The cockpits in the CJ-6A are actually quite spacious. I felt quite comfortable even with the parachute on. The controls are laid out in very standard format. Brian has relabeled the controls in the front with English, but the back cockpit still carries the original Chinese symbols. Do you know what the symbol for throttle is in Chinese? I didn't think so. But I do now - its kind of this tree-like looking thing with maybe a bird or something in it... Okay, maybe I don't really know.
Front Cockpit of the CJ-6A
Note the "motorcycle brake" lever on the left side of the control stick. Yup, that's how you stop a CJ-6A. The rudder peddles control the amount of braking applied to the left or right brake, but there are no brake pedals as such.
The visibility over the nose is good. In the landing configuration with full, split flaps applied, the visibility is actually excellent - even from the back seat.
Visibility Over the Nose is Quite Good
Well sort of. Compared to my RV-4's panel, anyway! Many of the instruments are original and readout in Celsius. Hum, let's see was that "double it and add 30" or multiply by 1.8 and add 30"? Oh well, at least it doesn't read out in Chinese... Note the 4" black hand wheel on the left side of the cockpit. That's the trim tab. There's one in the back seat too. Trim response was surprisingly positive and precise. Have a close look at that original-equipment artificial horizontal... Yup, the ground is on the top and the sky is on the bottom. Maybe for Australian pilots that fly "down-under"... It works basically the same as US units but in reverse due to simple internal mechanics.
The CJ-6A's Panel