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AJCoholic · 04-12-2004, 06:47 PM

There are many top fliers using both techniques, and some with a tray, strap or holding their transmitters.

Personally after trying it all ways (thumbs and thumb/fingers, tray, no tray and strap) I have in the last 10 years settled on using my thumb and finger, with my sticks out pretty far, and I allways use a neck strap.

Whatever feels comfortable for you - but try it several ways. I teach my students the way I fly, BUT. if they feel better another way (thumbs) so be it. Its like positioning the seat in the truck, what's comfortable for me may not be for the next guy...

The "pros" who write about it suggest that finger and thumb, with extended sticks, in a tray should be the more precise way to fly (like the Europeans) but in North America I think it is split at least 50/50 thumb and thumb & finger.

*flysrcs* · 04-12-2004, 07:35 PM

Like AJC, I have as well tried all different techniques, and I must say that I preffer thumbs on top and sticks as short as they will go. I also like the stick toips sharp so that my fingers stay put. I have an old JR century7 that has a 3 position D/R switch with expo beiing the middle positio. The only time I have almost put in a plane into the ground in the last couple of years due to dumb thumbs is when I experiment with the expo switch position. Not a fan of expo but I can live without it.

Dave

ronm · 04-12-2004, 07:54 PM

Gary:
Was not meant to be negative, I actually agree that the thumb and finger feels more precise, I use a combination of both.
I just wanted to point out that the best aerobatics pilot in the world is a thumb flyer, and flying with thumbs is not necessarily a bad thing!
(I wanted to get this in before Graham amputates his thumbs, I would feel responsible!)

Ronm

**Frank Klenk** · 04-12-2004, 08:59 PM

I'm a two finger flier ... thumb and the other one. I use a neck strap too. I tried the tray once and it felt very nice to fly this way, only problem is too much hardware for me.

Frank

ronm · 04-12-2004, 10:05 PM

Graham, just do your take-off and landings with your thumbs, then switch to finger-thumb mode to fly around. It does not take long to get used to it.
I switch back and forth constantly without thinking about it!

Ronm

**scaleguy** · 04-12-2004, 10:37 PM

Potato - Patato!

JimMcIntyre · 04-13-2004, 07:05 AM

FWIW, I began flying with thumbs, for the same reason wildbill mentions. I had the opportunity to fly with some top pattern flyers about 10 years ago and they managed to convince me to move to a pinch grip (finger/thumb) with the sticks extended to the stops. My precision improved greatly but, that may just have been the lessons I was learning by flying with them.
I'm transition to a tray and do find I have even finer control this way but I'm finding the transition difficult. Mostly to remember to pack the tray.

gus · 04-13-2004, 07:33 AM

I start off with just thumbs, and then transition to having my hands covering my eyes (with "Oh no" sound effects).

gus

50%300SFlyer · 04-13-2004, 07:53 AM

Neck strap, and first finger with thumbs. I also extended the sticks as long as they would go.

I also fly with my throttle and ailerons on the right, and my elevators and rudder on the left!.... Mode #1 rules!.....

Kevin McGrath · 04-13-2004, 08:34 AM

Single stick will rule again!
In the meantime I use a strap and thumbs,but I would not argue that thumb and finger give finer control movements.

04-12-2004, 06:47 PM	#11
AJCoholic RCC Supreme Contributor I am: Andrew Coholic Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Timmins, Northern Ontario Radio of choice: JR 12X, 28X Feedback: 47 / 100% Posts: 12,277 Total Props: 61	Remove this ad - become a site supporter! There are many top fliers using both techniques, and some with a tray, strap or holding their transmitters. Personally after trying it all ways (thumbs and thumb/fingers, tray, no tray and strap) I have in the last 10 years settled on using my thumb and finger, with my sticks out pretty far, and I allways use a neck strap. Whatever feels comfortable for you - but try it several ways. I teach my students the way I fly, BUT. if they feel better another way (thumbs) so be it. Its like positioning the seat in the truck, what's comfortable for me may not be for the next guy... The "pros" who write about it suggest that finger and thumb, with extended sticks, in a tray should be the more precise way to fly (like the Europeans) but in North America I think it is split at least 50/50 thumb and thumb & finger. __________________ Andrew Coholic -MAAC #26287L 1/2A to giant scale, IMAC, SAM, R/C sport, turbine jets, Heli's... if its got a wing or two and an engine - I like it!
	.

04-12-2004, 07:54 PM	#13
ronm RCC Supreme Contributor I am: Ronm Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Mission, B.C. Radio of choice: Futaba # of RCs: 10 Feedback: 0 / 0% Posts: 5,625 Total Props: 0	Gary: Was not meant to be negative, I actually agree that the thumb and finger feels more precise, I use a combination of both. I just wanted to point out that the best aerobatics pilot in the world is a thumb flyer, and flying with thumbs is not necessarily a bad thing! (I wanted to get this in before Graham amputates his thumbs, I would feel responsible!) Ronm __________________ Ron Mattiuz Flying Tigers RC Club "Flying an airplane is just like riding a bike...except it's harder to put cards in the spokes"
	.

