I agree with Homebrewer, it would be easy to replace it. That would make an interestion project. Enough to make people look at you funny.

Question :
Trainer switch... Why can't they use a toggle switch?

Answer :

Some do some don't... The trick is to pick a radio brand and model that has whichever one you personnally prefer!!!!

When I was learning to fly last year, my instructor also mentioned that not only was the button switch on my Futaba 4-channel radio uncomfortable to hold down, but the pad of his thumb would get an indent just deep enough so the button wouldn't stay down very easily. I took a small piece of flat scrap ABS plastic that I had laying around and made it the right size and shape to fit over the button and attach to the transmitter. I used the small phillips screw that is in the upper left corner by the rudder/throttle stick to attach it to the radio. Then all he had to do was apply pressure to the flat plastic over the button to hold it down...

My only question, why are you still on a buddy box? You gotta cut the cord someday. Get out there and do it. If he serves no purpose but to hold the button, you don't need him. An instructor that just stands there and holds the button deserves a sore finger.

Flyboy,
I kind of agree with you, but I have several students at a stage right now that if they just fly around in a box pattern, I don't have to do anything for them. Once in a while I verbally coach them though a recovery, but that's it. But they can't take off or land yet, and if something does go wrong (about every 2nd or 3rd flight), they still need a save. (btw, they aren't ready to land because while they can fly around, they can't quite put the airplane where it needs to be, which is what we are working on. It's one thing to fly around when if you are left or right 100' it doesn't hurt anything, and quite another to hit a fairly small runway )

On the other hand, there is a guy at my field who just may be an indefinate student. I was talking to another instrutor who's known this student for a while. The instructor said something to the effect of "The other instructors don't like flying with <student>, but I love it. With the other students, you get board, and your hand gets cramped, with <student> he holds your attention. You get the rush of a save several times, from some of the most amazing positions. And your hand never gets sore on the trainer switch either." Anyway, I've flown with this student a few times now, and he's a really nice guy, but progress is slow, and he does keep me on my toes, that's for sure.

Montague

I agree, there are times when a student isn't quite ready, but this guy said he takes off, lands and flys the whole flight. If he can do that, the instructor should be letting go of the button and making the plane do strange things at weird times to make sure the kid can get it out, then cut him loose. No need to stand there and watch the kid fly all the time.

Have to agree Bob I was just handed my first student at out field, he was handed to me from another (frustrated) instructor I gave him a 5 min ground instruction and told him I was only going to give him 3 instruction in the air (Gentle on the sticks,pull a little up ,and Stick toward the down wing) he went into several death dives and spirals and 99% of the time he got himself out. I even allowed him to do rolls and loops on second flight I did this to show him what a heavy hand on the stick will do!!!!

In just 6 flights he is now under vary good control of the model and his last flight he shot about 15 low Leval landings approaches, he making vary nice progress.

My Approach so far to the Student has been Keep It Calm, Keep it SIMPLE and allow them plenty of STICK TIME (let them get out of their mistakes) STICK TIME IS THE ONLY REAL TEACHER.

My job in all this was Keep it safe and in one piece. I like it when my job is simple as well.

PS: Our club will allow this relaxed training style because students have the total air space when thay are up, and on the first few flights thay USE it ALL I might add.

Chhecklst

Who can last 3-4 hours with that silly button? Cheat with a pop-sicle stick. I like the PVC idea.

Some manufacturers use them Futaba's 6x uses a button, Their 8u uses a spring toggle switch. You can take the button off and put on a toggle if you want, it does the same thing.

Flyboy,
OH, I missed that part. If the student is doing all the takeoffs, landings, etc, then yes, get them familiar with emergency procedures and cut that cord.

I gotta say, though, the 15min of holding the trainer switch after takeoff and before landing does take a toll .

Checklst,
Yeah, I agree with that. There are some instructors at my field who take over very quickly. I've taken to warning my students that I won't take over unless I think I have no choice, I expect them to keep flying and trying to save it, no matter what is going on, until I decide it's in danger of getting broken, hurting someone, or going over a no-fly zone (too far, I'm laxish with some of the boundries early on (don't tell anyone that ))

That would be fine if the instructor got to choose the radio - but he doesn't - he ends up using whatever the student bought.

A couple more thing that makes those tiny buttons a pain in the butt include:

(a) the fact that the button travel is so small - if it had a bit more travel then it would be clearer to a numb-finger whether the button is up or down, and you wouldn't have to press so hard just to be sure.

(b) the way that the button position on some radios coincides with a "ridge" that's part of the radio-case styling. Sometimes (especially after a several minutes on & off the button with the N-th student of the day), the ridge and the button get to feel the same - I think I'm pressing that POS button and instead I'm just pressing part of the case.

Whoever came up with the idea of using a teeny little button like this instead of the old momentary switches, should be taken out & shot, hung, drawn & quartered, and then asked to leave the country.

Gordon

just replace the switch.