Piper doors, why the passenger side?

[Nathan Young]

First off, this isn't a post to argue the merits of one-door vs.
two-doors, so if you want to do that, start your own thread... :)

Why does Piper put the door of the plane on the passenger side? I
cannot think of one good reason. Would like to hear the group's
opinions.

OTOH, I can think of several reasons it would be better to have the
single door on the pilots side:
1. Most flights are solo, so with the door on the pilots side, no
need to constantly climb across the passenger seat.
2. On that same point, I like to keep my charts and headsets on the
passenger seat. Again, I have to crawl over them each flight to get
to the pilots seat.
3. It would be nice to allow passengers to board before the pilot
enters.
4. Again most flights are solo, it seems that egress in the event of
an emergency would be easier with the door on the pilots side.

-Nathan

[David Megginson]

(Nathan Young) writes:

> Why does Piper put the door of the plane on the passenger side? I
> cannot think of one good reason. Would like to hear the group's
> opinions.

I find the passenger-side door convenient because my passengers can
leave the plane right after shutdown while I'm refolding my charts,
copying the Hobbs time, etc.

I'd guess that the original reason was so that passengers could get in
and out of the plane while the engine was still running, back when
people were less worried about that sort of thing.


All the best,


David

[[email protected]]

It's not just Piper. EVERY certified low wing, single door 4 place model
since WWII has the same configuration. Presumably, designers give at least
SOME thought to the ergonomics of door location, so the fact that Beech,
Piper, Mooney Bellanca, and Cessna (300-series twins) all came up with the
same conclusion suggests that there is some rational basis, even if it's
only "tradition".

--
-Elliott Drucker

[Dicky]

So the CFI can hold the door open while taxiing in the summertime.

"Nathan Young" > wrote in message
om...
> First off, this isn't a post to argue the merits of one-door vs.
> two-doors, so if you want to do that, start your own thread... :)
>
> Why does Piper put the door of the plane on the passenger side? I
> cannot think of one good reason. Would like to hear the group's
> opinions.
>
> OTOH, I can think of several reasons it would be better to have the
> single door on the pilots side:
> 1. Most flights are solo, so with the door on the pilots side, no
> need to constantly climb across the passenger seat.
> 2. On that same point, I like to keep my charts and headsets on the
> passenger seat. Again, I have to crawl over them each flight to get
> to the pilots seat.
> 3. It would be nice to allow passengers to board before the pilot
> enters.
> 4. Again most flights are solo, it seems that egress in the event of
> an emergency would be easier with the door on the pilots side.
>
> -Nathan

[markjen]

I think it harks back to the idea that the pilot should be the first to
enter and the last to leave.

- Mark

[dennis brown]

Another reason is that it is easier to reach the prop and pull it down
to start. Have you seen the old picture of the pilot doing this?
Solo. In flight. Prop is stopped. Pilot standing on right gear, left hand
holding onto plane.


In article >,
(Nathan Young) wrote:
>First off, this isn't a post to argue the merits of one-door vs.
>two-doors, so if you want to do that, start your own thread... :)
>
>Why does Piper put the door of the plane on the passenger side? I
>cannot think of one good reason. Would like to hear the group's
>opinions.
>
>OTOH, I can think of several reasons it would be better to have the
>single door on the pilots side:
>1. Most flights are solo, so with the door on the pilots side, no
>need to constantly climb across the passenger seat.
>2. On that same point, I like to keep my charts and headsets on the
>passenger seat. Again, I have to crawl over them each flight to get
>to the pilots seat.
>3. It would be nice to allow passengers to board before the pilot
>enters.
>4. Again most flights are solo, it seems that egress in the event of
>an emergency would be easier with the door on the pilots side.
>
>-Nathan

[Steven P. McNicoll]

"Nathan Young" > wrote in message
om...
>
> Why does Piper put the door of the plane on the passenger side? I
> cannot think of one good reason. Would like to hear the group's
> opinions.
>

Back when Piper was building only aircraft that didn't have a "passenger
side", aircraft with tandem seating, the door was on the right side because
there was throttle linkage on the left. Perhaps the door remained on the
right when side-by-side seating became the norm and the throttle was moved
to the panel simply because they had always made them that way.

Of course, that doesn't explain why the sole door is on the right side of
aircraft that didn't have that company tradition, such as the Beech Bonanza.

