When I fly all the switches on my transmitter are 'away' from me. That generally means all controls are in rate 1, normal flying, and gear down. I use flight modes, so rate 2 generally means more travel on all surfaces, and rate 3 even more travel and/or special function, like landing setup or 3d setup, etc. the flight modes are on one three position switch. Landing gear, upper left corner away is gear down, up, or toward me, is gear up. It's all habit over the years. All switches in one fixed position on takeoff is the key.