Right Seat Solo

grjtucson · #1 11-06-2006, 10:25 AM

I'm building an RV-7 and want to solo from either seat, but mostly from the right. Hear are my thoughts/decisions so far:

- dual brakes
- center mount throttle/mixture/prop/flap switch/elev trim switch
- PTT on each stick but nothing else
- center mounted manual aileron trim

For the panel, I'm thinking of dual GRT's, one centered on each seat, with airspeed, altimeter, a Lift Reserve Indicator, and a Tru-Trak ADI Pilot II as backups centered over the radio stack.

I've searched the forums and the web and haven't come up with much. Does anyone have any thoughts, things I should look out for or be concerned with, etc.?

Finally, does anyone know if I can get my right and left sticks swapped so the left is the removable one and the right is fixed, or even better, so they are both removable?

Thanks in advance,

George

arffguy · #2 11-06-2006, 10:43 AM

If I recall--I am not near my plans or sticks at this moment, that the left stick is the fatter one. The right stick is smaller diameter. You could probably purchase another right stick and cut the left one off and slide the new stick into the weldment. If I am correct the part of the weldment at the bottom of the stick is the same diameter tubing on each side.

Several guys have done the right seat thing using steam gauges. I guess the biggest issue is resale value doing that. By leaving all the other controls in the center you should be OK, I would think.

From "the list" today:

F-669-PC RIGHT CONTROL STICK $12.33
WD-611-PC RHT.STICK CNTRL.BASE $59.78
WD-612-PC LEFT CONTROL STICK $62.68

Jamie · #3 11-06-2006, 11:43 AM

If you're going to do a tip-up canopy, per the plans the primary latch mechanism is on the left side. Not really a big deal, just something to be aware of.

jhphillips · #4 11-06-2006, 11:51 AM

I fly my 6A from the right seat - with traditional left seat instruments. Right seat with right hand on stick just seems more comfortable. I only fly VFR and don't spend much time inside looking at gauges. If you're not sure, put a pilot in the left seat and try flying from the right seat. My guess is you won't have much difficulty.
If I were flying IFR I think I'd probably want the instruments in front of me.

WannaBRV · #5 11-06-2006, 12:04 PM

Is there a way to make a left handed throttle quadrant in the left seat and also have a throttle quadrant in the middle? Then you can fly right handed from the left seat. I was curious about this because I like Dan Checkoway's left handed throttle quadrant but I want my pax to be able to control the throttle if need be...

-Blake

DeltaRomeo · #6 11-06-2006, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WannaBRV

Is there a way to make a left handed throttle quadrant in the left seat and also have a throttle quadrant in the middle? Then you can fly right handed from the left seat. I was curious about this because I like Dan Checkoway's left handed throttle quadrant but I want my pax to be able to control the throttle if need be...
-Blake

Hi Blake,

This has been done before. Go to http://www.vansairforce.net/builderm...ottlesetup.htm

Here's a pic from that page:

Best,
Doug

jcoloccia · #7 11-06-2006, 12:17 PM

I was looking into doing this as well. It seems much easier if you have a throttle quadrant in the middle vs. the old push/pull. It seemed very doable but didn't seem worth the weight. I may change my mind one day. What I had in mind was looping the cables from the left side quadrant around behind and just under the panel, and then just attaching them right to the center quadrant. Depending on how tight the bend are, you may get into a situtation where you just have to use pushrods and bellcranks for all or part of the linkage.

If you're push/pull style in the center, then you have to worry about the locks on the vernier for the prop and mixture. Also, I'm not sure how you'd attach the left side without having to design some contraption.

It would be great if someone came up with a simple way of doing this.

airguy · #8 11-06-2006, 01:14 PM

Throttle By Wire - use a servo which pushes/pulls on the cables. You could put dual inputs anywhere you like, and even have a switch to lock out one side or the other. Of course, this leaves you open to electrical or servo failure, not sure how much I like that....

zkvii · #9 11-06-2006, 01:14 PM

Hi,

Another option..... I wanted dual controls for both seats, (I like left hand for throttle and the right for stick

)

The current configuration we have is two quadrants mounted on the vertical chanels (mirror image on the P2 side)

The push-pull cables then go all the way through the firewall from both sides and get connected to the actuators.

Works fine on the ground.....

Carl

az_gila · #10 11-06-2006, 03:10 PM

George.... making both sticks removable is easy... you just need the correct size inserts and make a short internal sleeve to connect them.

The sizes are slightly different, I think I got a slightly larger tube and slit it and compressed it to fit insde the stick. A little welding on the slit and a few rosette welds and it's all done....

Now, should you add a placard "ONE STICK MUST BE IN PLACE FOR FLIGHT"? .....

gil in Tucson