[Steven P. McNicoll]

"dennis brown" > wrote in message
nk.net...
>
> Another reason is that it is easier to reach the prop and pull it down
> to start. Have you seen the old picture of the pilot doing this?
> Solo. In flight. Prop is stopped. Pilot standing on right gear, left hand
> holding onto plane.
>

So you think Piper put the door on the right side to make inflight hand
propping possible?

[dennis brown]

Actually, almost yes.

It was fairly common to start planes from behind the prop. Some had no brakes
so it was safer than trying to start from the front. If they had chocks,
connected by a rope, that would work. But it had the possibility of getting
rope and chocks into the prop.

I have started a plane by standing across the right gear and bringing the
blade down. It was quite comfortable. You're holding onto something
(the struts) and you know the prop is not going to run over you. In my old
age, I don't prop planes.


In article et>, "Steven P.
McNicoll" > wrote:
>
>"dennis brown" > wrote in message
nk.net...
>>
>> Another reason is that it is easier to reach the prop and pull it down
>> to start. Have you seen the old picture of the pilot doing this?
>> Solo. In flight. Prop is stopped. Pilot standing on right gear, left hand
>> holding onto plane.
>>
>
>So you think Piper put the door on the right side to make inflight hand
>propping possible?
>
>

[David H]

Nathan Young wrote:

> First off, this isn't a post to argue the merits of one-door vs.
> two-doors, so if you want to do that, start your own thread... :)
>
> Why does Piper put the door of the plane on the passenger side? I
> cannot think of one good reason. Would like to hear the group's
> opinions.

So when the right-seat passenger gets airsick, they can crack the door
and puke out into the air, rather than all over the pilot.

David H
Boeing Field (BFI), Seattle, WA
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Visit the Pacific Northwest Flying forum:
http://www.smartgroups.com/groups/pnwflying

[Steven P. McNicoll]

"dennis brown" > wrote in message
nk.net...
>
> Actually, almost yes.
>
> It was fairly common to start planes from behind the prop. Some had no
brakes
> so it was safer than trying to start from the front. If they had chocks,
> connected by a rope, that would work. But it had the possibility of
getting
> rope and chocks into the prop.
>
> I have started a plane by standing across the right gear and bringing the
> blade down. It was quite comfortable. You're holding onto something
> (the struts) and you know the prop is not going to run over you. In my old
> age, I don't prop planes.
>

I do prop planes, I own an Aeronca 7AC, and I do prop it from behind. But
I'm fairly confident Aeronca put the sole door on the right side because the
left side was occupied by throttle linkage, not to make inflight restarts
possible.

[Bill Higdon]

Dennis,
This is normal for starting a non-starter equip plane on floats.
Bill Higdon

dennis brown wrote:
> Actually, almost yes.
>
> It was fairly common to start planes from behind the prop. Some had no brakes
> so it was safer than trying to start from the front. If they had chocks,
> connected by a rope, that would work. But it had the possibility of getting
> rope and chocks into the prop.
>
> I have started a plane by standing across the right gear and bringing the
> blade down. It was quite comfortable. You're holding onto something
> (the struts) and you know the prop is not going to run over you. In my old
> age, I don't prop planes.
>
>
> In article et>, "Steven P.
> McNicoll" > wrote:
>
>>"dennis brown" > wrote in message
nk.net...
>>
>>>Another reason is that it is easier to reach the prop and pull it down
>>>to start. Have you seen the old picture of the pilot doing this?
>>>Solo. In flight. Prop is stopped. Pilot standing on right gear, left hand
>>>holding onto plane.
>>>
>>
>>So you think Piper put the door on the right side to make inflight hand
>>propping possible?
>>
>>
>

[David Megginson]

"Steven P. McNicoll" > writes:

> I do prop planes, I own an Aeronca 7AC, and I do prop it from
> behind. But I'm fairly confident Aeronca put the sole door on the
> right side because the left side was occupied by throttle linkage,
> not to make inflight restarts possible.

As I mentioned before, passenger entry and exit would also be a
consideration. If you want people to be able to get in or out of the
plane with the engine still running, the door cannot be on the
pilot's side.


All the best,


David

[Ron Natalie]

> wrote in message ...
> It's not just Piper. EVERY certified low wing, single door 4 place model
> since WWII has the same configuration.

Navion Rangemasters have the door on the left side. I suspect this is
because the canopy model originally had the step/wing walk on the left wing, so it made
sense to just keep the boarding on that side. Oops, I guess you're still right, the
Rangemaster is technically a 5 place.

