From Right to Left: How Airbus Pilots Adapt to the Sidestick When Promoted to Captain

 One of the most distinctive features of Airbus aircraft is the sidestick. Unlike traditional yokes, Airbus sidesticks are mounted on the side console- right-hand for the First Officer and left-hand for the Captain.

Once an FO is promoted to Captain, they don't just switch seats and responsibilities, they also switch hands. One may think that years of muscle memory and training dissipate. An obvious question arises: how difficult is it for them to transition from right-hand to left-hand? In this article we will scrutinise exactly that.

Input, Not Muscle Memory

Airbus sidesticks don't work the way the prevalence of people may think they do. Unlike yokes, they don't work like steering wheels: instead, they function more like requests. Instead of moving the aircraft yourself, directly through sidestick movement, you're giving instructions to the flight control computers on the aircraft, which handle the details and optimisations of the surface movement.

If you push the sidestick slightly, the aircraft starts pitching at a set rate. If you hold it, the aircraft continues pitching at a constant rate. If you let go, the aircraft stabilises itself.
Since the aircraft reacts to the command instead of the exact movement of your hand, flying doesn't depend heavily on muscle memory.

Simulator Training

Pilots undergo intense and extensive training before promotion to the left seat. This primarily includes simulator sessions, where the aircraft is flown entirely with the left hand. Scenarios include:

• Standard flights
• Engine failures after V1
• Go arounds and rejected takeoffs/landings
• Abnormal and emergency situations

Does Handedness Matter?

Surprisingly, a pilot's handedness isn't too pertinent in their flying of Airbus aircraft. 

Handedness matters when force applied and control positions matters, when small inaccuracies directly affect the operation of the aircraft. This holds true when yokes are used. To the contrary, on Airbus aircraft, the sidestick doesn't directly move control surfaces. Rather, it sends electrical signals inducing the intent of the pilot.

The Bigger Conundrum

When asked what the most difficult or arduous aspect of the transition to Captain is, a diminutive minority of pilots would suggest the hand switch. Instead, they would include:

• Cognitive load
• Responsibility
• Decision-making authority
• Threat management
• Contingency planning

Conclusion

In conclusion, switching hands may seem like an intimidating task at face value, but in practice, it's a minor adaptation in a highly structured and organised training environment.