Mad Flight Scientist writes:
How is transitioning from RHS to LHS on AB any harder than swapping from driving a manual transmission in the UK to the rest of the world, or vise versa? Or even RHS to LHS on any non-siudestick aircraft? You still have to swap hands for the throttle in the latter case.
To maintain, say, a RH sidestick in the LH seat would impose some pretty bizarre cockpit constraints, to the extent that it would be hard to conceive of using a single set of engine controls, indeed the whole centre console almost needs duplicating. I doubt it could be made a practical layout.
Mad, thanks for writing something with sense behind it.
No, moving the stick wouldn't be dream-easy. It would entail moving either the R-H seat a little left to make room, or moving some center console stuff to other locations - which might be tragic when push comes to shove.
harder than swapping from driving a manual transmission in the UK to the rest of the world
Actually, the issue is the steering wheel - yers are on the right, all y'alls over here are on the left.
I've had the pleasure of riding with a business associate from London on his first trip to our magnificent country - my esteemed associate promptly drove said Hertz-mobile into an oncoming car at - fortunately - about 12 mph.
My point is exactly that - when you're overwhelmed, can you guarantee that "what is right-handed in normal life translates to left-handed in the extreme."
Again, not calling AB onto the carpet - merely hoping to inspire some thoughts about future designs.
RR
Compressor writes:
I am right handed and cannot write legibly nor throw a ball with my left hand.
I can swap seats in the 'bus without a second thought as to which hand is controlling the stick. I would say my proficiency is the same in either seat.
I think you are trying to find an issue where there is none.
Not at all - merely trying to inspire thought.
I'm glad you're comfortable with your stick skills left-handed.
My intent here is to simply get pilots thinking about two things: the man / machine interface, and how engineers design that interface.
Nothing more.
The more a flight deck resembles what YOU want it to be, the safer I'll be.
Peace,
Ray
Denver, Colorado