Spritzen,

There are 4 different combinations of how to setup the 4 primary control movements on 4 primary stick movements. These are called the control “modes”.

Mode 1 is aileron and throttle on right stick, rudder and elevator on left. This is the mode you currently have.

Mode 2 is aileron and elevator on the right stick, rudder and throttle on the left. This has become the more common in the USA and is the standard way a new radio is supplied in the USA these days. I don't know how the US market effects availability in your area.

Swap left for right above and you get mode 3 and 4.

Before computer radios, to swap modes all you had to do was swap a spring and ratchet on the gimbals. With computer transmitters there are channel assignment software issues to consider.

Both modes are still widely used. Most people use a particular mode because that is what everyone else in their area is using. I started flying on mode 1. Years later I moved to a new area where everyone flew mode 2 so I converted. I also switched because I started flying full scale, and right stick mode 2 works the same as a full scale control stick.

Both have their plusses and minuses. Basically the central issue is precision of finger movement. When you move a stick along one axis, it is difficult to maintain an exact deflection position of the same stick along the other axis.

For example mode 1 is particularly nice for doing slow rolls. On the right stick set airspeed via power and roll rate via aileron deflection. Then that stick doesn’t move any more and your brain can forget it. Then the left stick is moved in a circle. For a right roll apply L rudder then down elevator then R rudder then up elevator, to keep the nose up as the plane revolves. For this maneuver mode 2 requires coordinating movement of both sticks (fingers) simultaneously. It could be argued that mode 2 is easier for just fun flying. The basic controls for maneuvering in the air are aileron and elevator. For maneuvering on the ground it is rudder and throttle. So right stick for flying and left stick for taxi takeoff and landing roll. Brain only has to think about one stick at a time. But since mode 1 separates these primary movements, it could be argued that mode 1 might be more precise overall.

Of course a really good pilot will use all 4 controls all the time in coordination. This ability depends on practice rather than the choice of mode. Having flown both, for many years each, I see no real advantage in the long run. My general advice is go with mode 2, only because it seems to be the more common these days. But for sure it is easier to go with mode 1 if that is how radios are being supplied and how others are flying in your area. Which ever mode you practice is the one you get good at. This subject will however stir up some old old arguments from the die hard competitors.

Multiflyer