[Steven P. McNicoll]

"David Megginson" > wrote in message
...
>
> As I mentioned before, passenger entry and exit would also be a
> consideration. If you want people to be able to get in or out of the
> plane with the engine still running, the door cannot be on the
> pilot's side.
>

With tandem seating, there is no pilot's side or passenger's side.

[James Blakely]

It is set up that way so that the pilot can't sneak out of the airplane
without his passenger knowing it.

No, just kidding.

Actually, I asked the Piper representative this very question the last time
I attended their factory open house. The reason is that during emergency
egress, the pilot should be the last one out. (Captain of the ship.)


"Nathan Young" > wrote in message
om...
> First off, this isn't a post to argue the merits of one-door vs.
> two-doors, so if you want to do that, start your own thread... :)
>
> Why does Piper put the door of the plane on the passenger side? I
> cannot think of one good reason. Would like to hear the group's
> opinions.
>
> OTOH, I can think of several reasons it would be better to have the
> single door on the pilots side:
> 1. Most flights are solo, so with the door on the pilots side, no
> need to constantly climb across the passenger seat.
> 2. On that same point, I like to keep my charts and headsets on the
> passenger seat. Again, I have to crawl over them each flight to get
> to the pilots seat.
> 3. It would be nice to allow passengers to board before the pilot
> enters.
> 4. Again most flights are solo, it seems that egress in the event of
> an emergency would be easier with the door on the pilots side.
>
> -Nathan

[Tony Cox]

"markjen" > wrote in message
news:eNncb.569893$o%2.254121@sccrnsc02...
>
> I think it harks back to the idea that the pilot should be the first to
> enter and the last to leave.
>

Ah, but in that case, wouldn't it have been best to have put the door at
the *back* to give the rear-seaters a chance to get out?


--
Dr. Tony Cox
Citrus Controls Inc.
e-mail:
http://CitrusControls.com/

[David Megginson]

"Steven P. McNicoll" > writes:

> "David Megginson" > wrote in message
> ...
>> As I mentioned before, passenger entry and exit would also be a
>> consideration. If you want people to be able to get in or out of the
>> plane with the engine still running, the door cannot be on the
>> pilot's side.
>>
>
> With tandem seating, there is no pilot's side or passenger's side.

I was talking about the PA-28. I'm sure that they considered the
issue when they moved from tandem to side-by-side, and then from
high-wing to low-wing, and made a deliberate choice in each case to
keep the door on the right side.


All the best,


David

[David Megginson]

"Tony Cox" > writes:

> Ah, but in that case, wouldn't it have been best to have put the door at
> the *back* to give the rear-seaters a chance to get out?

That's why there's a baggage door.


All the best,


David

[Roy Smith]

"Steven P. McNicoll" > wrote:
> Back when Piper was building only aircraft that didn't have a "passenger
> side", aircraft with tandem seating, the door was on the right side because
> there was throttle linkage on the left.

Which of course raises the question, "Why is the throttle linkage on the
left"?

[Newps]

dennis brown wrote:

> Another reason is that it is easier to reach the prop and pull it down
> to start. Have you seen the old picture of the pilot doing this?
> Solo. In flight. Prop is stopped. Pilot standing on right gear, left hand
> holding onto plane.


I will pay good money to see a cherokee pilot do this. Just tell me
when and where.

[Ron Natalie]

"Roy Smith" > wrote in message ...
> "Steven P. McNicoll" > wrote:
> > Back when Piper was building only aircraft that didn't have a "passenger
> > side", aircraft with tandem seating, the door was on the right side because
> > there was throttle linkage on the left.
>
> Which of course raises the question, "Why is the throttle linkage on the
> left"?

Because you hold the stick with your right hand.

[Steven P. McNicoll]

"Roy Smith" > wrote in message
...
>
> Which of course raises the question, "Why is the throttle linkage on the
> left"?
>

Because it's easier to manipulate with the free hand.

[Steven P. McNicoll]

"James Blakely" > wrote in
message ...
>
> Actually, I asked the Piper representative this very question the last
> time I attended their factory open house. The reason is that during
emergency
> egress, the pilot should be the last one out. (Captain of the ship.)
>

Then why did they put a rear door on the PA-32?

[Steven P. McNicoll]

"Tony Cox" > wrote in message
nk.net...
>
> Ah, but in that case, wouldn't it have been best to have put the door at
> the *back* to give the rear-seaters a chance to get out?
>

Some Piper light aircraft did have a door at the back. The four-place
PA-16, PA-20, and PA-22 had doors on the right for the front seats and on
the left for the rear seats.

