Hi Cdallas2

I used thumbs when I first started to fly... mainly because I had a death grip on the transmitter!!!!

I think that it is normal to start out this way because of several reasons. At the start of training, neck straps are seldom used with or without buddy box systems. It's not anyones fault but unless you get someone very knowledgeable about "holding" the transmitter, most if not all people naturally hold the transmitter with their palms and this leaves only the thumbs available for control. It's understandable.

Using a supporting device (neck strap or TX tray) allows one to bring the palms up beside the TX and freely allows you to place thumb & index finger on the sticks.

What I did was try a tray (as someone had one for sale cheap... ya right RC & cheap in the same sentence) anyway I digress.... It sucked at first as I did not feel very comfortable but you know what... my control of the aircraft was better. This was caused by the lack of "sweeping motion" created by the thumb method. I'll try and explain as best I can... Grab your TX and follow along with this.. it can't hurt. Using the thumb method, input a full aileron movement from side to side. The thumb has a tendency to not bend smoothly across the "plane" for elevator and an uncommanded input for elevator is unintentionally put in (usually an "up" input of full left aileron). This wreaks havoc on the airplane and the maneuver is poorly flown. Not because the airplane is bad but because the pilot inadvertently put elevator into a rolling maneuver. This is one of the reasons that a lot of people go to very heavy spring settings or install stiff versions of aftermarket springs.

When I went to the tray I found that these unintentional inputs disappeared and my flying improved considerably. I do use max tension so that "effort" is required for "input".

If you go to a neck strap, like the majority of people, and start to use thumb/index inputs you will find it takes a bit of getting used to but your flying ability will, I believe, be able to advance farther & more quickly in the long run.

I can use any method but I prefer a tray for "precision". Proof is in the pudding as they say so I look at what the top F3A guy in the world uses... CPLR = Tray.

Neck strap or tray.... thumbs or thumb index.... ultimately it's your choice.

Hope this doesn't muddy the waters....