Right handed Captains and left handed first officers!
Discussion
Not an issue for the Boeing folk but in the Airbus’ I always wondered how first officers who are left handed for example go on flying with the joy stick on the right...and vice versa.
Then, how difficult is it for a first officer who becomes a captain to transfer from flying the aircraft with their left hand to now using their right hand.
I’m quite dexterous with both hand but I know a lot of people aren’t so I was always curious.
Then, how difficult is it for a first officer who becomes a captain to transfer from flying the aircraft with their left hand to now using their right hand.
I’m quite dexterous with both hand but I know a lot of people aren’t so I was always curious.
Edited by Shotgun Jon on Saturday 7th November 21:12
You get used to it pretty quickly. I’m right handed so going from the right seat to the left was initially a bit of a nightmare, but after a couple of trips it was second nature. So much so that a few years later when I started instructing the new captains and I was sat in the right seat again, it felt very odd 
Shotgun Jon said:
Not an issue for the Boeing folk but in the Airbus’ I always wondered how first officers who are left handed for example go on flying with the joy stick on the right...and vice versa.
Then, how difficult is it for a first officer who becomes a captain to transfer from flying the aircraft with their left hand to now using their right hand.
I’m quite dexterous with both hand but I know a lot of people aren’t so I was always curious.
A first officer would transfer from flying with their right hand to their left, as captain. No?Then, how difficult is it for a first officer who becomes a captain to transfer from flying the aircraft with their left hand to now using their right hand.
I’m quite dexterous with both hand but I know a lot of people aren’t so I was always curious.
Edited by Shotgun Jon on Saturday 7th November 21:12
Yeah you've missed a trick there mate. Doesn't matter what aircraft you fly, chances are the left-seat uses their left hand for stick / woke and right hand for power and vice versa since the go-faster levers are in the middle.
Answer to the question is that it's pretty straightforward, a bit like driving a LHD car vs a RHD car. It feels a bit funny for a few minutes after you switch but soon become second nature. Adjusting the seat is a mind-bender though.
Answer to the question is that it's pretty straightforward, a bit like driving a LHD car vs a RHD car. It feels a bit funny for a few minutes after you switch but soon become second nature. Adjusting the seat is a mind-bender though.
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Actually starting out as a First Officer is probably more of an issue.
When you start out flying light aircraft, you always fly from the left hand seat, so fly using your left hand and control the throttle using your right, unless you are lucky enough to learn on a tandem seated aircraft.
The worst thing about transitioning from right to left seat initially is actually the view, you’ve got so used to seeing the runway with the combing sloping down to the right and having your right knee on the centreline, it really feels ‘uncomfortable’ for the first few flights.
Oh and Boeing 737/757/767 pilots funnily enough fly with one hand too, those throttles aren’t going to move on their own are they ?
When you start out flying light aircraft, you always fly from the left hand seat, so fly using your left hand and control the throttle using your right, unless you are lucky enough to learn on a tandem seated aircraft.
The worst thing about transitioning from right to left seat initially is actually the view, you’ve got so used to seeing the runway with the combing sloping down to the right and having your right knee on the centreline, it really feels ‘uncomfortable’ for the first few flights.
Oh and Boeing 737/757/767 pilots funnily enough fly with one hand too, those throttles aren’t going to move on their own are they ?
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