Why do we turn left in the pattern?

[EagleDNY]

Because the original early pre-WWI aviators were mostly rich aristocrat hobbyists who were taught that line of dance always turns left on the dance floor.  When these barons all got together to fly from a single field, they just followed the same rule - line of dance turns to the left and it is your responsibility to avoid collision with another dancer. 

 

[Dawger]

See rule #4

[colmbo]

We turn left in the pattern because the FARs dictate we turn left and if we don't there is some guy at the FSDO just waiting to have to "stop by for a chat".

[icepac]

Look for the segmented circle.

[CavPuke]

The reason the pic sits in the right seat in helos is because the collective is on the left and the cyclic is controlled with the right hand allowing the pilot once he has set the collective set to whatever power setting he needs to use his left hand to use the avionics, other controls, etc located on the center console or overhead console. When helos are conducting long line ops the left seat is used because it allows you to lean further to the left to look out and down out of the bubble window to see what the load is doing or where the hook is when picking up or planting a load, plus you rest your left arm on the window to help stabilize your body. You're not able to lean as far to the right again because the cyclic being manipulated by your right hand limits your ability to lean to the right.

[Vraciu]

Well, things may have changed over the years, but traditionally the helo PIC was/is in the right seat.   This was at one time a configuration-dependent situation.   With dual collective controls that went out the window, but tradition stuck...at least for awhile...partly due to ergonomics.   In any event, it dates back to Igor Sikorsky and the first generation of Army helo pilots who became the instructors that taught the first wave how to fly them.

It's one of those things both AIRWOLF and BLUE THUNDER got right.   The former because Bellisario was a helo pilot as I recall.

Fixed. 

[CavPuke]

The only reason you wouldn't have dual sets of controls is to increase passenger capacity. I have flown BH206s and BH212s which had the copilot's cyclic and collective removed to maximize the # of paxs, but a mechanic could reinstall them quite easily. I have seen throw over cyclic set ups, like the R22, but I've haven't seen a set up where the sic had a cyclic only. Doesn't mean that it does not exist, but just does not make any sense. Kinda like the sic on a fixed wing having access only to the rudder pedals and not the yoke.

[DREDIOCK]

Interstingly, since most fighters are flown with a stick in the right hand the tendency for breaks is to the left.    That's what an old Marine warhorse told me years ago.  I've noticed I have the same tendency in the game.   Go figure.

I noticed a long time ago most people have a tendancy to break left then right

[Vraciu]

The only reason you wouldn't have dual sets of controls is to increase passenger capacity. I have flown BH206s and BH212s which had the copilot's cyclic and collective removed to maximize the # of paxs, but a mechanic could reinstall them quite easily. I have seen throw over cyclic set ups, like the R22, but I've haven't seen a set up where the sic had a cyclic only. Doesn't mean that it does not exist, but just does not make any sense. Kinda like the sic on a fixed wing having access only to the rudder pedals and not the yoke.

Dual collectives have not always been the norm.   The right seat thing stems from that. 

[colmbo]

I noticed a long time ago most people have a tendancy to break left then right

It's easier to "push" the stick vs "pull" when moving it lateral.

[CavPuke]

Dual collectives have not always been the norm.   The right seat thing stems from that.

I think that you are missing the point. The right seat is the PIC seat because the collective is on the left. The collective dose not require constant minor adjustments like the cyclic to maintain stable flight, hence the left hand hand is more readily available to tune radios, avionics, etc, the right hand is not. It has nothing to do with dual flight control set ups.

[Vraciu]

I think that you are missing the point. The right seat is the PIC seat because the collective is on the left. The collective dose not require constant minor adjustments like the cyclic to maintain stable flight, hence the left hand hand is more readily available to tune radios, avionics, etc, the right hand is not. It has nothing to do with dual flight control set ups.

I'm not missing the point.   I already stated this in my original post. 

Dual controls have caused a blurring of the right seat vs left seat thing as mentioned by saggs above but traditionally the PIC is the RSP. 

[Shuffler]

Left is correct and right is wrong. Ask any of us left handers.

[Drano]

Left is correct and right is wrong. Ask any of us left handers.

Everybody knows left handers aren't in their right mind!

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

[Shuffler]

Everybody knows left handers aren't in their right mind!

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

Actually we are. Look into what side of the brain controls the left side.