Re: Helicopters flown from right seat?

[Jeroen Wenting]

>
> Is my recollection correct? If so, is it true of all helicopters or just
> some?
>
>
yes. no.

[OtisWinslow]

You need to be able to work the radios and stuff. This is easier
done with the left hand. You can't let go of the cyclic .. you can
let go of the collective briefly. It's easier from the right seat. Some
are flown from the left though.



"Andrew Koenig" > wrote in message
...
>I seem to remember that the pilot of a helicopter usually sits in the right
>seat, as opposed to the left seat for an airplane.
>
> Is my recollection correct? If so, is it true of all helicopters or just
> some?
>
>

[William W. Plummer]

OtisWinslow wrote:
> You need to be able to work the radios and stuff. This is easier
> done with the left hand. You can't let go of the cyclic .. you can
> let go of the collective briefly. It's easier from the right seat. Some
> are flown from the left though.

Why isn't the cyclic on the left in the standard design? That way the
pilot could sit in the left seat and work the radios with his right hand
as in an airplane. FWIW, I tried a helo lesson and decided I would
have to wait until I grew another arm.

[David Cartwright]

"Andrew Koenig" > wrote in message
...
>I seem to remember that the pilot of a helicopter usually sits in the right
>seat, as opposed to the left seat for an airplane.
> Is my recollection correct? If so, is it true of all helicopters or just
> some?

I seem to remember from reading Robert Mason's "Chickenhawk", he tended to
elect to fly from the right-hand side because the perspex windscreen
extended down further on that side, so you could get a better view of the
ground just in front of you than if you were sitting on the left.

D.

[OtisWinslow]

"William W. Plummer" > wrote in message
...
> FWIW, I tried a helo lesson and decided I would have to wait until I grew
> another arm.

Haha, it's not that bad. Just different. If they can teach me, they
can teach anyone. If you can pat your head, rub your stomach
and tap dance on top of a basketball all at the same time .. you're
home free.

OW

[Mike W.]

> Why isn't the cyclic on the left in the standard design? That way the
> pilot could sit in the left seat and work the radios with his right hand
> as in an airplane.

I think it may have to do with more people being right-handed. Right hand
controls the cyclic, which ( I imagine) would take more strength,
coordination etc to handle than the collective or turning radio knobs.