Hi, I'm a beginner flyer. I've connected up with a club
in texas and they provide training with a buddy
cord.

The trainer I'm with wants me to grip the
joysticks a certain way, with thumb and forefinger,
putting the middle finger behind the joystick.

I prefer to run the joysticks with thumb on top.

I have the RealFlight simulator and have tried both
ways. I have much more control with thumbs on
top.

Before I push the point with the instructor I wanted
to know if anyone else uses thumbs on top.

You actually get more control the way described; holding it your thumb & two first fingures. But, you need a strap, or a table thingy to hold the Tx still. You'll notice all the pros have a neck strap, and don't actually hold the Tx..

Flying with your thumbs is easier, but the skin on your thumbs is loose, and while you may think you're moving the stick, You're actually moving your thumb bone inside your thumb skin... or that's the theory at least! Not to mention, you are actually holding the Tx..

Learn now, with your thumb and forefingers, as it's harder to re-learn later!

For years I flew with thumbs on top of the sticks. A friend noticed and suggest that I grip the sticks between the thumb and first two fingers. I wondered what difference it would make. After flying that way for a few weeks I found that I had more precise control. This method corrected any over-control tendencies. A neck strap or TX holder is a lot of help too. It may take a bit of "getting used to" but will be better the long run. I don't get the part about the third finger behind the stick but if that's what the instructor wants do it his way. After you solo and are on your own you can do as you please.

I definatly feel that I have much better control when griping the stick between thumb and forefinger and using a tray. I flew for many years with thumbs on top when a friend[expert flier] talked me into trying the grip method and found that after a while it became second nature and found I couldn't fly the other way any more. I now have much better control and am more precise.

To help break the habit of putting the thumb on top of the stick... attach extensions to the sticks so its impossble for your thumb to reach up there. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img] Its as simple as slipping a section of plastic tube or a straw over the stick. About 10 or 15 flights... and the old habit will be essentially gone.