WestWind1950
In the UK, on trial flights "the customer" usually sits in the left-hand seat. Instructors have been trained to fly light aircraft from either seat. Training aircraft have full dual controls.
A medical is not actually required until such time as a student goes solo for the first time. Reputable flying schools, usually suggest that a student goes for his first medical, as soon as he has definitely decided that he wants to train for a PPL. This avoids a sudent spending a lot of money before discovering that he cannot get a medical.
So to sum up, on a trial lesson:-
- The "customer" will usually sit in the left hand seat
- The "customer" is a "student pilot" under CAA/JAA regulations
- A medical is not required
- The trial lesson can be entered in the student's log book as PUT (Pilot under training) & signed by the instructor
- This flight will count as part of the minimum hours required for a JAA PPL
The above was the situation in the UK, both before & after the arrival of JAR.