Left Handed or Right Handed?
Avoid imitations
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Teeters,
Yes, I remember the other reason for the demo being as you stated. I don't think it was particularly valid because a qualified pilot would have certain expectations about how the controls worked because of his trained and practised skills. When a trained pilot flies "wrong-handed" the controls do something else. A student doesn't suffer from that - he only knows that he has to learn a new skill, not "unlearn" an ingrained one and then relearn a new one in a split second.
I also recall someone telling me that the problem was known about in the days of the Sycamore, where the collective was a single control in the middle of the cockpit. QHIs had to be able to safely fly from both seats, flying "wrong-handed" when in the left seat.
Were we 1 Sqn colleagues in 1984/85?
Yes, I remember the other reason for the demo being as you stated. I don't think it was particularly valid because a qualified pilot would have certain expectations about how the controls worked because of his trained and practised skills. When a trained pilot flies "wrong-handed" the controls do something else. A student doesn't suffer from that - he only knows that he has to learn a new skill, not "unlearn" an ingrained one and then relearn a new one in a split second.
I also recall someone telling me that the problem was known about in the days of the Sycamore, where the collective was a single control in the middle of the cockpit. QHIs had to be able to safely fly from both seats, flying "wrong-handed" when in the left seat.
Were we 1 Sqn colleagues in 1984/85?
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I thiink the 'wrong handed' Gazelle thing came to a head when the QHI crashed/heavy landed in Follies (or one of the other CAs in that part of the world). As he put it to me "....so I floored the collective as we went through the level attitude". Oh the joys of instruction!!
Gentleman Aviator
Shy Torque
I agree that the flt cdr incident is most likely the real reason, but probably not politick to publicize: "OK Bloggs, on this sortie we'll demonstrate how a (now) senior officer fecked up when he was a flt cdr here!"
....I don't think so .....
The Sycamore probably did have a bearing on it (no, it was before my time, but the late and much lamented George McCracken used to speak at length about it). The Sycamore, IIRC, also had a manual throttle (only!) which ran athwartships rather than fore-and-aft (if you see what I mean) as a sort of T-piece on the end of the single, central collective. Poor QHI had not only to fly wrong handed, but turn the throttle the "wrong" way ... but I guess men were men in them days ...
... I was on 1 Sqn in 79/81 when the Gaz first came into basic, in 84/85 I was back at EGOS flying the Big Boys' coal-fired council houses on 2 Sqn ....
I agree that the flt cdr incident is most likely the real reason, but probably not politick to publicize: "OK Bloggs, on this sortie we'll demonstrate how a (now) senior officer fecked up when he was a flt cdr here!"
....I don't think so .....
The Sycamore probably did have a bearing on it (no, it was before my time, but the late and much lamented George McCracken used to speak at length about it). The Sycamore, IIRC, also had a manual throttle (only!) which ran athwartships rather than fore-and-aft (if you see what I mean) as a sort of T-piece on the end of the single, central collective. Poor QHI had not only to fly wrong handed, but turn the throttle the "wrong" way ... but I guess men were men in them days ...
... I was on 1 Sqn in 79/81 when the Gaz first came into basic, in 84/85 I was back at EGOS flying the Big Boys' coal-fired council houses on 2 Sqn ....
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L Peacock,
The throttle rock test switch is situated at the back of the right hand side panel, near to the fuel temp gauges, and Nh/Nl governor test switch. When operated, dolls eyes confirm that both throttle rock microswitches (one for T/Rev, one for Lift Dump) are operating correctly. One of the many pre flight checks.
It's location is such that you operate with your right hand.
The throttle rock test switch is situated at the back of the right hand side panel, near to the fuel temp gauges, and Nh/Nl governor test switch. When operated, dolls eyes confirm that both throttle rock microswitches (one for T/Rev, one for Lift Dump) are operating correctly. One of the many pre flight checks.
It's location is such that you operate with your right hand.
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L Peacock,
My mistake, you're completely right. A drunken reply to the original post had me confused somewhat. The dolls eyes are back there, but no switch of course, only APU and gov test switches
I'll get back in my hole.
It requires me to make a large L shape on my forehead
My mistake, you're completely right. A drunken reply to the original post had me confused somewhat. The dolls eyes are back there, but no switch of course, only APU and gov test switches
I'll get back in my hole.
What does throttle rock test require you to do with your right hand??
Below the Glidepath - not correcting
Being a left handed rotary pilot is great for writing on kneeboards, but when I was exceeding my learning capacity on basic rotary and subsequently being interviewed by the CFI at Wallop (the Lord you know who); he spotted I was left handed and determined this was why I was overcontrolling (a lack of sensitivity in my right (cyclic) hand). He gave me 5 more hours and sent me back to my ex-military instructor. The gruff old wise one just looked at me and pointed out I was overcontrolling because I was a lazy, idle, useless wazzock, and not because I had the mark of the devil, and if I wanted to get as far as wings parade I had better switch on and tune in . After following his advice, and unfortunately for Aviation, according to my flying record folder I subsequently "reached a satisfactory piloting standard despite having no natural ability whatsoever", but still to this day have the neatest handwriting on any kneeboard, anywhere.
Avoid imitations
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An' good on yer! 
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In days of old the Vulcan conversion to left hand seat was about getting used to a stick in the left hand and throttles in the right. For the taller aviators it also meant leaning the head to the right rather than left. The Dominie (still struggling on?) had a rams horn type yoke, the only reason for which I was ever given was "just like Concorde being built at the same time". It was a bit strange to formate from the right hand seat.
Bulldog students had to fly left stick, right throttle, Grob the same(?), but the Firefly 260, thanks to Uncle Sam has controls in the right places because it is soloed in the right hand seat.
Bulldog students had to fly left stick, right throttle, Grob the same(?), but the Firefly 260, thanks to Uncle Sam has controls in the right places because it is soloed in the right hand seat.
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50+
The Dominie was the HS125. The Trident , HS121, had a Ramshorn. I think Concord had a Ramshorn because of these 2, after all so few Concordes were made it would seen strange to make a special one for them although I don't think it was exactly the same design.
The Dominie was the HS125. The Trident , HS121, had a Ramshorn. I think Concord had a Ramshorn because of these 2, after all so few Concordes were made it would seen strange to make a special one for them although I don't think it was exactly the same design.
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The "RAF" grob 115 is soloed from the RH seat so is throttle left, stick right. Some earlier models had yokes and I think some have LH throttles for both seats
Mike W
Mike W
SL and ST
Seem to remember the individual has been known as 'Bob the Bastard' - but that may just be the name given him by a certain Navy QHI at Shawbs a few years ago. Think the first bit of his name is correct though (not sure about the rest!). The aircraft was written off though!! ( in Follies, I believe).
Seem to remember the individual has been known as 'Bob the Bastard' - but that may just be the name given him by a certain Navy QHI at Shawbs a few years ago. Think the first bit of his name is correct though (not sure about the rest!). The aircraft was written off though!! ( in Follies, I believe).