[Steven P. McNicoll]

"David Megginson" > wrote in message
...
>
> I was talking about the PA-28. I'm sure that they considered the
> issue when they moved from tandem to side-by-side, and then from
> high-wing to low-wing, and made a deliberate choice in each case to
> keep the door on the right side.
>

Piper's first side-by-side was the J-4 Cub Coupe of 1939. It had a door on
each side.

[Don Tuite]

Why do all you hidebound traditionalists insist on flying the plane
from the left seat? Is there an operating limitation on your licence?

Don

[Wayne]

Seems like door openings are a weak spot for the airframe. One on each side
would help balance that out.
Also, the doors would either swing into each other, or the rear door would
block the people from exiting or entering through the front door while the
rear door is open.
Wayne


"Steven P. McNicoll" > wrote in message
k.net...
>
> "James Blakely" > wrote in
> message
...
> >
> > Actually, I asked the Piper representative this very question the last
> > time I attended their factory open house. The reason is that during
> emergency
> > egress, the pilot should be the last one out. (Captain of the ship.)
> >
>
> Then why did they put a rear door on the PA-32?
>
>

[G.R. Patterson III]

Roy Smith wrote:
>
> Which of course raises the question, "Why is the throttle linkage on the
> left"?

That's simple enough. The French put it there.

George Patterson
A man who carries a cat by the tail learns something that cannot
be learned any other way. Samuel Clemens

[Newps]

G.R. Patterson III wrote:

>
> Roy Smith wrote:
>
>>Which of course raises the question, "Why is the throttle linkage on the
>>left"?
>
>
> That's simple enough. The French put it there.

And they've been wrong with every decision they have ever made.

[Sven]

"Nathan Young" > wrote in message
om...
> Why does Piper put the door of the plane on the passenger side? I
> cannot think of one good reason. Would like to hear the group's
> opinions.

My opinion: It may go back to the nautical roots of aviation with the
Starboard and Port sides.

Oops, so much for that idea...

[JP Krievins]

> Why does Piper put the door of the plane on the passenger side? I
> cannot think of one good reason. Would like to hear the group's
> opinions.

Okay, here's one good reason. Have you tried to get out of the
passenger side of a cherokee? It is much easier to climb up and out
onto the wing by twisting and putting a knee on the passenger seat
than to levitate yourself straight up and out. I wondered why my
passengers where all so spastic about getting out of the airplane
until I flew with another pilot!

JP Krievins

[Kyler Laird]

David Megginson > writes:

>As I mentioned before, passenger entry and exit would also be a
>consideration. If you want people to be able to get in or out of the
>plane with the engine still running, the door cannot be on the
>pilot's side.

I often get in Warriors and my Aztec after my wife has already gotten
settled in to the right side seat. (I usually sit in the right seat
when flying singles though.)

--kyler

[Kyler Laird]

Don Tuite > writes:

>Why do all you hidebound traditionalists insist on flying the plane
>from the left seat?

I don't. I prefer the right seat in singles.

>Is there an operating limitation on your licence?

Yeah, it says I need to be able to reach the brakes and look out the
window at the same time.

--kyler

[Paul Tomblin]

In a previous article, said:
>Why do all you hidebound traditionalists insist on flying the plane
>from the left seat?

Because I like to see the instruments when I'm in IMC.


--
Paul Tomblin >, not speaking for anybody
"I love the smell of burning components in the morning.
Smells like victory." (The ******* Operator From Hell)

[Kevin McCue]

How about this. The door is on the right from convention. One door for
structurally stronger fuselage. The door on the right so the passenger can
get in after starting the plane. Pilot would already be seated and what else
are passengers for besides auto-pilot?

--
Kevin McCue
KRYN
'47 Luscombe 8E
Rans S-17 (for sale)




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[Steven P. McNicoll]

"Kevin McCue" > wrote in message
...
>
> How about this. The door is on the right from convention. One door for
> structurally stronger fuselage. The door on the right so the passenger can
> get in after starting the plane. Pilot would already be seated and what
else
> are passengers for besides auto-pilot?
>

Why start the plane before boarding the passengers?

[Roger Tracy]

Because the captain should go down with the ship. So... gotta
get the passengers off first.


