Finger position on the controller
 

I noticed different people have various ways of holding their controllers, and more importantly, positioning their fingers on the controller.

The instructor I have uses his thumbs only on top of each stick and in fact, my for my first lesson he had me place my thumbs over his to get an idea of how much movement was needed in order to move the airplane in it's different directions.

My question is this, and I hope this isn't a stupid question. I use the thumb of my left hand for the throttle/rudder controller, but find it more comfortable and have been getting into a habit using my thumb and first finger on my right hand to sort of 'grip' the right stick.

Is this a bad idea or doesn't it matter? Is there a correct way to position the controller, ie with a strap and at 45 degrees for example, and the finger positions on the sticks?

Thanks in advance.

RE: Finger position on the controller
 

I hold my fingers exactly the same as you do - and have done so for over 40 years. Use what you're comfortable with.

On another note - This is not a video game. Try getting used to calling it a "Transmitter", not a "Controller" :D

RE: Finger position on the controller
 

Its RC not RT... ;)

Sorry couldn't resist. :D

I use my thumbs only because thats how I learned a long time ago but I wish I would of learned with a finger and a thumb on each stick for better control.

RE: Finger position on the controller
 

You're right - I'm so used to using the simulator as I don't yet have a radio or airplane, that I use the term controller because that's what I saw on the box when I was typing in my post. Futaba has it labeled 'Interlink Elite Controller'. I see in the instruction manual for one of their real radios they call it a radio 'control' system. I'll call it a radio or transmitter from now on.

In any event, I'm glad I'm not the only one gripping the controller that way. It's good to know an experienced rc flyer is doing the same thing, as I don't want to get into any bad habits.

Thank you!

RE: Finger position on the controller
 

Ah, but YOU are the controller. You control the plane with a transmitter. ;)

RE: Finger position on the controller
 

Holding the stick between thumb and forefinger is a very GOOD habit.

RE: Finger position on the controller
 

Really, what ever is most comfortable to you will work. Myself, I use thumbs only. Many will say that for the best control you need to use forefinger and thumb, and that is what the pros use. But if you look at QuiQue Somenzini you'll see that he uses his thumbs only. So that comes back to what you feel most comfortable with. When teaching my students I teach them both and let them decide what they are going to use.

Ken

RE: Finger position on the controller
 

I also use the modified thumb and fore-finger method, a bit of both on the throttle, but mostly thumb, but push and pull on the throttle and rudder rather than sort of gimble it around with my thumb.

On the elevator and aileron, though, it's pinched between my thumb and forefinger and held that way. I seem to get the best control that way. My instructor wanted me to use the pinch method for both, but I just could not get comfortable with that method on the throttle, but it seems very natural for the right stick.

CGr.

RE: Finger position on the controller
 

A pattern flyer showed me the method that I still use. Using the neck strap and lay the transmitter down flat. Pinch both sticks between the thumbs and first fingers. Lay the next finger down across the transmiter in front of the first row of switches, and the next finger in between the first and second row of switches. Then lay the last fingers behind the second row of switches. That way once you get to know your transmitter, you will never have to look down at it to find the switch, and you can toggle it either way.

RE: Finger position on the controller
 

I've read that three times, and still can't picture what your transmitter looks like.

However, this discussion reminds me of all the ways people play a guitar. Fret with one hand, strum with thumb. Or a pick. Or finger pick. Or hammer on the neck with fingers from both hands. Thought I'd seen it all until I looked up Tommy Emmanuel on You Tube, playing Classical Gas. (Awesome!)

RE: Finger position on the controller
 

|'ve fought with this since I started a couple years back. I don't use a neck strap and maybe this is part of my problem. If you grasp the TX and look at the movement your sticks make when you move your thumb, the movements are likely not naturally N E S W but more likely W would WxSW and E would be ExNE. This drives me nuts on final making my left turn ans the plane ballons up on me.

I think the natural movement of a thumb/forefinger grasp would track more along the lines of N E S W.

One other thing that comes into play is the center spring. I've got three transmitters in front of me, My 9CAP supper, a 9CAP, and a Conquest 6 chan. THe Conquest and the 9CAPS are very close on spring tension on the sticks, but the 9CAP is very soft. I haven't flown this TX yet, so I need to see if some stronger springs would be in order. My feeling is that if the springs have more tension, it will be easier to get straigt movement as you will feel the slight resistance when you stray off center.

This is an interesting topic, one I wish I had stumbled across eariler in the game. Changing methods now doesn't seem to work. Old dogs and new tricks.

