Sidestick position

[billybedeveril]

I always think I would feel uncomfortable using the left hand seat sidestick in an airbus, being right handed. Any thoughts?

[Cough]

So how many Boeing A/C have you flown from the LHS with your Right hand on the stick?

[toby320]

actually is more easy to handle using you left hand and all around of the lh seat is easy for you so no problem :ok:

[billybedeveril]

Thankyou Toby. I shall now proceed to the left hand seat without delay.

[AerocatS2A]

Most of us learned to fly on trainers with left hand on the yoke and right hand on the throttle. Some of us flew gliders with right hand on the stick and left hand on the spoilers. Some of us flew aerobatic machines with right hand on the stick and left hand on the throttle. Some of us spent time as a CPL flying single pilot with left on yoke and right on throttles. Some of us became FOs and flew for a period with right hand on the yoke and left hand on the power levers. I don't understand why people think there'd be a problem changing, you've probably changed at least once before in your career.

[PENKO]

It is not as simple as 'we all flew Cessna's from the left'.

Whereas with conventional collumns your whole arm is involved in steering, with the Airbus sidestick it's only the wrist that moves the stick. This requires very delicate input and it all comes down to fine muscle movements in your wrist, without the stabilizing guidance of the rest of your arm. This can be quite challenging if you are not used to use your left hand for delicate matters (like writing!)... initially there is no finesse whatsoever.

About twenty flights before you start greasing again.

[kick the tires]

I'd be surprised if it didnt feel comfortable after 10 mins!

Remember tho, the less you touch it, the better you are!

[Rick777]

I flew the Bus for 10 years and while it was never a problem, it always felt kind of unnatural flying a stick with my left hand.

[Mudfoot]

A new 'Bus driver may be surprised at first try, whichever side you're seated on.

The sidestick not like a video game stick that one can mash from side to side with abandon, rather it has built in movement dampers which give it a firm but forgiving feedback in all directions. But, the further you push it the firmer the response, i.e., "lock-to-lock" travel is not instantaneous. The grip is similar to a pistol grip, very comfortable and natural feeling.

Cheers, y'all.