brc007

My Feedback: (1)

How do YOU fly?


BTW Yes I HAVE searched and no I couldn't find a poll that had been already posted.

Jim_McIntyre

I fly with a neckstrap, thumb and forefinger pinching the stick on the right hand but, thumb only on the left hand. I learned (as most do in this area) to fly with thumbs but didn't have the accuracy I wanted. I started flying IMAC with a friend and he convinced me to try thumb and forefinger. Never looked back.

Now I'm trying to train the left hand but that thumb takes over whenever I'm not looking.

Definitely considering getting a tray. To h*ll with the way it looks, I want better scores.

Cactus.

My Feedback: (1)

mode 2, thumbs on top and no old boys strap, 3 hours flying gliders and im fine still.
i dont go with this idea of thumbs and fingers for better control, its slower and stitting here i see my thumbs go at the perfect angle, thumbs and fingers dont. i hear if you pull a loop thumbs and fingers you dont get cross movement on ailerons, well if you do correct it then. my pet hate is people that moan the planes slightly out of trim, you have a control box, use it and re-trim after the flight
my movements with thumbs are precise, i've been racing cars for years and its not just bang the stick, throttle and stearing are very sensitive.
i cant tell you what my thumbs do when i fly, i dont think about it. everyone that flys my planes mentions how twitchy they are around center stick and i can see by how they fly them what they mean. but its perfect for me, i hate spongy planes. i like to feel what the planes doing. yes it sounds weird, but i also learnt how to fly in my sleep.

Hubb

My Feedback: (1)

thumbs no strap

none of that complicated stuff for me. just throw me a tranny and lets go fly.

K.I.S.S.

Keep It Simple Stupid

(Im Stupid)



Hubb

TopShelf

My Feedback: (4)

I use my thumb and forefingers on the sticks and use a neck strap. The strap is generally just a safety net as I live in fear of droping the transmitter.

tmproff

My Feedback: (5)

Thumbs and strap for me. I've heared a ton about thumbs and fingers, and definatly way to "relearn" my bad habits..it's just slow going, and feels uncomfortable with the thumb and finger.

helicrazy-RCU

My Feedback: (3)

I started flying single stick with EKLogitrol 7 channel. I fly mode 2 with thumb on top of sticks with fore finger just under the thumbs, I have trained many pilots with this method and if they go to helis or Giant Planks they have no trouble mastering them, you have much more control with finger thumb than thumb only.

Airwurthy

My Feedback: (2)

Thumbs only, my middle fingers are not good at flipping rate switches, and no strap, much easier to pass the box to a buddy that says, "Hey, hows that fly?"

amcross

My Feedback: (2)

Mike taught me to fly, so i fly like he does...

thumb on top of stick
forefinger in front of stick
on a tray.

WHY?
tray gives stability
thumb on top gives quick movement for 3D
forefinger on front of stick, like finger/thumb, gives far better precision.

Dansy

My Feedback: (53)

I use my thumb and forefinger on the sticks and use a Tray, my instructor taught me to fly with a strap pretty early on....so the tray just got natural, much more stable...and yes I can fly with a strap only and without both strap or tray......but then I have to hold the transmitter, and stick full movement is lot harder to do fast.

Daniel D.

Ed_Moorman

My Feedback: (1)

I'm not sure of your goal or where you will use the results, but I researched the question years ago. In 1980 I published a book called "How To Buy & Fly RC Airplanes." During my research, I ran into a PhD human factors engineer. I asked him this and, several other questions. After some research on his part, he told me that the population would probably split somewhere around 50-50 for sensitivity of thumb vs thumb & fingers. Training would have a lot to do with it also. His bottom line was that the most comfortable position would give the best results.

visioneer_one

My Feedback: (506)

Thumbs on top of the stick, index finger in front. I have a strap... somewhere...

amcross

My Feedback: (2)

Ed, interesting!! Different experts, different theories...

I've spoken at length with my favorite ergonimics specialist (don't ask...it's a long story) and she agrees -- in GENERAL, given a normal person's hands, etc -- flying finger thumb in any configuration will give a more precise performance. To test it, close your eyes. hold thumb on top of stick adn try to pull a perfect 45 to bottom left corner. Do it 10 times. have someone else record your accuracy. Do the same finger thumb. Even those who are experienced thumb fliers will nearly always find that they got better precision with the finger supporting the stick and making a fluid movement rather than the palm not moving and the thumb just trying to pull a 45.

Cactus.

My Feedback: (1)

your right, eyes closed and thumb, i make a little arc, finger and thumb its straighter.
i will now fly my planes eyes closed and only pull sticks to corners LOL

Airwurthy

My Feedback: (2)

Is it difficult to make adjustable/tiltable gimbals? Its one of my favorite parts of the 9Z(probably only benefits us thumb-only users). Any chance the 9CAFS/9CAPS(9 super that will inevitably be out in 2 years) will have adjustable gimbals like the 9Z? Is this how rumors get started? I heard the 9super will have adjustable gimbals and a synthesizer available.

WADE

My Feedback: (19)

I fly with thumb and finger but that's my preference. Some people down the thumbs only method, but I've seen people fly with thumbs only and they were great. Some people get taught a certain way and it's difficult to switchover. I say go with what you like. Master your method and the sky is the limit!

WADE

My Feedback: (19)

Mrs. Cross,
I tried that 45 degree test and I found that I did just as well with thumb only versus the thumb and finger method. Maybe that theory proves true with some people, but definitely not all. I do fly with thumb and finger.

Sincerely,
Your Test Subject

bob_nj

My Feedback: (62)

Your comment on the thumb for 3D and the forefinger for precision is interesting. I've been flying with thumb_forefinger_strap since my pattern days and like it alot. Much smoother for me. My dilemma is that when hovering, I still tend to use both the thumb and forefinger. I wish I could seperate them on the left hand when the nose is in the air for quicker rudder corrections. Any thoughts or exercises

RCPilot100

My Feedback: (4)

I recently started using a strap. I had wanted to try one years ago and only started using it when a nice one came with my new 9Z. The question has to do with starting your plane - if you wear the strap around your neck in anticipation of attaching the Rx, how do you insure keeping the thing out of the prop? I stick it down my shirt, let it hang down my back, ... What works for others? Thanks.

Dan

Geistware

My Feedback: (16)

If using thumbs is good enough for Chip Hyde, then it is good enough for me!

Equest

RCPilot100

I too fly with a strap and I leave it on the TX when I start the engine. I lay the TX within reach when I commence starting procedures and make the necessary idle adjustments. When done I put the strap around my neck while holding down on the throttle stick. I have been doing this for at least a year with no problems. Also, you need to realize that either someone is holding the plane down or I am using some other means of holding the plane in its place. Be safe... always!

TopShelf

My Feedback: (4)

Dan,

As far as strap usage goes, I keep mine atached to the Transmitter (Tx). I set the tranmitter on the ground or bench near where I'm starting my plane. Once I have the plane running and at idle, I put the strap over my head and proceed to fly. One thing to keep in mind is that the strap is capable of bumping the throttle as you handle the Tx. So, you need to watch for that and keep your plane secured at all times.

RCPilot100

My Feedback: (4)

Thanks for the suggestions guys - sounds like a winner to me. From now on the strap stays on the Tx.

Dan

GelCell

.. i fly with one stick in my nostril and the other connected to my left butt-cheek with a string.

i dont know about ya'll...

..maybe im weird.. i dunno.

-Joe-

slapshot

My Feedback: (15)

I use thumb and forefinger. I think that I fly smother this way.