How do you instructors teach your students to control the transmitter?

Do you use the thumbs method (thumbs on top of the control stick) or pinch inbetween the thumbs and fore-finger method? (or for that matter, any other method that you feel is best, and please.. explain why).

Just curious as to your teaching method and what method works best.

I don't actually teach my students to use either method as a preference. I let them use whatever feels best for their situation. Most pattern pilots, though, prefer the pinch between the thumbs and forefinger method.

DS.

ps. I'm sure that there is more than one that will tell me the 'between the cheek and gum' method is best, but this is mainly directed toward non-red-necks... oops, sorry for that..

I usually try to steer my students toward the pinch method. They seem to have better control this way. Just my opinion.-------Revver Bro#164

I am a beginner pilot and started using just thumbs. I have started using thumbs and fingers while flying on the sim and I find i have much greater fine control. The only problem I am finding is that the radio needs to be held flat for me to use thumbs and fingers and it is fine sitting in front of the computer with the radio on my lap. Problem is that when I am standing with the neck strap on the radio is weighted more to the bottom so now I think I need a transmitter tray. Anyone know where to get one for a good price? For myself thumb and fingers give better control.

I show them both methods and let them choose what they like best. They are free to change whenever they like.

i use the pinch method. i feel more in control with the sticks than i did with the thumb method.

I'm a thumber for the planes and the pinch for the helicopters. So I go both ways![sm=lol.gif]

Pinch if they prefer it and have/use a neck strap. Thumbs if they don't.

I fly with thumbs and keep my fingers free for the (seldom used] switches and sliders. Just am used to thumbs is all.

I guess I should have said this in my original post.

I use the pinch method. That's the way I was taught, so I guess I've just stuck with that method. I've tried the thumb method on the sim but don't like the feel of that stub with the points on it sticking into my thumb.

I had a pinched nerve a few years ago that left my forefinger somewhat numb at the very tip. It also has an effect on how my thumb reacts to sharp things like the tips of the transmitter sticks (those crowned sharp points that come on some of them). My thumb seems to be more sensitive to that feel. So, the pinch method seems to be the most comfortable for me.

Keep it coming. I am going to put this information in my training sylabus for new students to read through before and during their training (as well as some of the new people that want to be instructors).

DS.

I fly with both. There's no right way. The most important thing is being comfortable with the method. Also important is adjusting the stick length and tension.

Im still new to Flying,but the first few times I took my plane up I used my thumb to control everything. It seemed that everytime I would place the input on the control like up on the elevator, I would also accidently be placing either right or left on the rudder too. Which caused several crashes. Ive started using my fingertips now and have a whole lot more control over my flight. I still crash sometimes but not as much as I did the first few times.

I fly with my thumbs, but I show my students both methods and let them choose what they feel more comfortable with. It's really a personal choice for each person to choose which one is better for them.

Ken

For me it depends on what specific manuver I am flying, When just flying circles I usually fly thumbs both hands... when flying 3d I usually have thumbs in my left and pinch for the right, when I fly pattern I fly thumbs except for some reason after an inverted exit, then I fly pinch both hands... I also fly tumb in my left hand and pinch in my right for spins... but that is when I don't think about it... when I think about it I just mess things up.

Speaking of stick tension, I usually crank mine up as far as the stock springs will go. Better feedback and less "accidental" deflection. I've seen people add stiffer springs.

I have only flew a few times and my instructor showed got on me about the thumb method. He showed me the pinch method. I noticed a lot more control of the plane with the pinch method. Not as much jerkiness in flying and a lot less correcting needed to be done with the pinch method. I have noticed on the simulator too that I have more control of the plane with the pinch method. I am not adding rudder or ailerons when I shouldn't be. I have noticed more so on the landing the difference in the methods

I use both at the same time.

I pinch the right stick (with my pinky behind the Tx), and I hold the Tx with my left hand which leaves only my thumb for controling the Throttle/Rudder

I actually use the stiffer springs avaliable at Radio South, there is definiatly less accidental deflection, both with thumb and pinch flying.

There is no right way.. just personal preferences. It also depends on wheter or not someone has a pult or neckstrap. Good results can be achieved using both methods.

I do both, but fly with my thumbs mostly. I don't push new pilots into a certain steering method, most of them have already handled the transmitter (as in; holding it and imagining they're flying, some even make brooom brook vroaaar noises doing this ) and for starters the way they handle it by nature is best. They've got enough to learn not to be concerned with the way they handle sticks.

Once you can fly, it's not like having to learn to fly again if you want to switch, so I wouldn't bother troubling studens with it.

As far as the springs go, thats again a personal preference, though I do hear more pattern flyers say they like stiff springs. Right now I'm flying with as little tension as I can get and I like that. I have even been thinking about removing the springs all together..

I use thumbs. Tried pinching and I found it much more difficult. As far as teaching goes (I'm 17 so I dont teach yet), I would let the student use whatever the feel comfortable with.

I also like stiff springs...

i do the same, i also have the springs as loose as they'll go, and the sticks at their longest.

But as to teaching, since theres no right or wrong way, let them do whats comfortable

I personally use the pinch method 95% of the time. It is a lot more precise for helicopters. However, if I fly 3-D airplanes, I'll use the thumb method for quicker response and wider range of movement. I also prefer a very soft feel on the stick springs. I actually don't want to feel a center position on the stick for helicopters. Airplanes doesn't really matter to me, but a harder spring helps keep cross control out..as long as it's not too stiff.

I teach both method of flying on airplanes and helicopter, but let the student make the choice which they use. It is absolutely a personal choice. No right or wrong here!

Rod

Same here. When I felt how comfortable that first converted transmitter was with the H/D springs. I converted all mt transmitters. My loops are actually rounder with the new springs.

I'm a thumber, have been all my life. Pops did it that way, so I learned that way. The one thing that people really think I"m crazy with is my springs. I would take them out if I wanted to mess with the radio, but don't want to bother. I feel that you should be able to get to a point where you and the plane are one and you think and the plane does. With no springs I feel I get more of that. Most of my friends when they fly one of my planes, the first thing they notice is that it's out of trim, and I say really, never noticed, because I ALWAYS fly the plane. Some my think that crazy, but I couldn't care less about the sticks, they are just the means to an end. My brain waves control the aiplane, not the sticks. But yeah I use my thumbs.

I'm with you. I personally fly the pinch, however I provide the student both options and allow him/her to experiment prior to getting into landing pattern practice. They can choose whatever feels good. Nice to see so many that do the same.

I have one OLD RC Manual from around 1985, that makes a big deal of pinch being the most proper method. However even back then the author conceded that thumbs are Ok if the user just must do so. So, guys, some of you are just "OK". Joking of course. Heck, I even have friends that fly thumbs! [sm=omg_smile.gif]

My first radio was a single stick. An 8 channel Heath kit I built. The single stick moves in the standard manner for elevator an aileron, but you rotated the 1 inch diameter top end for rudder. All this was with the right hand. The radio was cradled in the left arm such that the left hand fingers were able to operate the slide switch on the right side of the radio which was the throttle. After about 10 years I lost confidence in my Heath kit radio and purchased two Futaba radios. I was a nervouse wreck making the transition from single to two sticks. I naturally chose the two finger method. Like others here, I believe two fingers gives you better control.

I don't teach them one way or the other. I figure it's up to them to use what they want. I don't care if they use their toes as long as they are learning......