Always wondered why.....Why does the pilot sit on the right side in a helo as opposed to the left side like planes?-=MAB=-

Igor (Ivan) Sikorsky, who did not invent the helicopter, nor fly the first one, always flew his helos from the left seat.The story is supposed to be that those he taught learned to fly from the right seat, since Sikorsky stayed in the left seat when instructing. And from there on, most helo pilots fly from the right seat.Don't know how true this is, (or even if John will leave this post here in this forum!)Best regards.Luis

(....or even if John will leave this post here in this forum!)"I don't have any say in the matter any more.... :)

One reason:In a helicopter the radios and other controls are usually in the center console, located where it is easier to operate them with your left hand, which you can take off the collective, whereas your right hand is on the cyclic (which you don't ever want to let go of while in flight). If you sit in the right seat, your left hand can reach the center console and the panel more easily.Regards,WayneMetro One / NMH01Metro Helicopters VAwww.metrohelo.org

Your close.JimCYWG

A lot of what Wayne said makes sense. Also maybe because more people are right handed it makes it easier? I know on aircraft carriers the helos will mostly approach from the port side of the ship (occasionally along the centerline) so the pilot sitting on the right would tend to have a better view :)Bud

For load carrying and externally-slung cargo it's easier for the pilot to look our witout having to lean over the collectiveThe MD-series still have PIC on the left, as do most Russian helo's so it's far from a rule, just like `left hand drive` in GA! Allcott