Originally Posted by
MaybeItIs
There is room on the outboard side on the seat, just as much as on the inboard side once the seat has moved over. So I suggest the sideways trick is redundant and unnecessary...
There isn't room on either side of the seat for a pilot to get in or out once the seat is positioned forward (ie the normal flying position). When the seat moves rearward, it moves aft and then outboard by a few inches to create enough room on the inboard side for the pilot to get in or out of the seat. The outboard side would normally be occupied by the pilot's nav bag.
Photo with the seat fully aft and outboard. The space on the outboard side of the seat would normally be occupied by the pilot's nav bag.
Photo with the seat fully forward.