Piloting from the right seat

[steelhead37]

I was just wondering if any other kitfox pilot's fly from the right seat. I like the idea of having my right hand on the stick and my left on the throttle. Any thoughts about problems? Any info or pics would be cool.

Thanks,
Eric

Building/covering
7SS

[N981MS]

Had same thought but set mine up conventionally with pilot on left. I have flown it from right also. There is absolutely no problem with transitioning. In a Cessna you fly with the left and throttle with the right. Just not a stick. The controls become second nature pretty much instantly.

If you ever think you might possibly sell it, definitely set it up conventionally. If you want a conversation piece do it the other way. Some have done it pilot on right and like it but its not for me.

[kitfoxnick]

I've never had a problem going from left to right. Such as a cub or decathlon then back to the Kitfox.

[Dave S]

I fly our S7 out of either seat although I have more time in the left seat. I figured I had to do that anyway during Phase I testing since the aircraft has dual controls and the requirement is to test everything anyway. I have brakes on both sides & Throttle is in the center. As far as the flight instruments are concerned - they are centered on the left side but it is an easy glance across the panel plus we all fly VFR primarily by attitude reference anyway (Right?)

As far as transitioning from one side to the other - A person's hands are opposite on the throttle & stick for the right side - a person's fine touch will not be as good at first IMHO because opposite hands, which are not accustomed to it, are used. The site picture is a little different but the big stuff is the same. I wouldn't recommend going out and flying right seat the first time on a day the birds are walking because of the wind. Can't comment on a tailwheel aircraft as ours is a nosewheel.

Sincerely,

Dave S
KF 7 Trigear
912ULS WArp Drive

[SkySteve]

My flying buddy flies a Bearhawk (side by side seating). Last year we flew together quite a bit, with two planes, and one plane, both in my Kitfix and both in his Bearhawk. I've got about 20 hours flying his Bearhawk from the right seat. It wasn't much of a problem getting used to it.

[t j]

I have flown a cub a couple times. Throttle in left hand and stick in the right was easy enough as long as I had time to think about each maneuver. The cub reacts slower to control inputs than Kitfox does so I thought.."This is easy to switch over to".

Until......I tried a stall with full flaps. As soon as I retracted the flaps the nose pitched down...Kitfox pitches up when flaps are retracted you know...that surprised me and without time to think about what to do my throttle hand and stick hand stall recovery mussle memory took over resulting in some very impressive pilot induced oscillation.

Just beware it may seem easy at first but the conversion takes a few hours doing maneuvers with an instructor to bail you out.