Flying from the R/H seat

[JONATHAN PEARSON]

Hi to All Pprune members

I belong to a syndicate that operates a PA28.
We recently had a group meeting where one of our group members "expressed" an interest in flying the A/C from the R/H seat (P1) and carrying a "non flying person" in the L/H seat as a passenger. (We believe the person has already be doing this without the group knowing)

The group member does NOT has an instructor rating CAA or FAA.

Where can I find the legal requirements concerning weither this is a breach of any CAA rules.

Thanks in advance
Mutley7
<img src="wink.gif" border="0">

[DVR6K]

As far as I know you can fly in the right hand seat if you want to without any specific extras. However, if you are going to, fly with someone who can accompany you in the left hand seat legally first for a few hours because it´s a whole different ball game in a PA28 from the RHS.

It´ll take time for you to read the instruments properly from across the cockpit and your landing perspective seems strange at first from the right hand seat not to mention controls.

[seupp]

In Sweden I'm pretty sure that the pic has to be in the left seat while there is no such requirement in the USA.

seupp

[carbheatcold]

Having asked the same question of my instructor recently I do not believe there is a restriction on which side you have to fly on. He and I then went and tried it during a club checkout and I totally agree with DVR6K comments regarding the perspective. It is more difficult than it sounds. The reason for asking was that I usually fly with other PPL's and I wondered what it would be like if I had to take control due to illness or whatever. I wonder if awkward questions would be asked in the event of an incident if PIC is in RHS and passenger is in LHS.

[Multp]

UK regulations suggested answer:

If the person in the LHS is not a qualified pilot,
you must be an instructor and the LHS seat occupant a bona-fide and properly briefed student...
..UNLESS you are 100% satisfied that the aircraft may be safely flown from the RHS, taking into account your view of the instruments and access to/operation of all primary, secondary and system controls. Most light aircraft are designed to be flown single pilot from the LHS and the Flight Manual may go further and actually specify this...in which case that is the only option.
In default, consider whether with a Pax in the LHS you leave yourself open to prosecution under Art 63/64 ANO (endangering safety of aircraft/persons)and equally to your insurance company declining to pick up the tab should anything go wrong.