All Fingers and Thumbs?

[Sqn]

Currently enjoying both my Blade 120 SR and MSR X. I bought the 120 first but after a fair few knocks to itself, various household objects - and me (!) I scaled-down to the MSR X so I can learn the basics without the threat of damage.

I've seen a few vids where the pilots are holding the cyclic between their right index finger and thumb - I tried it but it felt distinctly 'odd' and I prefer to just use a thumb. Am I setting myself up for control hardships later or are there plenty of 'thumbs-only' pilots out there?

[Stanley Speel]

There're plenty

[matt t]

there are a lot of people who just use thumbs including myself, you will be fine using thumbs even once youve progressed
although there are people who fly pinching the sticks aswell, it all depends what your comfortable with

[Sqn]

Ok, that's good to know.

Another more 'advanced' question on sticks: I've noticed that when I move the throttle for left yaw, I inadvertently go up and left. When I push for right yaw I natuarally go down and right. If I want a straight yaw with no increase/decrease in throttle how should I position my hand - or is it just something that will come with experience?

Hope that made sense.

[LaurenceGough]

When you pinch you might need to shorten the stick, most pilots do including myself. You need to give it a good few days of trying the pinch method out - you also will want to use a neck strap when pinching especially.

There are very good pilots flying either way.

As for your above question that will just come with experience, make sure your throttle stick smoothly goes up and down, you can also adjust stick tension on some transmitters let us know which one you are using.

[Sqn]

DX6i

I'll whack that in my sig.

[LaurenceGough]

DX6i Stick Tension Adjustment - YouTube

Be warned only do this if you feel comfortable with the above video and if you think your sticks are not well suited to you.

[oneandonlyian]

I pinch the collective stick and thumb only on cyclic. Its difficult for some to do a straight up and down movement. with the thumb it naturally curves to the left (on left hand) that's where your input is from on the stick. if you pinch the sticks your index fingers can be used to straighten up the thumb movements.
Sent from my HTC Desire HD A9191 using Tapatalk

[rachel]

I mix , I use thumb only on the left stick and thumb and finger on the right (cyclic ) stick. (pinch).

I did try a using the pinch method on both sticks with a transmitter tray , its ok and certainly felt more precise .

I have noticed the interaction on the collective stick if i watch my thumb but it doesnt seem to happen when i fly .

I have noticed thatIi run a lot of stick tension on the yaw (rudder) stick and that I prefer it shorter that the cyclic (right pinch) stick.

its just a personal thing .
:-) Rachel.

[Lynx.1677]

There is no right or wrong way, only what works for you.