Salinas Hawk, I started with .60 sized powered airplanes, made the change to Mode One for the reasons I have stated previously. Then I moved to a place where the help available was limited and I had an interest change,to flying sailplanes. Sailplanes are very docile and easy to learn to fly. When I switched to sailplanes, I maybe could have switched back to Mode Two without much trouble. However, I had found that Mode One seemed natural to me and had the benefit when launching sailplanes with a high start, that I could hold in some up elevator with my left thumb while my right hand was busy launching the sailplane. So I stayed with Mode One. When I became interested in powered planes again, a couple year later, I had become friends with someone in town who had also been a member of the club I had been in and was proficient at Mode One and helped me through a few transition flights.

You've gotten some very good advice here. Sorry to say; but, yes this is a controversial subject. I am a proponent of choice! I fly Mode One and feel it has some benefits which R/Cers overlook. When people get involved in this hobby, most don't even know there are stick configuration choices! Mode Two so dominates the market now here in the U.S., that when they hear of; or, see a different mode, they tend to take offense to it! I've literally been asked:"Why on EARTH, would you fly that way?" So, quite honestly I've grown weary of the fight and explaining the story of why Mode One exists and why I fly that way! Still, I am proud of the fact this is how I fly!