Originally Posted by
melmothtw
A couple of interesting takes for me was the ‘right-handed’ stick and throttle configuration for the Captain’s position, as opposed to it being a ‘left-handed’ configuration in the C-17 with the shared throttles in the centre console position (same is true for the A400M, though with a side-stick). Previously I’ve been told it makes no difference to fly the C-17/A400M ‘left-handed’, but NG clearly thought differently when they designed the B-2.
The B-1 had two right-handed pilot positions. When the general in charge of the B-1 program took over the C-17 program, he insisted it have two right-handed positions. When Douglas presented USAF with the bill for that late change their tune changed and the pilot positions remained mirror image. I doubt having two right hand positions was Northrop's idea. I'd guess that USAF imposed it on them as they tried to impose it on Douglas.