Tom22 Posted December 19, 2013 Report Share Posted December 19, 2013 Some helicopter trivia from the Air & Space Smithsonian that I thought I would share. http://www.airspacemag.com/need-to-know/Need-to-Know-Why-Do-Helicopter-Pilots-Sit-in-the-Right-Seat.html?story=fullstory Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flying Pig Posted December 19, 2013 Report Share Posted December 19, 2013 They don't always. The MD500 sits left seat. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JCM5 Posted December 19, 2013 Report Share Posted December 19, 2013 They don't always. The MD500 sits left seat. I believe most tour or sling load operations are set up with left seat PIC as well. Safer on tours to have the collective between you and the door, instead of under the ass of your overweight passenger. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pilot#476398 Posted December 20, 2013 Report Share Posted December 20, 2013 Student and instructor sharing one collective!? So the student panics and pulls up while the instructor tries with all his might to push down,...who will win? ...and who gets the throttle? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aeroscout Posted December 20, 2013 Report Share Posted December 20, 2013 Student and instructor sharing one collective!? So the student panics and pulls up while the instructor tries with all his might to push down,...who will win? ...and who gets the throttle? Whoever has the best and quickest punch. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WolftalonID Posted December 20, 2013 Report Share Posted December 20, 2013 Because he left seat is for NOOBS! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeliNomad Posted December 20, 2013 Report Share Posted December 20, 2013 EC-130 PIC is left seat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dragbrace Posted December 20, 2013 Report Share Posted December 20, 2013 The early Bell 47's (47 B, B3, and D) were configured with two bucket seats and were on wheels. The decision to fly them from the right seat was made after several considerations. #1 The B3 and D had open cockpit configurations and if you flew them from the left side the collective hand was out in the slip stream, not good in cold weather. #2 Ease of access to the instrument panel with the left hand. #3 and least known. The wheeled landing gear had an oleo strut that fastened to the frame right behind the back of the left seat. Unlike today, Helicopter pilots were few and far between. In those days it was thought better to locate the pilot on the right side so that in the case of a hard landing it would lessen the chance of injury to the pilot. In about 1951 Bell came out with the 47 D-1 . It was configured with a 3 place bench seat, skid landing gear and a full bubble with doors. At that time they moved the pilot over to the left side as the main concern was the passengers interfering with the collective. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aeroscout Posted December 20, 2013 Report Share Posted December 20, 2013 (edited) Don't forget tandem seat helicopters.And then there are drones.If some had their way the only pilot seats would be in a radio trailer. I almost forgot the rear facing seat...The skyhook/Tarhe. edit add Edited December 21, 2013 by aeroscout Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe_P148 Posted December 21, 2013 Report Share Posted December 21, 2013 I prefer the left seat. PIC in the Army chooses where they want to sit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharyouTree Posted December 21, 2013 Report Share Posted December 21, 2013 Student and instructor sharing one collective!? So the student panics and pulls up while the instructor tries with all his might to push down,...who will win? ...and who gets the throttle? Same person who wins when the controls are linked like they are now? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sardog Posted December 28, 2013 Report Share Posted December 28, 2013 If It's a Hoist Equipped Aircraft The PIC Generally Sits On The Side With The Hoist Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nearly Retired Posted December 28, 2013 Report Share Posted December 28, 2013 If It's a Hoist Equipped Aircraft The PIC Generally Sits On The Side With The Hoist Yes, that is true. But whenever I post something on an internet forum, there's ALWAYS some smartass who has to post something contradictory. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aussiecop Posted January 3, 2014 Report Share Posted January 3, 2014 Left seat in an Enstrom too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adam32 Posted January 3, 2014 Report Share Posted January 3, 2014 Middle seat in a Hiller... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaybee Posted January 3, 2014 Report Share Posted January 3, 2014 In about 1951 Bell came out with the 47 D-1 . It was configured with a 3 place bench seat, skid landing gear and a full bubble with doors. At that time they moved the pilot over to the left side as the main concern was the passengers interfering with the collective. ummm, dunno about that... anyhow story I was told was - so that they could carry two passengers instead of one ! kinda like 300C vs CBi, Cbi is one passenger RH PIC, the C is LH PIC and 2 passenger. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dragbrace Posted January 3, 2014 Report Share Posted January 3, 2014 With the bench seat the center passenger would be sitting in a position that would interfere with the collective had they flown it from the right side. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pilot#476398 Posted January 3, 2014 Report Share Posted January 3, 2014 Boatpix pilots in the 22 often fly from the left, while the "photographer" takes pictures from the right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaybee Posted January 3, 2014 Report Share Posted January 3, 2014 With the bench seat the center passenger would be sitting in a position that would interfere with the collective had they flown it from the right side.roger that, should have clarified what I was replying to - with RH PIC there is no center passenger ! same thing, different way of saying it i reckon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goldy Posted January 5, 2014 Report Share Posted January 5, 2014 Boatpix pilots in the 22 often fly from the left, while the "photographer" takes pictures from the right.As long as the "photographer" is a rated R22 pilot.....I hope. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iChris Posted January 7, 2014 Report Share Posted January 7, 2014 (edited) Boatpix pilots in the 22 often fly from the left, while the "photographer" takes pictures from the right. As long as the "photographer" is a rated R22 pilot.....I hope. Think about it..... Why would the "photographer" need to be rated in this case? Is there such a limitation in the TCDS, RFM, or SFAR? Edited January 7, 2014 by iChris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
500F Posted January 7, 2014 Report Share Posted January 7, 2014 If my memory serves the RFM (and Placards) indicate the R-22 is Right seat PIC only. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pilot#476398 Posted January 7, 2014 Report Share Posted January 7, 2014 Think about it..... Why would the "photographer" need to be rated in this case? Because if he's not a rated pilot then they wouldn't be able to charge him to be the "photographer" while logging it as flight time! That's like asking why do you need to be a CFI to get "hired" on with a company who's primary business is photo flying! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pilot#476398 Posted January 7, 2014 Report Share Posted January 7, 2014 If my memory serves the RFM (and Placards) indicate the R-22 is Right seat PIC only. Nope. "solo from right seat only" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aeroscout Posted January 7, 2014 Report Share Posted January 7, 2014 Because if he's not a rated pilot then they wouldn't be able to charge him to be the "photographer" while logging it as flight time! That's like asking why do you need to be a CFI to get "hired" on with a company who's primary business is photo flying! Haven't heard much from those folks lately. Maybe they're not doing so well ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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