Riding in the copilot’s seat is a treat, but this seat requires a bit more attention to safety than a spot on the benches in the back of the plane. Here are a few tips on right seat safety from air boss Rabbitt Staib:
- No helmets in your lap–they restrict movement of the yoke.
- Don’t touch any aircraft controls at any time.
- Stay low when climbing into and out of the cockpit.
- Don’t lean on the yoke.
- If your helmet’s on your head, remember to duck lower when getting in or out of the cockpit to avoid ceiling-mounted controls.
- When seated in the right seat, be aware of the prop overspeed switch by your left knee and don’t touch that either.
- Rolling down the window is fine, but put it back up before you exit.
- Feel free to talk to the pilot, but remember that the radio takes precedence–don’t distract the pilot when he’s talking to air traffic control or manifest.
- In case of emergency, buckle in unless the pilot instructs you to exit.
- Whenever possible, put a smaller skydiver in the right seat (less chance of touching things they shouldn’t).
- Move out of the cockpit into the back before jump run, so you’re not distracting the pilot on jump run.