Thanks for your comments. It was purely a roster issue.

Link to power line work in South Africa
 

Here is a link I found to work being done in South Africa.

truly spectacular flying!:ok:

OK, now I'm going to ask a stupid question.

Why is the aircraft (Hughes 369?) flown from the left seat? I was asked this by one of the people I was watching the programme with and I simply do not know the answer. I know reason for the Bell 47, but that does not apply to the Hughes.

Please be gentle with me! I don't normally ask stoopid questions.

Low Flier

The H369 was originally designed to accommodate 3 persons in the front. If the pilot sat on the right, then the collective lever would be beneath the centre passenger's bottom - possibly good fun, but not very practical - hence the need for the pilot to sit on the left.

Is that how you got your moniker?

Cheers

Whirls

Buttocknurdler,

Thanks. So it turns out to be the same reason as the Bell 47 after all.

I suppose I shoulda guessed, but I didn't want to answer my companion's question with guesswork.

With the Hughes's tail rotor being on the left I couldn't see any safety advantage to sitting on the left when so close to the lines.

Interesting prog all the same -- and maximum respect to those who fly such work routinely. Superb accuracy of flying and tremendous stamina. Lovely teamwork too.

Quite a few helis have l/h pic. Certainly feels more logical if you come from fixed wing.