Interesting that mainly "sidestick" fliers have loaded up their widget with so many gadget controls - At least you can move your feet around ;-)    Of course, this opens the question of "Are there any left handers flying side stick?"

 

There seem to be few, if any, opinions from folks with a real "stick" or a small enough cockpit to have everything within reach. 

 

Side stick users probably tend to rest their flying hand (left) on or near the stick when Otto is controlling the flight - so all the switches are easy to reach.  They are also right handed, so notes can be scribbled without moving the left hand.  They also might have to lean forward to push panel switches - not a problem in the very personal 235/320/360 Lancair aircraft. 

 

Every Aircraft model (and even certain differences within the model) has unique "operational" requirements.  For example, I set aileron trim once per flight because my automatic "keep the header tank full" system feeds evenly from both wings, thus no flight related lateral imbalance.  The rudder needs only two trim settings, full right for takeoff, climb and pattern, full left for best power cruise (my feet take care of the other minor adjustments).  Using the old fashioned walnut wheel below my throttle hand, pitch trim is adjusted to take the pressure off the stick hand, as needed.

 

But, during the majority of the flight (with or without Otto in control), my right hand (after taking care of the warp-speed engine parameters) spends most of its time fooling around with radios and navigation gear - Oh, what I would pay for a handheld mouse (or ball) pointer, thumb controlled with "do it" and "drag" buttons, especially useful in turbulence.  Meanwhile, my left hand is sometimes occupied with the stick, picking my nose, pushing the "chat" button or writing "Chattanooga approach on 123.45."

 

In any event, today I installed a second PTT on the panel within reach of my right index finger, if my hand is located on the throttle - just like many military fighters (PTT on power lever t-handle).  This is pretty close to the radio tuning knobs and it frees my left hand to write whilst talking to ATC and doesn't disturb the delicately balanced stick.

 

To each his own, but my A/P is turned off by the same button on the panel that turns it on - a simple binary function within instantaneous reach of any hand within my wee cockpit.

 

 

PS: In case you haven't guessed yet, I am left biased ambidextrous - a 10% member of the general population and I want equal rights.