"Nathan Young" > wrote in message
om...
> First off, this isn't a post to argue the merits of one-door vs.
> two-doors, so if you want to do that, start your own thread... :)
>
> Why does Piper put the door of the plane on the passenger side? I
> cannot think of one good reason. Would like to hear the group's
> opinions.
>
> OTOH, I can think of several reasons it would be better to have the
> single door on the pilots side:
> 1. Most flights are solo, so with the door on the pilots side, no
> need to constantly climb across the passenger seat.
> 2. On that same point, I like to keep my charts and headsets on the
> passenger seat. Again, I have to crawl over them each flight to get
> to the pilots seat.
> 3. It would be nice to allow passengers to board before the pilot
> enters.
> 4. Again most flights are solo, it seems that egress in the event of
> an emergency would be easier with the door on the pilots side.
>
> -Nathan

[Kevin McCue]

The convention predates electric start?

--
Kevin McCue
KRYN
'47 Luscombe 8E
Rans S-17 (for sale)




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[Steven P. McNicoll]

"Kevin McCue" > wrote in message
...
>
> The convention predates electric start?
>

Yes, but electric start or not, where's the advantage in the pilot boarding
before the passenger?

[David Megginson]

"Steven P. McNicoll" > writes:

>> The convention predates electric start?
>
> Yes, but electric start or not, where's the advantage in the pilot boarding
> before the passenger?

I don't know if people were always so concerned about having the
propeller stopped before passengers got in or out.


All the best,


David

[MC]

"Steven P. McNicoll" wrote:
>
> "Kevin McCue" > wrote in message
> ...
> >
> > How about this. The door is on the right from convention. One door for
> > structurally stronger fuselage. The door on the right so the passenger can
> > get in after starting the plane. Pilot would already be seated and what
> > else are passengers for besides auto-pilot?

Perhaps the pax want to do some sky-diving.

[Steven P. McNicoll]

"Don Tuite" > wrote in message
...
>
> Why do all you hidebound traditionalists insist on flying the plane
> from the left seat? Is there an operating limitation on your licence?
>

I never fly my airplane from the left seat.

[Steven P. McNicoll]

"MC" > wrote in message
...
> "Steven P. McNicoll" wrote:
> >
> > "Kevin McCue" > wrote in message
> > ...
> > >
> > > How about this. The door is on the right from convention. One door for
> > > structurally stronger fuselage. The door on the right so the passenger
can
> > > get in after starting the plane. Pilot would already be seated and
what
> > > else are passengers for besides auto-pilot?
>
> Perhaps the pax want to do some sky-diving.
>

Steven P. McNicoll wrote none of what appears above.

[Javier Henderson]

"Steven P. McNicoll" > writes:

> "Don Tuite" > wrote in message
> ...
> >
> > Why do all you hidebound traditionalists insist on flying the plane
> > from the left seat? Is there an operating limitation on your licence?
> >
>
> I never fly my airplane from the left seat.

Does your plane have a left seat?

-jav

[EDR]

In article >,
> wrote:

> It's not just Piper. EVERY certified low wing, single door 4 place model
> since WWII has the same configuration.

Not true!
North American put a door on each side of the Commander 112/114.

[Ray Andraka]

Beech Musketeer also has doors both sides.

EDR wrote:

> In article >,
> > wrote:
>
> > It's not just Piper. EVERY certified low wing, single door 4 place model
> > since WWII has the same configuration.
>
> Not true!
> North American put a door on each side of the Commander 112/114.

--
--Ray Andraka, P.E.
President, the Andraka Consulting Group, Inc.
401/884-7930 Fax 401/884-7950
email
http://www.andraka.com

"They that give up essential liberty to obtain a little
temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety."
-Benjamin Franklin, 1759

[Newps]

EDR wrote:
> In article >,
> > wrote:
>
>
>>It's not just Piper. EVERY certified low wing, single door 4 place model
>>since WWII has the same configuration.
>
>
> Not true!
> North American put a door on each side of the Commander 112/114.

Reading comprehension.

[Newps]

Ray Andraka wrote:

> Beech Musketeer also has doors both sides.

Oy.



>
> EDR wrote:
>
>
>>In article >,
> wrote:
>>
>>
>>>It's not just Piper. EVERY certified low wing, single door 4 place model
>>>since WWII has the same configuration.
>>
>>Not true!
>>North American put a door on each side of the Commander 112/114.
>
>
> --
> --Ray Andraka, P.E.
> President, the Andraka Consulting Group, Inc.
> 401/884-7930 Fax 401/884-7950
> email
> http://www.andraka.com
>
> "They that give up essential liberty to obtain a little
> temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety."
> -Benjamin Franklin, 1759
>
>

[James Blakely]

I didn't think to ask then that but I would guess because it gives the rear
passengers even more chances to escape.


