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Feature Article: Why We Sit On The Left
Behind many of the things we do in flying lies a long history.
This often dates well before flying. Have you ever wondered why
left patterns are standard? Before airplanes and cars, men rode
horses. Most people are right handed. As a matter of good practice
weapons were carried on the right side and kept available to the
right hand. Since it was always desirable to keep the right hand
and weapon available, horses were mounted from the left side.
using the left hand for lift by pulling on the saddle horn. To
keep the right hand free from attack on the narrow roads of England
they rode on the left side of the track. This forced an attacker
to cross an open space. This also kept the right hand available
for for attack or defense against oncoming travelers. I have not
yet found the logic for why the Americans drive on the right side.
By happenstance, the military cavalry was the least dogmatic of
the services in all countries. When the military adopted the airplane,
the cavalry was the natural choice for pilot selection. The cavalry
looked upon the airplane as another mode of transportation like
the horse. Best to be mounted from the left as by habit. Early
cavalrymen nee' pilots were even required to wear spurs. Did I
really say the least dogmatic of the services?
You will need to search old film very hard to see an old time
aircraft being mounted from the right by the pilot. I have never
seen such. In fact, most passengers mounted from the left. When
aircraft were designed for side by side seating, the pilot in
command (captain) sat on the left. The preferred pattern direction
was left because that gave the pilot better visibility. By convention
the standard traffic pattern is now to the left.
Last Modified February 2, ©2026 TAGE.COM
