Can a SIC legally sit left seat?
 

I got into an argument yesterday with a POI at a FSDO about whether or not a non-type rated pilot can sit in the left seat during the legs they fly. I have not seen any where in the regulations where a SIC can or cannot sit in the left seat. As a captain, it was very helpful for me to become familiar with the airplane by flying it from the left seat when the guy I was flying with felt comfortable with it.

Do the regulations address this anywhere?

Are you talking part 91/135 or 121 or other?

I am not entirely sure but in part 121 you have to be actually seat qualled and a captain can not sit right seat with out a right seat qualification and vice versa. Ill dig up the regs on those when I get a chance.

135
I got signed off in the simulator for both left and right seat during both SIC and PIC training.

My job as TIC or FIC (third or fourth in command) is to sit in the left seat so the PIC can go take a nap. We 777 FO's are fully typed and trained in both seats. I fly as SIC/TIC/FIC, but can sit in any seat during the flight. The PIC sits in the left for takeoff and landing (company says so), but anyone could since we are all trained and certified to.

I think the answer to your question involes asking more questions. What type of plane? What type of flying? Is it a 2-pilot airplane? What is the companies policy? What does the insurance company say?

Learjet 25/35. 135 Missions. Company wants to sit the pilot flying in the left seat whether or not they are PIC/SIC. Insurance company has no preference. The FAA is trying to change company procedure.

I doesn't matter to me which seat I'm in. The Lear maybe easier from the left. I have thousands in both seats, so I'm comfortable. The FAA loves to change things. We have a new POI and he's trying to change the status quo and make things difficult. Good luck with them.

I'd be interested. I don't believe there is a FAR that says where to sit, but (1) OpSpecs may have something to say on the subject and (2) I understand there are certain aircraft that have limitations (based I think on seat-dependent tasks) that require the PIC and SIC to sit in certain positions.

The seat dependent training issues aren't normally PIC/SIC but what seat you're in. Where it gets strange is if your checklist says the PIC will do something and then it can't be reached from the right seat.