04-12-2004, 08:59 PM	#14
Frank Klenk Level 3 Supporter ★ Site Supporter ★ I am: Frank Klenk Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Sunny Tillsonburg, Ontario (banana belt) Radio of choice: Futaba 18MZ # of RCs: 3 Feedback: 140 / 100% Posts: 6,347 Total Props: 49	I'm a two finger flier ... thumb and the other one. I use a neck strap too. I tried the tray once and it felt very nice to fly this way, only problem is too much hardware for me. Frank __________________ Frank Klenk MAAC 32001L IMAC 3698 MECA 4762 Thank a farmer My Website, https://frankshangar.com/ My YouTube channels, https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7m...ZDhGp4w/videos https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-k...8MphsMZuVfwqJw
	.

04-12-2004, 10:05 PM	#15
ronm RCC Supreme Contributor I am: Ronm Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Mission, B.C. Radio of choice: Futaba # of RCs: 10 Feedback: 0 / 0% Posts: 5,625 Total Props: 0	Graham, just do your take-off and landings with your thumbs, then switch to finger-thumb mode to fly around. It does not take long to get used to it. I switch back and forth constantly without thinking about it! Ronm __________________ Ron Mattiuz Flying Tigers RC Club "Flying an airplane is just like riding a bike...except it's harder to put cards in the spokes"
	.

04-12-2004, 10:37 PM	#16
scaleguy IMAC/SA or NOTHING! ★ Site Supporter ★ I am: JimmyD Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Mississauga On, SE Zone Radio of choice: JETI Duplex DS-24 # of RCs: ? Feedback: 75 / 100% Posts: 16,820 Total Props: 59	Potato - Patato! __________________ Jim Daly #IAmIMAC IMAC Sequence Committee Member MAAC #14323L IMAC #3678 *Windy you ask? I have Whitecaps on my Coffee, YOU be the Judge!*
	.

04-12-2004, 07:35 PM	#12
flysrcs ~~BANNED PEOPLE~~ I am: Dave . Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: NewMarket Radio of choice: DX 18 Feedback: 4 / 100% Posts: 1,501 Total Props: 5	Like AJC, I have as well tried all different techniques, and I must say that I preffer thumbs on top and sticks as short as they will go. I also like the stick toips sharp so that my fingers stay put. I have an old JR century7 that has a 3 position D/R switch with expo beiing the middle positio. The only time I have almost put in a plane into the ground in the last couple of years due to dumb thumbs is when I experiment with the expo switch position. Not a fan of expo but I can live without it. Dave
	.

04-13-2004, 07:05 AM	#17
JimMcIntyre RCC Supreme Contributor I am: Jim McIntyre Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Claremont Ontario Radio of choice: JR/Spectrum # of RCs: 999 Feedback: 1 / 100% Posts: 4,343 Total Props: 1	FWIW, I began flying with thumbs, for the same reason wildbill mentions. I had the opportunity to fly with some top pattern flyers about 10 years ago and they managed to convince me to move to a pinch grip (finger/thumb) with the sticks extended to the stops. My precision improved greatly but, that may just have been the lessons I was learning by flying with them. I'm transition to a tray and do find I have even finer control this way but I'm finding the transition difficult. Mostly to remember to pack the tray. __________________ ScaleBuilder MAAC# 12719 6EQUJ5 WOW!! Si fractum non sit, noli id reficere - (If it ain't broke, don't fix it).
	.

04-13-2004, 07:33 AM	#18
gus Guest Join Date: Feb 2004 Feedback: 0 / 0% Posts: 197 Total Props: 0	Transitional Fingering too I start off with just thumbs, and then transition to having my hands covering my eyes (with "Oh no" sound effects). gus
	.

04-13-2004, 07:53 AM	#19
50%300SFlyer RCC Pro Contributor I am: Mike Clemmens Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Stayner Ontario Feedback: 10 / 100% Posts: 1,775 Total Props: 1	Neck strap, and first finger with thumbs. I also extended the sticks as long as they would go. I also fly with my throttle and ailerons on the right, and my elevators and rudder on the left!.... Mode #1 rules!..... __________________ Mike Clemmens
	.

04-13-2004, 08:34 AM	#20
Kevin McGrath RCC Pro Contributor I am: kevin w Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Sault Ste marie,Ont. Canada Feedback: 0 / 0% Posts: 1,958 Total Props: 1	Single stick will rule again! In the meantime I use a strap and thumbs,but I would not argue that thumb and finger give finer control movements. __________________ MAAC 6401LCD IMAA 27023 IMAC 3710 The Planet is doing what it has always done.......floods,volcanic eruptions storms, earthquakes.........but today there are more people in the way.
	.

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