In article ,
wrote:

Well, evidently *I* didn't know, for a mad minute there.

Port and starboard are as useful on planes as on boats. Otherwise you
have to say: on the right, as seen from the pilot's seat, or some such
locution.

otoh - when logging the repair to the left main gear on my airplane
there was no "as seen from the pilot's seat, facing forward" stuff.

--
Bob Noel