Dumb thumbs or sticky fingers

[GLIDERGIDER]

So how do you embrace the sticks. Do you thumb them on top, or do you grasp them between two fingers?

I prefer the dumb thumbs. I tried the sticky fingers method and didn't like it.

As I write this question, I think my preference to the thumbs allows the remainder of the hand to grasp the transmitter. Plus, maybe it helps free the pointer finger for the laborious job of flipping flight mode switches. My style of flying does require both sticks, so both hands are busy. Using just two thumbs leaves 8 fingers the job of holding the tx and flipping switches.


What is your preference?

If you grasp the sticks, are you more likely to have a neck strap to hold the tx?

[pmackenzie]

There have been lots of threads about this in other forums.
For gliders using "thumbs" has one big advantage.
You can hold the transmitter up and use it as a sun shield, while still keeping control of both sticks. Hard to do that with a tray.
Pat Mackenzie

[GLIDERGIDER]

Excellent point, and I also use the tx for a quick sun shield.

The feel (feedback) through the thumbs for me is the important factor.

[TomO]

Thumbs w/ neckstrap for me.

I got used to the strap because it really helps to keep the radio alive as I trip over various rocks and plants while pacing around the top of the slope. Some days I crash more than my glider does.

[GoFaster]

Thumbs with neck strap. I fly DLG as well and don't want to launch my TX.

[rscarawa]

I used to use thumbs and a neck strap until about 3 years ago. Then I forced myself to start using fingers instead. After a couple weeks of adjustment, my fly has improved so much. 19 years with thumbs, 3 years with fingers, I will never go back to thumbs.

One problem I had with thumbs was with powered planes. When I did loops, for example, I would try to only give input to the elevator only, not realizing I was leaning on the ailerons when I did not mean to. The bulk of this stopped with finger usage.

If you have been a thumb person your whole flying career, give fingers a try. You will have to force yourself to do it for a couple of weekends. Once you get used to it, I bet you will have a hard time going back.


Scot

[rscarawa]

There have been lots of threads about this in other forums.
For gliders using "thumbs" has one big advantage.
You can hold the transmitter up and use it as a sun shield, while still keeping control of both sticks. Hard to do that with a tray.
Pat Mackenzie

Do you not wear a hat when flying? I cannot fly on sunny days without one. Even at that, I still try to avoid flying close to the sun. my $.02.


Scot

[pmackenzie]

Do you not wear a hat when flying? I cannot fly on sunny days without one. Even at that, I still try to avoid flying close to the sun. my $.02.


Scot
Hat, of course, but to use the brim to block the sun you have to hold your head down and look up with your eyes only. Hard to do for long.
Thermals have a way of aiming right at the sun sometimes, so flying near or through it can't be avoided.
Pat MacKenzie

[rdwoebke]

There have been lots of threads about this in other forums.
For gliders using "thumbs" has one big advantage.
You can hold the transmitter up and use it as a sun shield, while still keeping control of both sticks. Hard to do that with a tray.
Pat Mackenzie

I use thumb and index finger, don't use a neck strap/tray, and often hold the transmitter with one hand up in the air as a sun shield.

Ryan

[GLIDERGIDER]

Well, so far it the Thumbs have it 15-13. The poll also shows that if you are a Squeezer, then you are 21 percent more likely to want a neck strap. This gives the theory some basis that the extra finger on the stick, creates a need for more support. :)

I don't know the right answer. Several replys had good reasoning for their methods. I just like the simplicity and quickness of movement using the thumb. Thanks for the replys.

I'll keep this open for a few more days then close it down.

[Curare]

This is the same argument the Pattern guys have been having for aeons.

I'm a thumb with strap kinda guy, but that's only becuase I'm too chicken to go to thumbs and fingers.

I feel like I need a tray.

[rogerflies]

I fly gliders with my thumbs, but I fly power with thumbs and fingers. That helps me keep things straight, since I use diffferent TX modes for each type.

Roger

[pipedope]

For full house thermal planes I like a single stick TX with rudder knob.
I usually fly with a neck strap.

[BMatthews]

Two fingers lightly gripping or, more accuratley, two fingers that push the stick around. I like the two finger method since it puts the base of my fingers onto the face of the Tx so I can feel a reference of where the stick is in relation to center. For the same reason my grip is more of a light touch that tends to lightly push or pull. Again so that I have more indication of where the stick is WRT the center point.

I also wear a hat with a full brim but if the model is flying "above" the sun the Tx case comes in very handy to form a thin gap or V of sight between the hat brim and the Tx case. I hold the case with the other three fingers of each hand wrapped around and with some pressure between them on the case when needed for the overhead grip.

I also drilled and installed a 3/4 inch long 2-56 screw into the elevator trim knob so that I can find and use it easier. On a glider the elevator trim is really your throttle and your very dear friend. SO it deserves a lot of attention to the point of almost making it a primary flight control. Adding something to make it easier to find is pretty much a "must do" in my books.

My new Airtronics RD6000 uses those silly digital "click" trims. I have NO idea how this will work out for gliding but I'm pretty darn sure that I'm going to hate it. I may need to use the dial for one of the mixes added into the elevator as a substitute elevator trim.

[Curare]

Bruce, do what I did.

I bought a JR 3810, or in the US I think it's the 8103, the last of the transmitters to have ratchet trims.

I asked for it specifically.

I love my radio.

