(running with scissors) wrote in
om:

From: Anthony Acri )
Subject: Right Seat Flying

Date: 2001-12-11 03:21:43 PST

Does anybody know if there is any regulations about flying from the
right
seat? Would like to flyi from the right seat while taking some
people up
for sightseeing. Have been flying from the right when I have been
doing my
instructors courses.

Thanks

As a question, why would you want to place a passenger in the left
seat? what purpose would it serve ?

There are regulations pertaining to this, and if you are indeed doing
your instructors rating you should have gained a reasonable knowledge
of the FAR's and furthermore have an understaning of CRM.

Please cite the paragraph number of this regulation that pertains to right
seat flying.



as we are all aware, many GA aircraft are equipped with "dual"
controls and instumentation, however, depending on the aircraft the
left seat is configured as the primary control station, with
reduced/limited access from the right seat, limited further if a body
is in that seat, limited even further if it is occupied by a non
pilot.

Which aircraft are you talking about? Most small GA aircraft (skyhawks,
cherokees, arrows, archers, skylanes, centurians...) do not make a
distinction between left and right seat. Some aircraft do say that (the
Katana DA-20), but they are the exception rather than the rule.



so again, what purpose would it serve to position a non pilot in the
left seat and place yourself in the right seat, why would you want to
limit access to full control of the aircraft.

The left seat provides full access to the controls in most small GA
aircraft.


you may be able to find a loophole in the FAR's, renters policy or
insurance requirements to allow you to do this "legally", though even
posing the question indicates a complete failure to understand CRM and
lack of professionalism. if i found one of my pilots acting in this
manner he would never be in one of my cockpits again forthwith.


You don't need a loop hole. It is perfectly legal to fly from the right
seat unless the manufacturer or insurance company specifies differently.
Sounds like you own a flying business, hence your reference to 'my pilots'.
It is your business if you want to set a company policy not to fly solo
from the right seat. But expecting everyone follow your understanding of
CRM displays poorly on your understanding of how the GA world operates.