Thumbs or thumb/fingers on the sticks
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
My Feedback: (11)
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Greensboro, NC
Posts: 819
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thumbs or thumb/fingers on the sticks
Do you fly with just your thumbs, or do you use thumbs and fingers? If you made the switch from just thumbs, how hard was the transition? Trying to figure out if I would get more accuracy with using the index finger and thumbs. Any input would be great. Thanks
Steve
"I wonder what happens when I do this???? Ut-Oh! Oh, thats what happens....."
Steve
"I wonder what happens when I do this???? Ut-Oh! Oh, thats what happens....."
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: The Woodlands,
TX
Posts: 2,065
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thumbs
I used thumbs and my index finger for many year until I started to fly helis. I had to go to thumbs only and I find it has made me a better pilot. Last week I was working with a new student who worked with another instructor for several weekends. He was not doing very well. During a flight I noticed he was using thumbs and fingers on the sticks. I told him to fly with only his thumbs and he got much smoother instantly. Just my 2 cents.
Thumbs
Thumbs
#6
Senior Member
My Feedback: (7)
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Lubbock, TX
Posts: 594
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thumbs or thumb/fingers on the sticks
Learned to fly with thumbs only. Began to fly pattern and made the effort to switch to thumb and finger. It was weird for about a month or 2, now hard to fly thumbs only.
The secret for me was to get a transmitter tray so I can concentrate on moving the sticks precisely without being limited by holding the transmitter. Again, took several weeks to get used to but now feel naked wtihout one. The tray also allows me to change dual rates, or flip switches as needed with less hassle.
I find I am still using mostly the thumb for movement of the stick, but the finger helps to steady and add control to the movement.
Still think the best thing is running out of fuel on a consistent basis and finding what works for each of us.
Ed
The secret for me was to get a transmitter tray so I can concentrate on moving the sticks precisely without being limited by holding the transmitter. Again, took several weeks to get used to but now feel naked wtihout one. The tray also allows me to change dual rates, or flip switches as needed with less hassle.
I find I am still using mostly the thumb for movement of the stick, but the finger helps to steady and add control to the movement.
Still think the best thing is running out of fuel on a consistent basis and finding what works for each of us.
Ed
#8
Thumbs to Thumbs and finger
I learned with just thumbs and switched to thumbs and finger when I noticed that my friend (who I learned to fly with) was a much smoother flyer. I switched and am a much smoother flier. He's still better.....
#9
Senior Member
My Feedback: (3)
I'm all thumbs!!!
They work just fine. I find that F3A improved my flying more than any finger arrangement. As I strove to fly more smoothly, I noticed a more conscious connection between brain and thumb tips and aquired as much thumb control as necessary. Now it's just a matter of seeing and learning how to see.
Mark
Mark
#10
Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Vernonia, OR,
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thumbs or thumb/fingers on the sticks
I like thunbs and fingers all what you learned in the beginning as which is bettre for you. Kinda like mode 1 and mode2 both are good
#11
Senior Member
My Feedback: (2)
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: irvine,
CA
Posts: 1,051
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thumbs or thumb/fingers on the sticks
i fly thumb and fingers. a tray is needed for that style, but i think i have more control than just with thumbs.
also a upgrade to longer sticks will improve the control.
but hey whatever works for you, stick with it...
also a upgrade to longer sticks will improve the control.
but hey whatever works for you, stick with it...
#12
Senior Member
My Feedback: (1)
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Hammond,
IN
Posts: 3,262
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thumbs or thumb/fingers on the sticks
Great flyers have been known to use either method, as do poor flyers. With that out of the way, your index finger is a much more precise instrument than your thumb. That's just the way we evolved. I use the pencil method of holding onto the stick. However, I do use my thumb for the remote control on my TV. My wife has been scoring my channel surfing very low lately, so maybe I'll switch over.
#13
Banned
My Feedback: (1)
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: San Jose, CA
Posts: 666
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thumbs or thumb/fingers on the sticks
Originally posted by MarkNovack
... it's just a matter of seeing and learning how to see.
... it's just a matter of seeing and learning how to see.
#15
My Feedback: (2)
Thumbs or thumb/fingers on the sticks
I Fly thumbs and Index finger. It is more awkward but I can more precisely move the stick and not have to move my whole hand just to make an input. As such I think I can make inputs faster that way.
I'll agree that it doesn't feel as comfortable as just thumbs and at times I catch myself just pushing / pulling the sticks with my fingers when I'm lazy. don't know if that's any better or not. I use a strap but I think a tray would be better
I'll agree that it doesn't feel as comfortable as just thumbs and at times I catch myself just pushing / pulling the sticks with my fingers when I'm lazy. don't know if that's any better or not. I use a strap but I think a tray would be better