PILOT SPIN

Pilot Zone => Pilot Zone => Topic started by: PeterNSteinmetz on October 09, 2021, 05:28:59 PM

Title: Why helis are flown from the right seat?
Post by: PeterNSteinmetz on October 09, 2021, 05:28:59 PM

I had wondered why helicopter pilots sit in the right seat. Turns out it was because early helis required the strength of the dominant hand to control the cyclic.

“Paul Hoversten, “Why do helicopter pilots sit in the right seat?”, Smithsonian Air & Space Magazine, https:// www.airspacemag.com/need-to-know/why-do-helicopter-pilots-sit-in-the-right-seat-243212/”

Title: Re: Why helis are flown from the right seat?
Post by: Lucifer on October 09, 2021, 06:42:51 PM

Actually had more to do with flight control and rigging placement.

By having the PIC sit right, the collective and it’s associated pitch rods are directed up a “broom closet” behind and between the seats.  The cyclic also routed up through the broom closet.   

Later on dual controls were introduced, and tied into the same controls.

Today PIC can be left or right depending on manufacturer. 

Title: Re: Why helis are flown from the right seat?
Post by: Rush on October 10, 2021, 02:27:31 AM

So it’s not because heli’s were inverted in the UK?   ;D