Training Left Hand Pic

[Pigeon-dodger]

Hi all,

Anyone think it maybe an issue teaching or learning on a left hand PIC Heli. Most of the 300c and some CBi's are left hand PIC. anyone have any thoughts or know of any issues?

thanks

[helonorth]

Trained and instructed from both sides and never had a problem. May
want to keep new students on one side, at least for a while.

[Pigeon-dodger]

Great thanks,

Any CAA problems in the UK?

tks

[Gordy]

Pidgeon--

"Any CAA problems in the UK?"

Now there is a loaded question--especially with all the discussion about the pitfalls of the US system of public use aircraft..

[FLY 7]

Aren't enstroms l/h pic?

Many f/w pilots prefer l/h pic on a heli.

[Pigeon-dodger]

Any CAA problems in the UK?

Was really wondering if there was some obscure rule that said heli training had to be right pic only.

thanks

[md 600 driver]

i trained in a enstrom 280 and a 480 both with l/h pic my md 600 was lefthandpic too also some md 500s and 520s and 300s are l/h pic

bell 47 and hiller 12c and rotorway are on the left too

[windowseatplease]

I imagine the CAA would defer to the flight manual/POH of the particular aircraft. If the manufacturer said left hand PIC (eg 300c model), then left hand it is....

[helikiwi34]

ive done all my ppl LH pic in a 300 and cbi, also r22 right hand, my preference would be left hand, especially if you are doing sling work you dont have to stretch with the collective, much easier. i note most of the cbi in the US seem to right hand pic?

[Helinut]

I think that if the RFM says PIC left seat, then that will be where the stude sits. I have never come across any rule even from the CAA or anyone else that says you should contravene the RFM.

[Gordy]

The CB/CBi is RIGHT seat pic. Some history..The CB was born out of discussions in the early 90's with Schweizer when the NTSB was threatening to ground the Robinson. The idea was to bring the cost of acquisition and operating costs of the 300C, closer to that of the R-22. A number of "downgrades" were made to the existing 300C model. One of those was to take away the capability of carrying 3 people.

The "B" in CB stands for "basic", as in no capability to put in a third seat--which is why the PIC sits on the left in the C model.

[Phil77]

The "B" in CB stands for "basic", as in no capability to put in a third seat--which is why the PIC sits on the left in the C model.

...just to clarify: ones you get a 2 seater you got two seats - no way to change it (easily), but you can still order a 300 CBi with optional 3-seats and left-hand PIC.

PS: how you doin' Gordy? I saw you left HAI shortly after I was done there (you tought me the "real-world-flying part" of my CFI at the time... helped me a lot at during the last two years! Thanks again!).

[Gordy]

PS: how you doin' Gordy? I saw you left HAI shortly after I was done there (you taught me the "real-world-flying part" of my CFI at the time... helped me a lot at during the last two years! Thanks again!).

Thank you--you are welcome..As you obviously know--sometimes it can help to be shown "how" and "what" helicopters are capable of, and the work they do in the real world, outside of the controlled training environment. Sadly, these days it can be frowned upon. It would be interesting to find out how many people were "surprised" when they left the "nest", vs those who were "exposed" to a more realistic world.

I am doing good--currently on fire contract in Michigan--about to relocate to Idaho for the rest of fire season.

Edited for gramatical errors..

[Pigeon-dodger]

Actually was/am looking to buy a left hand PIC 300CBi in teach on. I guess the only issues are potentialy some extra stress for the student if they have to 'swap sides' at a later date and maybe having to reach across for the radio....I guess no big deal espcially if it happens in the real world.

I notice the starter is on the left hand collective, how do you get about this with a 'trial lesson', just ask the person sitting there to hit the button or reach across?

tks

[Whirlygig]

For my trial lesson in an S300C (LHS P1), I sat on the right hand side so my instructor could start the engine - after that, all training I did was from the left seat.

Now flying a right hand seat CBi and I had very little difficulty in changing across except for pushing in the mixture control on start; that's a bit awkward!!

The CBi doesn't have as much power as a C, I wonder how three-up in a CBi would fare???

Cheers

Whirls

[Pigeon-dodger]

CB is not fuel injectd and CBi is fuel injected. I think the parts etc are nearly all the same for the C and the CB / CBi but they derate the engine to 170hp and the whole things revs lower extending the TBO times and hence lowering operating costs for the CBi.

As a training heli i think it has to be the best ..... not mentioning any others of course.....

[md 600 driver]

pidgeon
isnt that what malc said

CB stood for carburettor, as its the model they took the fuel injection out off

[Pigeon-dodger]

md 600..

not sure CB stands for carburator, think it stands for 'basic' like phil77 says. Although they seem to make a distinction with the CBi and CB, they do not seem to do the same with the C but i am sure some 'C's have the fuel injected engine and some don't although they do not call them 'C' and 'Ci'....if you get my drift....

Anyway....so long as its ok to teach left and right PIC as per the POH (managed to confirm this with this now as a refferal back to the POH).

tks