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Left/Right handedness V's control stick and knobs switching

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David Lucas

Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 79
Location: Europe. based Amsterdam NL

Posted: Tue Dec 19, 2006 9:19 am Post subject: Left/Right handedness V's control stick and knobs switching

My curiosity gets the better of me.  I've been flying profesionally for a long time. Initially as a copilot and then later as Captain. In my copilot days in the Right Seat, and during manual flight (ie. non autopilot flight) I would have my Right hand on the controls and my Left hand on the throttles. Other switching, radio's or systems etc, is usually done by the other pilot but if necessary I would do it with my Left hand (my Right hand staying on the control column). On moving to the Left seat it all changed of course, with the Left Hand now on the controls and the right hand on the throttles and, as and if necesary, switching the required knob.



Now I'm Right handed, so the Left seat style is very comfortable for me as the Right hand is more accurate for those fiddly little jobs like selecting a particular frequency, altimeter setting etc. I think 'dexterity' is the right word for it. I even notice my Righthanded copilots leaning across to switch an item with their Right hand (during autopilot flight) rather that using their Left hand even though it would have been closer to the appropriate control.



I've noticed on the KOLB's and many similar types, especialy single seat or tandum, that both options have been used, sometimes throttle control on the Right and sometimes on the Left (assuming stick in the middle).



So my question (to satisfy my curiousity) is;  What layout do you prefer given your Left or Right handedness and why, or is it even an issue ?



I think my default position for this Right-hander would be Stick in the Left hand and Throttle handling and other switches etc done with the Right Hand.



What do you think ?



David.

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David.Lehman

Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 265
Location: "Lovely" Fresno CA

Posted: Tue Dec 19, 2006 9:56 am Post subject: Left/Right handedness V's control stick and knobs switching

David...

  

 I'm a lefty, but it's never been a problem either way... I flew my Luscombes with my right hand on the stick and my Cubs, Mooney Mite, BT-13s, AT-6, B1-RD, Kolb, etc. with the left...  You just seem to adapt to whatever configuration you're in... 

  

 DVD

  

 do not archive



 

 On 12/19/06, David Lucas <d_a_lucas(at)hotmail.com (d_a_lucas(at)hotmail.com)> wrote: [quote]--> Kolb-List message posted by: "David Lucas" <d_a_lucas(at)hotmail.com  (d_a_lucas(at)hotmail.com)>



My curiosity gets the better of me.  I've been flying profesionally for a long time. Initially as a copilot and then later as Captain. In my copilot days in the Right Seat, and during manual flight (ie. non autopilot flight) I would have my Right hand on the controls and my Left hand on the throttles. Other switching, radio's or systems etc, is usually done by the other pilot but if necessary I would do it with my Left hand (my Right hand staying on the control column). On moving to the Left seat it all changed of course, with the Left Hand now on the controls and the right hand on the throttles and, as and if necesary, switching the required knob. 



Now I'm Right handed, so the Left seat style is very comfortable for me as the Right hand is more accurate for those fiddly little jobs like selecting a particular frequency, altimeter setting etc. I think 'dexterity' is the right word for it. I even notice my Righthanded copilots leaning across to switch an item with their Right hand (during autopilot flight) rather that using their Left hand even though it would have been closer to the appropriate control. 



I've noticed on the KOLB's and many similar types, especialy single seat or tandum, that both options have been used, sometimes throttle control on the Right and sometimes on the Left (assuming stick in the middle). 



So my question (to satisfy my curiousity) is;  What layout do you prefer given your Left or Right handedness and why, or is it even an issue ?



I think my default position for this Right-hander would be Stick in the Left hand and Throttle handling and other switches etc done with the Right Hand. 



What do you think ?



David.



[b]

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Richard Pike

Joined: 09 Jan 2006
Posts: 1671
Location: Blountville, Tennessee

Posted: Tue Dec 19, 2006 10:12 am Post subject: Left/Right handedness V's control stick and knobs switching

Unless you have an awful lot of "stuff" in your airplane, probably not an 

issue. I have a transponder, mode C, 720 radio, GPS, lights, strobes, the 

usual stuff, and mostly it is a non-issue.  Throttle is by the left hand, 

stick at the right, but if it was reversed, mostly I "reach out and touch" 

that stuff so seldom it doesn't matter.

Here's my layout, not pretty, but functional.

http://www.bcchapel.org/pages/0003/pg4.htm

Richard Pike

MKIII N420P (420ldPoops)



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Richard Pike
Kolb MKIII N420P (420ldPoops)
Kingsport, TN 3TN0

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