Sender: <marv@lancaironline.net> (Marvin Kaye)
To: lml
Date: Wed, 05 Jun 2002 10:41:08 -0400
Message-ID: <redirect-1282997@logan.com>
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 originator="Paul Davis <pdavis@pdavis.bmc.com>"
From: "Paul Davis" <pdavis@bmc.com>
Reply-to: "Paul Davis" <pdavis@bmc.com>
Subject: Re: [LML] Re: Left Throttle, Right Stick 
In-Reply-To: Your message of "Tue, 04 Jun 2002 23:11:36 EDT."
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Okay, I think we've about beaten this thing to death.

Unless someone makes the case that I'm actually decreasing safety my
inclination is to add a (simple) second throttle so I can fly with
either hand even during takeoff and landing.  Think of it as more for
my personal comfort rather than a safety of flight issue.

Let me just say that I don't think the right-hand/left-hand thing is
ever a major concern and isn't even a minor concern MOST of the time.
The vast majority of the time it simply doesn't matter.  And there are
times when even I want to be able to fly left handed -- like when 
copying a clearance.

But to say that it makes absolutely no difference is impossible to
support.  The truth is that no one has attempted to systematically
answer the questions of whether, when or how much it matters.  Clearly
I have my own opinions, but like everyone else's, they're just
opinions until and unless someone actually does the research.  If
there were a BIG difference, we wouldn't need a carefully controlled
study; we'd have crashed enough airplanes for the answer to be
obvious.  Clearly that hasn't happened.  But just as clearly no one is
entitled to state categorically that this issue is insignificant, no
matter how much personal experience, personal opinion or anecdotal or
empirical evidence is presented.

For what it's worth, I've written to NASA's Office of Biological and 
Physical Research asking:
  1.  Do they know if the question has already been examined?
  2.  If not, are they interested in pursuing it?
  3.  If neither 1 or 2, can they suggestion a group with the 
      resources to answer the question -- that might be willing?

Anyone here know of such a group?

-------------------
Paul Davis
Lancair Legacy builder
pdavis@bmc.com
Phone 713-918-1550
-------------------
Fata viam invenient (Aeneid)
The Fates will find a way