B737 Undifferentiated or Other Model
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 300; Flight Crew Total 13000; Flight Crew Type 3000
Human-Machine Interface
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe
General None Reported / Taken
Human Factors; Aircraft
I have been flying the 737 for over a month now and I discovered a serious safety concern. In my 20 years of flying; the radio control panel has been on the center console for both the Captain and First Officer. While the Captain taxied the aircraft with his/her left hand on the control wheel steering; their right hand is able to select the radios when the First Officer is switching between radio 1 and radio 2. The First Officer can also select the radio in use for the Captain.With the current radio panel setup on the Captain's left side; I am forced to take my hand off the tiller while in a turn to switch the radio panel. This has caused the aircraft to jerk when I release the NWS (nose wheel steering) to select a radio. If any flight attendants are up and about they could get hurt. Now when I have to select a different radio; I stop the aircraft; then I switch the radio. This is a real safety concern and should be addressed.
B737 Captain reports that the communication panels on his aircraft have been moved to the side console from the center pedestal making it difficult to steer the aircraft during taxi and make changes to the radios.