Synthetic

My Feedback: (18)

I agree....Daytona......great idea....if I do that I don't have to keep telling myself in my mind, "Push, push, push" when inverted......great idea.....

icepilot

Try strapping a pencil to your thumb and write your name - then see how much control you have...
I have never understood how it is possible to fly with thumbs only - just can't imaging how that can give a smooth, flowing control...

So, thumbs and index finger for me!!

Marry XMas, everybody!

Greetings from Norway, Tor

MAX EFFFORT

icepilot, that is funny , i use that same example [writing with your thumb] ,when talking about this subject with guys that are just starting to fly..but in all fairness, i have seen some guys that fly good with thumbs....still a close poll..

MLaCoste

My Feedback: (15)

Double-ditto! Every time I've tried to use both thumb & finger, it just wasn't comfortable. I've actually had students fly T-F, and I tell them to "stop doing that, and fly right!" I guess, based on the above response I'll let them control the sticks however they want......

Synthetic

My Feedback: (18)

I use the thumb/forefinger style and have tried the thumb method just to see what is like. I can do ok with just thumbs and doesn't feel a lot different but I understand that if a person learns using only thumbs it feels very strange to use both. That is why I tell everyone I teach to fly to use the thumb/finger style and then after they have flown that way for awhile then they can try the thumb only method and choose which one they like. The guys I have talked to that fly competition pattern and the TOC type competitions tell me that the thumb and finger method is more precise.....Merry Christmas to all of you fellow pilots......Don

Richard Buescher

I have very bad hand writing..... fortunately I use my thumbs only for flying.
Happy Holidays!

MAX EFFFORT

As previously mentioned , i think everyone can agree the [video game controller] factor has certainly influenced a lot of guys to be thumbers,,,imo,,i believe the poll would have gone to thm&fing by a large margin , if the video game industry had not been such an enormous success...when i try thumbs only ,[ i,m all thumbs ]...sorry had to throw that in.. here is one other little tip that seems to help me > with tx rate switchs right in front of sticks, i usually set them up so low is up and hi is down ,so that when in hi rate [ during wild maneuvers ] if i need to switch to lows, which at low alt ,3D, or in a panic , may need to be done very rapidly, i flick my forefinger [like flicking a buger] forward automatically, without thinking...after a while it becomes a reflex action, without ever having to take my eyes off the bird....rather than having them set up opposite, trying to find them, or keeping fingr on it/them..give it a try..works great

rcpete347

My Feedback: (251)

HI, no video games here, so I am a thumb and index finger guy.
Happy new year.
Rcpete

causeitflies

My handwriting is also terrible and I also subscribe to the opposing thumb thing... fingers hold the box and thumbs move the sticks.
But I can also use the thumb and finger method but it's not as comfortable.

Eddie P

My Feedback: (4)

I've got great handwriting but I was taught to fly as a thumbs only kid, then video games, then 27 years of thumb only and you get the idea. I would like to switch over the finger thumb but at this point I almost feel it would be of little benefit to me. Maybe I'll dust off the simulator and experiment a little this winter on electronic victims.

grbaker

My Feedback: (29)

This poll is only a little more than 2 years old. [X(]

GrayUK

Thumb and finger with strap.

Happy new year all.

Paul

jetpilot

My Feedback: (48)

I use the shocker!!
I wish my TX had two big atari joysticks.
Scott

j.duncker

My Feedback: (2)

Been flying thumbs for 40+ years but how I wish I was a thumbs and fingers flyer when I want to fly smooth large precision manouvres.

However for RC combat and extreme 3D flying thumbs rule IMHO.

Eddie P

My Feedback: (4)

A topic that clearly never goes out of style

phantom driver

My Feedback: (32)

I learned to fly 14 years ago using my thumbs only. I switched over to thumb and index finger about two years ago. I recently tried to use just thumbs and it was very difficult to make smooth flight adjustments. I don't know how I ever flew before using just my thumbs. Thumbs and index fingers for me. I use a neck strap to help hold my transmitter along with three fingers on each hand. I have a BVM transmitter try that I tried, but it felt too strange with my other fingers not under the transmitter. I guess "if it feels good, do it."

Boomerang1

Thumbs for me. Tried thumb & forefinger with a tray for a while but I never felt comfortable with it. I guess you can't teach an old dog....................................

Do most of you thumb & forefinger guys fly mode 2? That may have something to do with it. I fly mode 1, what my mode 2 buddies call 'a bulldozer driver' ! - John.

J. Campbell

My Feedback: (31)

I learned to fly on thumbs only.. After a couple of years i switched to thumb and fingers because the "better" pilots at the field flew that way.. I almost crashed! I stuck with it though and learned to use thumbs and fingers.. Now i would not think of flying with thumbs only as i feel i have better contol with both.. I guess its a personal preference in the end though. Russ

Eddie P

My Feedback: (4)

How long did it take you to transition to finger thumb? Any airplanes take a beating in the transition? Do you really find that besides a better feel, you fly more precisely?

J. Campbell

My Feedback: (31)

It took me about 2 months to get comfortable with it.. Start by putting your thumb on the stick as usual but just laying your finger on the top side, with time you will grab the stick with both.. No, luckily i did not crash, it was 12 years ago and i was only flying 4 channel mid and low wings at the time.. Russ