Please let me know (if you are an experienced FFF or 3D pilot) the following before i get too much further...
1. do you fly mode 1 or 2?
2. do you hold the TX poles between thumb and forefinger or thumb on top?

I fly mode 2 with thumb on pitch/rudder, and thumb and forefinger to control cyclic. i can break this habbit, but want to get an idea of what the best are doing?
this would have been good as a poll type question.

Hi Vortexgen,

I am a experienced 3D pilot, my suggestion is hold the sticks how
ever it makes you feel comfortable. the more comfortable you are
the better you will fly. every one of the pros hold there fingers
and hands in different spots, anyway back to your question.

I fly mode 2 and thumb and forefinger's on both sticks....

I'm no 3D wizard but early on I converted to the "pinch" method of using thumb and forefinger. At first it seemed impossible, but I eventually learned and find it much more robust. Maybe it's because I have clumsy fingers, but having two digits on the stick seems to double the resolution.

I've never seen anyone fly mode one, but who am I????

Well i have just recently gotten into the heli scene. I am loving it all the way and my second bird is on the way. Anyway, i have been flying airplanes for a while and always flew with my thumbs only. Well soon as i got into the heli, i found myself using thumb and forefinger. I think this was because i was moving the sticks much more on the heli and felt like i had better control being i was literally holding the sticks instead of just tossing it around with my thumbs. I think with the heli i feel like i need more precision and feel to fly it.

Anyway, the other day i went to fly one of my airplanes again and found that the thumb/forefinger (as i had been using on the heli) did not feel right for the airplane. So it seems as though i have developed a method i prefer for each.

Just my 3 cents.

Graydon,
Most of the "experts" I have seen fly use the pinch method, but also practice the thumbs only method from time to time just to keep dexterity optimal. Some people will argue that it takes more brain power and muscle to use two fingers, but conversely, using only the thumbs decreases accuracy....... I however, look at it this way: If I can drive a car using my feet and hands, and play with the stereo, while talking on my cell phone and eating a sandwich, then I should have no problems using one or two fingers on a transmitter...

whoops, accidentally posted twice... damn servers....