Helicopter Captains and Airline Captains

[tellboy]

Not sure which category to put this one in really.

Why do Helicopter Captains sit on the right and Airline (fixed wing) Captains sit on the left. Moving from the right hand seat to the left hand seat is big promotion in the Airlines.

Just seems very odd . Anyone know ?

[polar_bear]

I fly a small light aircraft and still sit on the left because I was told to when I was learning and we were taught left hand circuits around the airfield After I got my licence and a few hundred hours I tried sitting in the right hand seat and it felt 'orrible. Couldnt wait to land and swap back.The Instructor was of course in the right hand seat and he was very senior to me which blows the whole argument out of the water doesnt it. I expect helicopter pilots just want to be the same as a UK car and drive on the right.

We need a helicopter pilot to tell us.

[Quizmonster]

Click here for an answer.

[polar_bear]

A good explanation Quizmonster but....

it has now left me wondering this. When a flying instructor on a fixed wing aircraft flies on his own (which he may do sometimes) does he from preference sit in the right hand seat..... and ditto but vice-versa for the helicopter pilot instructor.

This is getting very complicated .....!

[fo3nix]

probably the left seat.

it's a bit like driving instructors. they sit on the left (in the UK at least), and teach the learner on the right. but when they drive, most drive sitting on the right!

[polar_bear]

But in a car the steering wheel is on the right (UK) thats why . In an aircraft everything is duplicated in each seat

[fo3nix]

it was probably just set by someone once (probably an early pilot, probably American), that people fly in the left. hence the left is the main pilot's seat, the right being for the co-pilot.