"Steven P. McNicoll" > wrote in message
k.net...
>
> "James Blakely" > wrote in
> message
...
> >
> > Actually, I asked the Piper representative this very question the last
> > time I attended their factory open house. The reason is that during
> emergency
> > egress, the pilot should be the last one out. (Captain of the ship.)
> >
>
> Then why did they put a rear door on the PA-32?
>
>

[Steven P. McNicoll]

"Javier Henderson" > wrote in message
...
>
> Does your plane have a left seat?
>

No.

[Steven P. McNicoll]

"EDR" > wrote in message
...
>
> Not true!
> North American put a door on each side of the Commander 112/114.
>

Well, then they aren't single-door, four-place aircraft.

[Steven P. McNicoll]

"Ray Andraka" > wrote in message
...
>
> Beech Musketeer also has doors both sides.
>

Which means it's not a low-wing, single-door, four-place model.

[Steven P. McNicoll]

"James Blakely" > wrote in
message ...
>
> I didn't think to ask then that but I would guess because it gives the
rear
> passengers even more chances to escape.
>

But then the pilot may not be the last one out.

[Dave]

Don't really care. I prefer to have the door on the right side. Flying
Cessna give me a touch of vertigo. Maybe its psychological. I do not like
having a door on my side and I feel a whole lot more comfortable with the
door so far away.

I thought it might be something to do with high wing vs. low wing and the
relative perspective of the ground from the pilots seat looking down. Since
I began flying a PA22 I know its is not that. Its down to the door and the
security of a "solid" surface on my left.

To me its the same feeling as when I went to the CAN Tower in Toronto.
Outside in the fresh air was not easy, but stepping on the glass floor was
no problem.

Dave
"Roger Tracy" > wrote in message
...
> Because the captain should go down with the ship. So... gotta
> get the passengers off first.
>
>
> "Nathan Young" > wrote in message
> om...
> > First off, this isn't a post to argue the merits of one-door vs.
> > two-doors, so if you want to do that, start your own thread... :)
> >
> > Why does Piper put the door of the plane on the passenger side? I
> > cannot think of one good reason. Would like to hear the group's
> > opinions.
> >
> > OTOH, I can think of several reasons it would be better to have the
> > single door on the pilots side:
> > 1. Most flights are solo, so with the door on the pilots side, no
> > need to constantly climb across the passenger seat.
> > 2. On that same point, I like to keep my charts and headsets on the
> > passenger seat. Again, I have to crawl over them each flight to get
> > to the pilots seat.
> > 3. It would be nice to allow passengers to board before the pilot
> > enters.
> > 4. Again most flights are solo, it seems that egress in the event of
> > an emergency would be easier with the door on the pilots side.
> >
> > -Nathan
>
>

[EDR]

In article >, Dave
> wrote:
> I thought it might be something to do with high wing vs. low wing and the
> relative perspective of the ground from the pilots seat looking down. Since
> I began flying a PA22 I know its is not that. Its down to the door and the
> security of a "solid" surface on my left.

You need to get some Cub/Husky time.
Better yet, take the door off your Piper and fly from the right seat.
You do wear your seat belt, don't you?

[Kyler Laird]

EDR > writes:

>Better yet, take the door off your Piper and fly from the right seat.

I flew my Piper today (from the left seat - never know when I might need
to use the brakes)...up to Lansing where I flew without doors, floor,
windshield, or roof! Wow! *That* was a new feeling! It was good to get
back in the safe confines of the Aztec.

>You do wear your seat belt, don't you?

I had mine on *tight* today. It's amazing how high 100' feels when
there's nothing around.

--kyler

[James Blakely]

<sigh>

The pilot shouldn't leave until he knows all his passengers are out. With a
single door, that makes it difficult if it is on the pilot's side.

It would be okay on the 6 seat models if the pilot vacated the airplane if
it was to help the rear passengers out.


"Steven P. McNicoll" > wrote in message
nk.net...
>
> "James Blakely" > wrote in
> message
...
> >
> > I didn't think to ask then that but I would guess because it gives the
> rear
> > passengers even more chances to escape.
> >
>
> But then the pilot may not be the last one out.
>
>

[Steven P. McNicoll]

"James Blakely" > wrote in
message ...
>
> <sigh>
>
> The pilot shouldn't leave until he knows all his passengers are out. With
a
> single door, that makes it difficult if it is on the pilot's side.
>

Sigh? Follow the thread.