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Help and Support Forums => Help and Training => Topic started by: wetcat on October 07, 2014, 09:14:14 AM

Title: G4M pilot position?
Post by: wetcat on October 07, 2014, 09:14:14 AM

I was flying a G4M 'Betty' last night and noticed (right away) that the pilot's seat in AH is on the right.
Although I have never flown a Betty in real life, I have flown a number of other fixed-wing AC, both real and simulated, and I have never seen one with the PIC seat on the right.
Is that historically accurate?

Title: Re: G4M pilot position?
Post by: MK-84 on October 07, 2014, 11:27:02 PM

Quote from: wetcat on October 07, 2014, 09:14:14 AM

I was flying a G4M 'Betty' last night and noticed (right away) that the pilot's seat in AH is on the right.
Although I have never flown a Betty in real life, I have flown a number of other fixed-wing AC, both real and simulated, and I have never seen one with the PIC seat on the right.
Is that historically accurate?

Short answer: Yes
Long answer: I'm not sure, but as a pure guess, perhaps it has something to do with the cockpits layout as a result of design, and ergonomically the right side was the best for the pilot?  A quick google search provided no answers. I would be interested to find out why.

Title: Re: G4M pilot position?
Post by: FTJR on October 10, 2014, 01:12:15 AM

Helicopter PIC's sit on the right hand seat IIRC.

But yes it is unusual. No I dont know if its correct or not.

Title: Re: G4M pilot position?
Post by: Arlo on October 10, 2014, 03:41:30 AM

"... the seat in the right front was for the pilot. IJN pilot/copilot positions were the reverse of American practice."

http://www.j-aircraft.com/faq/G4M.htm#G4M%20Cockpit%20Questions

Title: Re: G4M pilot position?
Post by: wetcat on October 10, 2014, 09:24:22 AM

Cool! Thanks!