Command endorsement simulator course. Left or right seat decision
 

An overseas job required an A320 ICAO command type rating. The operator who advertised for first officers was unaware of Australian copilot ratings and their regulator only recognize only a command rating.

Various training providers in Australia offer command type ratings with choice of left or right seat. RH seat selection assumes the candidate will start off as a first officer. Since the captain traditionally operates from the command (LH) seat, then should not a command type rating also require the candidate to operate from that seat? Will CASA accept the type rating as a command rating even though all handling is from the first officer position? As airline rejected take off procedures are normally done by the aircraft captain (LH seat), is the sequence accepted by CASA as valid if done from the first officer seat?

No problems at all switching seats. I did it to get my Command Endo even though I started flying as an FO. Just jumped in the LH seat for the rejected take-offs.

Its easy to do if you're on a course with two FOs. As one will always be playing captain. It was during this time in the left I was able to experience enough rejects to satisfy CASA requirement.

On the subject of Co-Pilot Ratings. Yes, many countries out there don't recognise them. If you plan to work overseas, it's always best to get the Command Endo as they makes conversion easier.

It seems logical that a candidate undergoing a command endorsement from the RH seat should make all the decisions including a decision to abort a take off. This leaves the occupant of the LH seat as nothing more than support pilot (PNF) and not the captain for the exercise? He should therefore not be taking over control from the command endorsement candidate to reject the take off following engine failure.

The fact that airline SOP generally requires the captain (LH seat) to conduct the rejected take off procedure has no relevance to training for a command endorsement from the RH seat. If the command endorsement is conducted from the right seat then all decisions relating to the flight including the decision and physical actions to reject a take off below V1 is the responsibility of the RH seat pilot.

What CC said about CASA is correct, and reflects current thinking by TR providers.

Sheppey, not sure what stage of play you're at, but if you're worried about its acceptance overseas, why don't you ask for both LHS & RHS RTOs during your next check ? That would satisfy even the most discerning overseas DGCA.

Personally I don't think there's any difference in the drill. The F/O can play PIC from the RHS, just as the Captain can play himself in the LHS. It's your sector and your call.