Radio ID

[facthunter]

Yeah spacey just imagine how long any gov't would survive springing something like that during covid. The long term advantage is  Cheaper vehicles. Sometimes the Conversion is Inferior. Some vehicles have the engine off centre. Nev

[Garfly]

 

Rokket, in practice, the aircraft ID part of VHF comms doesn't take up that much airtime. In talking to ATC, it's the reading back of all crucial bits of clearances/ instructions that takes time.  And in the case of CTAF (pilot to pilot) chat, it's trying to clarify position and intentions - generally self separating - that fills up the frequency.  And actually, in CTAFs, I reckon it can be useful for the ID to be said again at the end, along with the location.  (It can obviate a heap of "Say again call sign" type calls.)  Also, at ATC's discretion, call signs can be shortened to handles that take a second to say.  For example, in this short vid, soon after "Sportstar 9696" has established contact with Tamworth tower his call sign is cut  to "ninety-six, ninety-six". 

 

But yeah it's a long-in-the-tooth, legacy system which will, I reckon, be overhauled by new ways and means before it's seen as practical to reform it.

 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXukpQlRhnM&t=31s

 

 

 

Edited December 20 by Garfly

[Deano747]

4 hours ago, facthunter said:

The PIC sits in the lefthand seat of an aeroplane.

Only if the POH requires it.

B707 was either seat .......

On a lot of checks it was in a jump seat - or downstairs in First class ........ 

With the RAF it was often not a Pilot in Command - Nav, EWO, TacO, Loadmaster on 1 occasion ........

Edited December 20 by Deano747

[facthunter]

It was a GENERAL statement.  Helicopters can be an exception too.   I've met Pilots who don't do well in a LHD car in their  proper environment. and some who get their hands mixed up when they change seats. . Nev

[onetrack]

You can blame Henry Ford for the LHD car and truck operation decision. Taken without general consultation, and done with dictator-level Henry Ford authority. All U.S. vehicles were RHD prior to 1912.

Your control abilities all go back to training. Most of us are right-handed, and favour that hand.

Most Americans say, "I could never change gears with my left hand!" - but it only takes a little training to cope with changes, and develop the dexterity skills in the appropriate hand. I've driven and am competent in the operation of many dozens of  construction machines, and they vary considerably in controls layout, even in direction of throttle operation.

My Dad was a signwriter and painter and quite a good artist. He could start a big drawing or painting or hand-written sign with his right hand, and swap to his left hand with ease, and lose nothing by way of artistic skill. I'm sure he was born left-handed, but the schools in the U.K. in the era he was raised (very early 20th century) beat left-handedness out of kids.

 

[facthunter]

It had to be one or the other and innovators are leaders not followers. I'm definitely Right handed No way could I paint a picture or do a drawing with my left hand but never had an issue with going left to right seat in Planes or changing hands  for the throttles or starting engines from either side. I guess most people are different to a certain degree. IF you HAD to I think you'd try hard and have some success. I never thought it would happen, but I do type with both hands.    Nev

[Deano747]

Friend races formula Porsche - the favoured shell to build a racer with is one with a sunroof (stronger structure in the side & roof area) and LHD.

Right handed people are fractionally quicker with gearshifts using the dominant hand.

 

Muscle memory plays a part as well - I used my right hand on the joystick for 15 years in the military and another 12 in the RHS of commercial airplanes - quite a switch moving across with not just hands and arms but also eyes. Had to search for stuff instead of glancing for some time

[sfGnome]

First time I had to drive on the ‘wrong’ side of the road, I kept trying to change gears with the door handle. It’s surprising, though, how quickly you switch.

[facthunter]

When you have switched, the TEST comes at Divided Road intersections. Motorbikes have the most variations with gear change location and Patterns  With planes instructors have to be the most versatile. You might fly 6 different planes in a day and from whatever seat required.. They ALSO have to be ready for students doing weird things without notice. 3 cheers for GOOD Instructors.  Nev