Originally Posted by
Robbiee
,...but still, that does seem a rather stupid place to put the brake handle.
Yeah, the drain plug and it’s position in your favourite helicopter type is much better….
Originally Posted by
Bullethead
Isn't the command seat in a helo the RH seat, it was when I flew them, and if so the rotor brake handle would have been infront of the pilot and not in front of the passenger.
Why has there been a shift to the LH seat for chopper captains?
Cheers,
BH.
It depends which type it is. Not “chopper Captains” in general. This is an EC130 (a variant of the AS350 type certificate) which is left hand drive due to its development as a slightseeing machine.
This model is a developed from the AS350 which is right hand drive but which some operators had their machines modified to be flown from the left due to passenger comfort.
The position of the fuel shut off and brake quadrant is mainly due to ibeing the same parts used in the 350, after it was moved from the floor, where it’s location has made a lot more unwanted outcomes.