Do you pinch or use your thumbs

[gary jp4]

I flew planks first for years with thumbs. With the Trex I decided I needed to learn pinch. Now I pinch cyclic and thumb on collective or pinch.

[50+AirYears]

I used to use my thumb back in the single channel/escapement days. Now, I have only a couple planes like my Wattage Rookie with the three button transmitters that I use thumbs on. Otherwise, its pinch all the way.

[SinxarKnights]

This thread is getting old but I figure I would share. Back before I got my heli and was practicing on the sim, I pinched. I found it near impossable to control with thumbs. After I got my HoneyBee CP2, I found it much easier to just thumb it. Don't ask me why but it just feels more natural to me but then again I am the guy that used a Tx with sticks for RC cars instead of that pistol thing.

[Murdock1]

I've more or less settled on a combination of the two. I sorta hook my index finger over and put my thumb directly on top of the collective so I guess it's kinduva pinch. I use my thumb only for the cyclic. Thumb only for the cyclic is good for me but I need a bit more control over the collective / nose direction.

[50+AirYears]

I have been trying to use thumbs on my Real Flight G3.5 simulator I got from my son for my birthday a month ago. As far as I'm concerned, forget it. I'll stay with pinching. Far smoother and accurate. Also easier to hold the tranny.

[vanepico]

pinch - precise control like hovering a helicopter

thumbs - when you need quick control and lots of stick movement

you use which ever one make flying easier

i use pinch when i fly my hirobo llama but with my rc planes i use thumbs

problem is my fingers aren't always long enough to pinch the controls, you need long fingers!!!

[Doc Pete]

FWIW,
We've had lots of calls about the new DX7 trans. Our Elite tray "will" fit the DX7.
Hope this helps,
Pete
Owner..... Petal manufacturing, maker of Elite transmitters trays.

[racin06]

I’ve only been flying RC helis for 6 months and I have no fixed-wing experience. I started out using the thumbs-only method for about 2 months. I then decided to switch to the pinch method and I’m glad I made that decision. There is no doubt that I have more precise control of the heli using the pinch method. Also, I believe the pinch method eliminates the tendency to over-control the heli, which is common with newbies.

[Browntail]

I voted for pinch, but I actually use a cross between pinch and thumbs. My thumbs are on top of the sticks with my finger on the side. When I do positive maneuvers I pull with my finger, left and right is a combo, but it depends on what I am doing.

I was all thumbs until I started heli flying 23 years ago. Then I started doing it this way. I'm about to go back into helis after 20 years off (bought a CX2), so we'll see what works for my older less limber fingers.

On a side note, I used a strap for a while, and have never used a tray (no offense Pete). I just wasn't comfortable with the strap around my neck, although it was a narrow one, a wider one might change that feeling. Watcha think?

JJJim

[HX3D014]

I think the wider strap would be more comfortable. but up to you in the end.

I have been trying kaos on the sim quite a bit lately. and I think i need to change grip to pinch for cyclic, (Fly mode 3 on JR radio, Cyclic left stick and hrotle rudder right stick) when I use thumbs for the kaos. I find my thumb tends to roll off the stick.. So I will see how I feel going to pinch. or just modify my cyclic stick to be a pin point rather than the typical cerated circle....

[Flyingace451]

I guess I am "bi" when it comes to flying. I control with my ...but placing my index fingers on the gimbles gives an added sense of security and I also control any down movements such as lowering throttle and up elevator/cyclic (I'm "bi" in two ways, I fly planes and helis and I fly and pinchy) with my index fingers more than my . Sooooo...

I try to prevent dumb and yet I still crash...oh well.

[wilmckdun]

My FIRST POST!! I am a pincher (all 1 hr. of flying honeybeecp2), but I could be wrong. Reason: I water ski on one ski with my left foot forward. (opposite from pros) I surf with my right foot forward, (goofy foot; not normal!), but flew full size helios with pinch method! I am soooo confused!! Great posts!

[Biplane Murphy]

I am a "pincher" ..........
It helps me to have more small and precise inputs.

I like to set my planes up with huge control throws and no expo....
usually fly on high rates and almost never switch to low rates.

Pinch method helps me to be more smooth with inputs on my twitchy planes!!

Murph......

[50+AirYears]

My final analysis: whatever works best for you.

[KR-1981]

I have tried both, used to use thumbs, started on a Blade CX, went to a CP Pro and found that pinch worked better (i had to teach myself pinch on the cx since i wasnt comfortable with it) I just dont seem to have the precision with thumbs as I do with pinch method, and being a beginner still i need all the help I can get.

[heliman420]

i starded with thumbs.. and learned to hover.but then started experiencing shaky thumb syndrome.. and was forced to learn to use the pinch method... now i only fly pinch..(planes/helis) and toys too

[oakleyjp]

Now which is better?

[Lieutenant Loughead]

I hold the transmitter with my left hand, and launch with my right hand. After launch, I continue to hold the transmitter in my left hand, and support with my right hand.

That being said, I use my thumb on the (left) throttle/rudder stick, and pinch the (right) aileron/elevator stick.

I think a pinch is required in the elevator/aileron stick, because it is much more active than the throttle/rudder stick.

[krtf4u_corsair]

I don't fly heli's I'm more of a plane guy. I guess my years of playing video games really forces me to use my thumbs!

[calldaffer]

thumb with my left, pinch with my right...barely maintain control regardless

[Nimble1]

Calldaffer, I pinch the throttle/rudder, and thumb the ailerons/elevator but like you ..barely maintain control...LOL
I actually had to go fly my mSR to see how I did it.

[50+AirYears]

Boy, what brought this back after 3.5 years?

For myself, I'm a pincher, except with the Hitec 3 channel radios, in which I pinch the right stick and work the throttle on the back of the transmitter case with my left index finger. I hold the case in both hands, use thumb and index finger on both hands, except for that 3 channel, where the left thumb is on top and the last 3 fingers underneath.

A full scale pilot thinking of breaking into RC spent some time watching several of us fly for this same question, and decided the pinchers flew noticeably smoother.

As far as which is better, it's whatever works best for you, whatever you're more comfortable with.

[kenchiroalpha]

Hi
I use both methods depending on the aircraft type and the style of flight
Take care
Yours Hank

[stevecooper]

I'm all Thumbs,,,,,,,,,,,, Ummmm,, that don't sound right,,,, bubsteve

[50+AirYears]

Last summer I decided to see if I've recovered enough control in my left hand to try to thumb the left stick. After less than a minute, I went back to pinching. Still can't keep my thumbs on top of the sticks any better than I could before my stroke. Otherwise, I;ve recovered enough to fly a 4 channel Park Zone Micro Sukhoi in a 14 mph wind without crashing.