Don

RE: Finger position on the controller
 

Pads of my thumbs. Though when I flew mainly gliders I was a "finger & thumb pinch" pilot. That was with two channels. Now I have a lot more sliders, trims, buttons and switches to worry about and it's easier to keep my thumbs on the sticks if I fly with them.

RE: Finger position on the controller
 

I'm very thankful there are those sharp grippies at the top of my sticks; I'm thumbs all the way AND I LIKE IT. :)

RE: Finger position on the controller
 

yeah, I think those shape thingie on top are designed for grips.
You can also riase them too

Good lord..don't even mention guitars to me..lol
Even thou the phrygian domiant and the spanish gypsy has the same intervals..one of them is a scale and the other is a mode.
And being left hand...I play the darn thing right handed of course.:)

The problems I had making a transition from a controller to TX was..I used to flick the sticks.
So I was trained to never take my fingers off of the sticks. Excluding trimming of course.

The other problem I have with a TX is....body english..lol
On evasive manuver, I tend to bring the TX up to my chese..as if I'm making out with it.lol

I had to do the piching thing when making a transition to a heil. Very, very uncomforatable for me.
The only way for me to achive that is to use a TX tray..becuase I move the TX around too much

RE: Finger position on the controller
 

I use thumbs only. Everyone has a different style. 3D guys like to use their thumb and forefinger. I basically just sport fly now but Ill see what happens when I get the sukhoi up in the air and try to hover...[:@] should be fun

RE: Finger position on the controller
 

I wonder what Futaba or JR recommends.

RE: Finger position on the controller
 

Been flying forty years and the most precise pilots I see nearly always fly holding both sticks between thumb and forefinger. BUT YOU MUST USE EITHER A NECKSTRAP OR BETTER STILL A TRAY.

Hooligan 3D pilots mostly use thumbs on the end of sticks. [Me included]

RE: Finger position on the controller
 

When I'm teaching, I have the student try both ways and let them decide which is best for them. Myself, I use both but mostly just the thumb because when I started teaching we didn't use buddy boxes as they do now ( telling my age ). By using the thumb method I could stuff the transmitter into my side, fly with just the right stick, and show a student something with my left hand . Worked good for me and I've just stuck with it. Everyone to their own !! ENJOY !!! RED

RE: Finger position on the controller
 

I started with thumbs only until I started getting heavier into helicopters. I found the heli much easier to make the minute movements needed with some assistance from my forefingers. I put my thumbs directly on top of the sticks with my forefingers guiding from the front. Sort of a hybrid between thumbs and pinch. I found that since I started holding my sticks this way my airplane control seems to be tighter.

RE: Finger position on the controller
 

I've always flown thumb on top of the stick, with a finger on the side

My dad however, he just has thumbs on top of the sticks, i've tried this and it feels just plain wrong :D


Seen a few variation too, but everyone seems quite happy what ever they do, and it seems to work just fine for them so i wouldn't worry :)

RE: Finger position on the controller
 

I believe you are spot on with this assessment. I also think this is why Right-handed individuals find it easier, in general, to make a left-handed pattern to final approach. The movement of the thumb to the NW quadrant on the gimble is a more natural movement. We have one individual in our club who's been flying for years and never makes a right hand approach to final. He always crosses the center line at the approach end and begins a 270 degree left hand turn to landing. I believe that Lefties on Mode 1(?) suffer the same predicament only in the other direction.

I almost forgot to mention, I'm a thumb flyer:D.

RE: Finger position on the controller
 

I'm a " pincher " myself..

RE: Finger position on the controller
 

Can anyone suggest a good strap to use or is one as good as the other?

RE: Finger position on the controller
 

I recently started using a strap and I was using the one that came with my Futaba 6EXA, but it's narrow width was uncomfortable so I bought the wider Futaba strap (orange). It's better, but I might try to find something even better, or I've even thought about those fake fur things that people slide over their seatbelts.

RE: Finger position on the controller
 

You can buy straps from Tower, Horizon, or the radio manufacturers but IMHO the prices are too high. Here's what I did. Go to a music store in your town that sells musical instruments. Look at saxophone straps. They are usually cheaper and better straps. You can also get them with very nice neck cushions as well!!! The strap I use cost all of $2.99, much better than the $9.99 that Tower wanted for one!!

Ken

RE: Finger position on the controller
 

I never thought of that. What a great idea. Thanks Ken.