[Neil Walker]

I am sorta half and half. My thumbs are on the top of the sticks, like a thumb flier but then my index fingers are on the front of the sticks. So it's sort of a pinch, but a lot of the force comes from the thumbs. Sort of pinch-assisted dumb thumbs, if you like. I use a neckstrap, but I also support the Tx with my fingers. I think it developed *because* I like to give a little extra supprt to the Tx with my last two fingers. If you do a full pinch, you can't do this. By moving the thumbs to the top of the sticks it rotates your hand forwards and the pinky and ring fingers support the Tx. The middle finger is free to flick switches. Dunno how this developed, but it did. The nice thing is I can fly quite comfortably without a neckstrap, although having one takes some strain off my hands.

[Mr. Innocent]

Neck straps always get in the way of the sticks! I fly with thumbs and have found (oh so VIOLENTLY) that I don't like neck straps. I fly at a slope site in Carlsbad, the lift is usually VERY light so I compensate with HARD launches to get a little energy going. Once a fellow pilot asked me to fly his plane and tell him if it felt right, I give it one of those monster launches and the neck strap gets tangled around the transmitter, needless to say the plane went in to a beautiful spiral dive 3 feet in to the ground in front of me. Luckily it was an EPP combat wing, so no real damage was done.

[BMatthews]

Bruce, do what I did......

Well, I sort of did but in advance of getting the Airtronics... :D

Years ago I got a JR347. It's got the arrangement I like as well as all the programming options. I may just end up using the Airtronics for power models and the JR for my gliders.

The funny thing is that so far I've only used the Airtronics that has all the fancy mixes and other programmable doohickys for a rudder only 1/2A power model.... :D It took me 32 years of flying to finally master rudder only....

[dee-grose]

Dave,

I voted for two finger pinch without strap, but it is really split 50/50 whether I use my neckstrap or not. Depends on whether I remember to bring it or even what transmitter I use. Regardless, I don't fly with thumbs only.

Andy

[rscarawa]

It looks like 'Two fingers' has just taken the lead.:)

One thing would be interesting to do as an experiment, use the tx to have the servos make shapes and see how accurate those shapes are with the different methods. For example, either on computer or mechanically with the servos, try to draw an exact circle with the ailerons and elevator using both methods with several pilots. then take the output and put a true circle around ithe drawing and see how true the hand drawn circle was. That would give you some idea if one method has an accuracy advantage over another. Next, try to draw an 'S'.

I bet this can be done on some of the flight simulators. Just need to create a small program to use the TX interface.


Scot

[GLIDERGIDER]

Not only did the lead change, but the trend of neck strap use with Squeezers is also diminished. The data now says that the Dumb Thumb fliers are more likely to want a neck strap.

Two reasons I don't like neck straps are, 1: In the summer, they are hot, and 2: I'm a tall man and all the neck straps I've gotton are short. It feels like the tx is right under my chin.

The idea of drawing circles is good, if someone tries that experiment, make sure you keep you eyes up. Looking at the sticks wouldn't be realistic. For me I like the thumb on top of the stick for finding the sprung center. It just seems faster and easier.

Lots of good reasons have been given, and you can bet I'm going to try the squeezer method next time I fly.

[rscarawa]

The idea of drawing circles is good, if someone tries that experiment, make sure you keep you eyes up. Looking at the sticks wouldn't be realistic.


I agree. I think it would be fair to look at the circle on the screen as it is being drawn though. This is analagous to seeing your plane needs more up elevator in a turn, so you respond in kind.

I also use the thumbs for when I hand launch a plane and I am trying to put my hands in place fast to get control. Then after I get the plane flying, I go to fingers and thumbs.


Scot

[mdennis]

I had to think about this for a minute. I say you should do whatever feels best at the time with both your hands and the strap. (Sounds kinky when I look at what I wrote.)

I fly with both the thumb and finger, (T&F), and with just my thumbs, (T) at different times. For yanking and banking, (slope and general goofing around), I use just my thumbs. For precison stuff where I only want small movements I use T&F. I have even found myself using both when flying 3D. My right hand will be T&F and left will be T so I can react quicker with the throttle. With gliders I typically use T when launching and landing, but use T&F while flying. It's easier for me to operate switches and sliders while flying with T because I use a 3 way switch to hit standard camber and reflex points and a slider to change those even further. On windy days I use my thumbs and on light lift days when I am trying to make as few changes as I can I use T&F. So I switch around all the time. Plus on long flights it's handy to be able to change positions. (I like the laying on your back, transmitter at your side, look ma no hands, watching your floater make lazy circles position. )

The neck strap is a part time thing as well. When flying the DLG I use it, I like it when I am winch launching heavier planes and when I am doing 3D stuff. The rest of the time it's a pain in the butt and I don't use it.

I'm so confused :rolleyes:

[rogerflies]

"...and I am trying to put my hands in place fast to get control."

That's why I have a different mode on my sailplane TX. My left thumb is always on the aileron/rudder stick as I launch. No hunting for the controls.

Roger

[may fly]

I use both, left thumb controls rudder and flaps, right thumb and finger on the elevator and ailerons. No strap. I'm using a small MXP cockpit transmitter and its small size helps with this method. I used to fly single stick. Just couldn't seem to get both hands working at the same time for a two stick transmitter. Then I dropped out of r/c for about 15 years flying full size tail draggers and antique planes. These required a lot of rudder inputs. When I took up r/c soaring, I found that I no longer liked ss at all since I could now handle the rudders much better with my left thumb than having all controls on a single stick.

[atjurhs]

I'm a dumb thumber. I input a little bit of expo to the aileron/rudder to compensate for any left/right that I may unintentionally input as I pull back or push forward.

As for the neck strap, I've finally broken that bad habit. Now I only use it when my knees are a shaken :D