B757-200
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 150; Flight Crew Total 10000; Flight Crew Type 5000
Human-Machine Interface; Situational Awareness
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Maintenance
Flight Crew Became Reoriented; General Maintenance Action
Human Factors
Assigned from Airport Hotel to ferry an aircraft. It has come to my attention that we operated with the Ships Steering Tiller incorrectly installed. Apparently; the aircraft had just came out of heavy maintenance with the handle installed 180 degrees from the normal position.  Although; we carefully performed our preflight and checklist to ensure the aircraft was properly configured we didn't discover this discrepancy.  After the aircraft was secured for flight and under tow; I observed the tiller in an unusual position but rationalized it was because the aircraft was 'under tow.'  This was my first time at this airfield and unfamiliar with the airport environment.  After we got the engines started and received clearance to taxi; I focused on exiting the ramp; taxiing instructions and the route to the active runway.  I didn't look at tiller position and the position of the tiller didn't raise any flags.  Another issue; I did discover the Captain Crotch seat belt was improperly installed (the metal buckle which adjusts the length was backwards).  The seat belt did function normally.  A write up was made.
I was assigned a Reserve trip to Deadhead in order to fly back to ZZZ a B757 that has been in a Heavy 'C' Maintenance check. I was advised today; that the aircraft tiller was installed 180 degrees from its normal position by the maintenance facility. Although a thorough inspection and preflight was conducted; both of us missed the condition of the tiller. After the fact; the Captain mentioned to me that he noticed something unusual with the position of the tiller; but attributed it at the time; to the aircraft being towed. Afterwards; being in a new and unfamiliar airport; the concentration of the Captain and I was in taxiing the airplane safely; and nothing unusual was noticed as far as the tiller or its effectiveness to steer the aircraft.
B757 flight crew is assigned to ferry an aircraft that has just come out of heavy maintenance and does so with no anomalies noted. The crew is later informed that the nose wheel steering tiller was mounted 180 degrees out from the normal position.