Just curious.

I use thumbs on top of the sticks to control the radio. It just felt natural when I picked it up. I assumed everyone did.

However, I've seen a few pics of fliers holding the sticks between their thumb & index finger. I've never tried it.

Just wondering what the consensus is on this, and why you prefer one over the other.

Thanks.

I use the pinch method, thumb and forfinger.
I started with thumb only and did just fine (even though my instructor wanted me to use the pinch method he never pushed it)
It was when I started flying helis that I found using thumb and finger gave me the more precise control I needed to fly a helicopter. I now use it with airplanes as well and my control is much better and more accurate than with thumb only.

I started out with thumbs, and with easy flying planes, I still fly that way, but if I'm flying something tricky, like my combat SPAD or biplane, I go to the pinch method for better control.

I use a transmitter tray which makes the pinch method easier. When the tray holds the transmitter, you can pinch both sticks.

I'm still learning, but I was originally taught to use the pinch method and I like it.

i was told to use the pinch method when i started but i was self taught so i was only told once but i never did bc it didnt feel right so i never have..

I can fly with either thumbs or the pinch method. I teach my students both methods and let them choose what they prefer. As for myself??? I use thumbs. That's how I learned and that's what I'm most comfortable with.

Ken

I'm a pincher. My brother pinches one stick and thumbs the other.

Do whatever is comfortable to YOU.

Thumbs... though my instructor suggested I try thumb and forefinger sometime to see if I like it better. I prefer thumbs.

somgeeek

Pinch but I dont care what you use as long as you can fly. I have my thumb on the top and my other finger on the front of the stick. So I guess I dont pinch the top of the sticks but I still use two fingers.

Pincher myself..

thumb at first, didn't have any problems with planes.
tried out the pinch, but it was uncomfortable without a tray.

Had to pinch when transfered to heli

I just voted and with 50 votes it is a tie!

As for me, I pinch on takeoff and landing but use just thumbs for 'goin crazy'...

thumbs and forefinger much more stable flight and better when in combat i guess

Isn't this question a violation of the terms of service?

:-)

Futaba did a study among 200 experienced pilots, some of which hold it with fingers and the others just thumbs. It was determined that just thumbs will in most cases have a serious lag in response time which in some cases spans up to 0.5 seconds which is a lifetime when you have the ground as enemy. I was also determined that people who fly with thumbs only usually fly ugly planes.

?!?!?!?!?!?!? just cause they use thumbs dont mean...... but its true [not the ugly plane thing :P ] didnt only 60-100 hold thumbs though? i use two cause my instructor told me to do it cause you have better response time

I let my wife

There are many pro pilots that fly thumbs only, [link=http://www.somenzini.com]Quique Somenzini[/link] being one of them. Take a look at the attached picture.

Why would your style of flying determine how you planes look?? I fly thumbs and I'm quite proud of how some of my planes look!

Ken

Thumbs for me! My planes arent ugly

Farr301

How about adding both to the poll? With myself it all depends on what I'm trying to do at the time. Thumbs for all out just throwing the plane around or thumbs & fingers for a little more percision.

I was going to say the same thing!!!

(never mind)

There is so much to learn when starting this hobby that I decided using a tray would help ensure that my hands were always held in the same position, thus adding stability and consistency. I also think that using a thumb and finger together (pinch) is a natural movement made comfortable by having opposable thumbs, that is reinforced by many activities over your life..like using a pencil, holding a fork or knife, etc. I can't think of many fine motor activities that use only the tip of a thumb. So I was better able to make small control surface movements using the pinch approach.

Of course it is possible to learn either way with equal success...but using the pinch was an already learned and reinforced skill and gave me one less new thing to deal with.

Ken, your planes are and will always be some of the finest looking I've seen and Somenzini happens to be a god in my book.