the SAI Marchetti SF-260 is flown from the right.

As far as I have ever seen the PIC in rotory wing aircraft sits on the right because the avionics can be reached with the left (collective) hand and the right hand stays put on the cyclic. If the pilot sat in the left seat he would have to reach across his/her right hand to get to the radios. The instructor sits in the left because the student usually occupies the seat used by the PIC.

Rob

02-11-2004 Over year old.

Jagboy69
Key Veteran
Location: Lake Mary, Florida (20 mins East of Orlando)

Another point, On "most" heavy aircraft... large stuff here... are steered from the left seat while on the ground from either a steering wheel or a device called a tiller...

Jason /// Sceadu50/9chp WWW.Jagboy69.com

02-11-2004 Over year old.

HOMEPAGE

corey11
Elite Veteran
Location: Bay Area, California

i think probably the main reason you sit on the right side in a Schweizer(damn its hard to sound out

) is to counter act the fuel when your flying...yes the instructer is on the left side, but not for ever...

02-11-2004 Over year old.

HOMEPAGE

Hawk4flyer
Senior Heliman
Location: Deland,Florida

Several answers, but none of them actually answer the ? lol

If the Pilot sits on the left in order to use his right for instruments, then why is the throttle on the left in a single seat plane?

The real answer.......
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American's were used to driving from the left seat. So, to aid in teaching pilots they put the PIC in the left seat.

"Why don't planes in the UK fly from the right seat?????"

Many of the pilots from overseas were being taught here in the states. SOoooo, they learned from the left seat. In keeping with the norm, most planes fly from the left seat.

At least is sounds good in theory!!

02-11-2004 Over year old.

HOMEPAGE

dibbs
Heliman
Location: ohio u.s.a.

Why is the pilot on the right and the co-pilot on the left or vice versa?
Is there a good reason?

Beause they both can`t fit in the same seat at the same time . Jeeeze ! hee, hee !

02-16-2004 Over year old.

donlynn
Key Veteran
Location: New Zealand

Gidday

I was taught it was because most of windsocks are on the left side of the runway therefore the pilot is in the best position to see it.

Regards Don

02-16-2004 Over year old.

fitenfyr
rrProfessor
Location: Port Orchard, Washington

Lots of "reasons"

When it comes right down to it. Like I said a lot of it IMO is tradition.
Each aircraft from the dawn of aviation to current experimentals is different. Controls are in different locations. Pilots sit in different seats...etc....

Quote
If the Pilot sits on the left in order to use his right for instruments, then why is the throttle on the left in a single seat plane?

The single seat or Tandem aircraft have had throttles on both sides, but again. How many more people in this world are right handed over left?
If you are operating a precise control, like a control stick for your aircraft wouldn't you feel more confortable using your right hand over your left. Assuming you are right handed.
Alot of it is just pure ergonomics of the designers and test pilots I am sure.
If the Wrights started to fly from the right seat all the time then we probably would all be doing it.

Like I said I have flown from both seats. I am more comfortable on the left in fixed wing and on the right in helis.

Jason Stiffey
Fly Fast....Live Slow...

02-16-2004 Over year old.

HOMEPAGE

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Off Topics > Full size pilots; got a question.

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