while i've been flying mode 1 for a while, i recently acquired a JR PCM9 single stick controller. today i finally flew it for the first time on my thunder tiger lazy tiger. it has an O.S. 32sx that has been a pillar of reliability so at least i was fairly confident it wouldn't die on me.

so... it was very disorienting. while i've held it at home numerous times (i have kraft single sticks as well as antiques not in use) i wasn't as well prepared for it as i imagined. i thought the rudder using the knob would be even easier than with the sticks but it was difficult to even get the right direction. i turned the wrong time numerous times while taxiing. just isn't as second nature. i've had R/C cars since i was a kid using pistol grip controllers but still it was hard to orient with the knob.

once in the air, it was okay since rudder is used less in the air. but the long throw of the stick was difficult to adjust to initially and i was having a hard time controlling the airplane since it was too numb at the center. i fly with thumbs so it was also difficult to get use to. throttle was also tough since there were some times when i forgot which way was open and which closed. luckily i'm young and my reactions are still pretty good :-)

landing was nerve racking since i knew i get confused with rudder AND throttle. i'd throttle up when i'm suppose to cut the throttle and turn the wrong way on the roll out, once ending up in the dirt.

i offered my friends a chance at the stick and they all declined!!! lol. for some it was the first time they'd ever seen a single stick controller.

all in all, though, it was wonderful. i loved the feeling of the single stick and JR's PCM9 is made so well. i'd recommend avid R/C fans to try it just once just to see what it is like. maybe you'll like it. as for me, it's a nice thing to boast about but other than one or two planes (astro hog and 2 Cubs), the rest will still be using mode 1