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-   -   PIC C172 Right Hand Seat (https://www.pprune.org/pacific-general-aviation-questions/505801-pic-c172-right-hand-seat.html)

spriteah 21st Jan 2013 09:48

PIC C172 Right Hand Seat
 
A simple question. Can I legally be PIC if sitting in the right hand seat of a Cessna 172M?

Thanks in advance to the replies.

Spriteah.

compressor stall 21st Jan 2013 09:56

Depends what the person in the LHS doing/logging

VH-XXX 21st Jan 2013 10:05

Yes you can.

The only practical limitation is if the POH says so and given it's a Cessna, has dual controls, yoke, pedals etc, you are good to go.

This question comes up a lot and you're usually hit with a barrage of "my school says this, my CFI said that, blah blah" but if you're talking about your private aircraft then you are talking a non-event. The only limitation you could potentially face would be your piloting skills and your insurance company and only you can answer those questions.

I once owned an aircraft that had dual controls but the POH said Left-Hand solo seat only because the safety glass hammer was located behind the right passenger seat - caught me a little by surprise when I read it.

smiling monkey 21st Jan 2013 13:10

I don't see why not. Flight instructors do it all the time don't they?

Lasiorhinus 21st Jan 2013 13:46

Of course you can.

There is nothing in the C172 flight manual that restricts you to flying from one seat or another.

Fly it all day from the right if you wish.

172s are not so bad, but the Piper Cherokee is an aircraft I prefer to fly from the right hand seat where possible. Much easier to get in and out of the door. You have to reach a little further for the fuel control, however.

swh 21st Jan 2013 19:59

The PiC can be in a back seat. No regulation requires the PIC to have a control seat.

bentleg 22nd Jan 2013 00:18


Can I legally be PIC if sitting in the right hand seat of a Cessna 172M?
Of course, as already said flight instructors do it when teaching.

If you are flying solo why would you do it? - Given the instrument panel is in front the the LH seat.

Lasiorhinus 22nd Jan 2013 03:20

Why would you?

Easier, if you had already been sitting in the right hand seat for one leg, and the other pilot stayed on the ground for the next leg. Easier than changing seats.

Familiarity - you may be more used to flying from the right.

Accidentally - you thought it was a car and just climbed into the right hand side, then didn't feel like swapping.

MakeItHappenCaptain 22nd Jan 2013 03:58


The PiC can be in a back seat. No regulation requires the PIC to have a control seat.
Oh come on!
If you're going to siht stir, at least do it with some conviction!
(Like mentioning the inspectors who used to log time from the pax cabin on burners.:E)

Jack Ranga 22nd Jan 2013 04:00

Or you want to be a helicopter pilot and are getting used to the view?

mostlytossas 22nd Jan 2013 04:53

Hell, why even be in the aircraft? Be PIC from the front bar of the nearest pub.
Just remember to log your time.;)

Two_dogs 22nd Jan 2013 07:36

Lasiorhinus, I once made the mistake of taxiing a Cherokee from the right seat. Much panic at the other end of the parking apron when I realized there are NO brakes fitted to that side. I changed sides smartly and added a few grey hairs at the same time. :eek:

TwoHundred 22nd Jan 2013 09:06

Yes you can! The PIC can sit on either side, no rules regs dictate otherwise for SP ops.

compressor stall 22nd Jan 2013 09:39

You can't be PIC in the right if there's already one in the left. I've heard it asked. :ugh:

metalman2 23rd Jan 2013 08:16

So for logging time , say the PIC is in the left hand seat,,,and another pilot is in the right hand seat,,,,,and the PIC Decides she will be unable to see out of the cockpit for approximately 8-12 minutes,,,,,,does the other pilot start to log time ,,,,or is it just easier to not worry about it,,,,;)
Met

Lasiorhinus 23rd Jan 2013 11:03

Please tell me that wasn't a serious question.... :ugh:

Keg 23rd Jan 2013 11:17



The PiC can be in a back seat. No regulation requires the PIC to have a control seat.
Oh come on!
If you're going to siht stir, at least do it with some conviction!
I log PIC time from the back seat and even the bunk whilst asleep-as long as the flight plan has my name on it of course. :ok:

AviatoR21 23rd Jan 2013 13:18

Well I know of a current Capt who boasts that whilst doing his CPL training he would fire up his Cessna and leave the park brake on then go kick the footy with his passengers and log the time!

metalman2 24th Jan 2013 00:53

Why so serious? Of course it's not a real question,,,,

Swept-Wing 24th Jan 2013 22:23

you can. as long as you can prove that you can adequately operate all controls from the right hand seat (as per CAO/CAR)


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