 |
 | Home | Contact Us | FAQ | Search & Site Map | Link to Us |
 | Sign In | Join | Other 45 Sites in Network |
| HomeDiscussion Groups General ModelsRailroadsRocketsRadio Controlled Air ModelsHelicoptersLand ModelsWater ModelsModelGeeks.com Contact UsLink To UsSearch & Site Map |
Model Forum / Radio Controlled / Helicopters / January 2006Thumbs only or thumbs and fingers???
Simple question.. Thumbs only or thumbs and fingers to twiddle the sticks?? I've only ever used my thumbs on the sticks but I've seen a few videos of pilots "pinching" the sticks between their thumbs and index fingers.. For giggles I tried that method on the sim and couldn't even hover. Obviously something I'd need to learn but the question began nagging at me.. Which method is inherently "better" and would it be worth it to learn the thumb/finger method? > Simple question.. Thumbs only or thumbs and fingers to twiddle the > sticks?? [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > at me.. Which method is inherently "better" and would it be worth it > to learn the thumb/finger method? This is much the same question as "Which is the best mode?". If you have already learned, then the best way for you is the way you already do it. Most everyone around here flies mode 1 and thumbs. I used to race r/c electric cars and was more comfortable with mode 2 when I was learning to fly planks. Fast forward to helis, and for some reason preferred using a neckstrap and the 'pinching'. It's how I fly now, and would not even entertain the thought of trying any other way. I can move both sticks to all extremes of their travel, what more is needed? If you can do the same with your thumbs, then fair play. Again better depends on the individual, and when comparing you must take into account the extra weight of the already learned method will outweigh the one you're thinking of switching to. my 2 penneth > Simple question.. Thumbs only or thumbs and fingers to twiddle the > sticks?? [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > at me.. Which method is inherently "better" and would it be worth it > to learn the thumb/finger method? This is a very common question. There are those who seem to go out of their way to press their opinion that the "only" way to go is thumbs and fingers. To that, I've always said, "B*** S***!" The first time I "ever" held a transmitter, I put my thumbs on top of the sticks and that's how I moved them around. When I finally built my first model (as 60 size helicopter), I learned to fly it, thumbs only. It's what was, and is, natural "for ME!!" Like you, I tried using the thumb and finger method and almost rolled the model into a ball. I was flying the real thing at the time. Sim's didn't exist back then. If you've already learned "thumbs only" and are comfortable with that, then don't bother trying to change and don't let anyone "guilt" you into trying to change. If you're more comfortable using both thumbs and fingers then more power to you, that's how you should fly. My best flying buddy used to fly what I'd call a hybrid mode. He used thumb only on one stick and thumb and finger on the other. He eventually converted to thumb and finger on both sides and it works for him now. It also took him between 4 to 6 months to get comfortable with it. For me, it's just not worth the trouble. Bottom line is, neither method is "inherently better" than the other. It's all up to what the individual is more comfortable with. Some fly mode 1, some fly mode 2, some fly (or used to anyway) single stick. One of the best pilots in the world, Curtis Youngblood, can fly mode 2 and single stick with what appears to be equal ease. I imagine that he could fly mode 1 as well but I've never seen him fly that mode before. He does admit that he's more comfortable with single stick because that's what he learned on. These days, he's flying a mode 2/single stick hybrid design. Throttle is on the left stick and a single stick (ail, ele, and rud in one) is on the right side. It's an adaptation he makes to his personal transmitters and has learned to live with because JR (or anyone else for that matter) doesn't make a single stick radio any more. Fly the way that works best for you and Fly Safe, Steve R. >This is a very common question. There are those who seem to go out of their >way to press their opinion that the "only" way to go is thumbs and fingers. >To that, I've always said, "B*** S***!" Such language!! >The first time I "ever" held a transmitter, I put my thumbs on top of the >sticks and that's how I moved them around. When I finally built my first >model (as 60 size helicopter), I learned to fly it, thumbs only. It's what >was, and is, natural "for ME!!" Same here. OLD Kraft 3ch radio in a Mark's Models Wanderer glider.. When I "graduated" to a 4ch Futaba a couple years later, it was thumbs all the way. For sh.ts and grins, I ran home at lunch and tried the thumb/finger method on the sim. Couldn't hover worth a damn.. Simple forward flight wasn't an issue but any loops/rolls/hover flips etc were soon met with the "crunch" sound RealFlight emits when ya ball one up. Tried it with a plank on the sim and could fly either way without too much effort.. A bit more precise using thumbs only, but I'll bet that's due to muscle memory more than anything. I am a huge noob to helis..in fact I am still in a sim and I dont forsee myself wasting any money on a high powered meteor (at least in my hands lol) any time soon. I do think you are right about muscle memory. I grew up playing video games. Nintendo and such. My whole age group did. Our thumbs are our interface with the world. I dont know what I am "supposed" to do about holding the radio. But It feels comfortable and natural to use my thumbs on top of the sticks. >>This is a very common question. There are those who seem to go out of >>their [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > Such language!! Yeah, well, if you knew the number of times I've had some yahoo come up to me and tell me I didn't know squat because I flew thumbs only, you'd understand! ;-) > A bit more precise using thumbs only, but I'll bet > that's due to muscle memory more than anything. I'd hadn't looked at it that way before but you're probably right. When I tried the thumb and finger configuration, it felt like my finger was competing with the thumb and it was a stalemate, which ultimately meant that the helicopter was going to be the looser in short order. Do you know how difficult it is to let go of the transmitter in a tight spot and then "find" those darn sticks again with just the end of your thumbs before it hit's the ground? :-O I did it though! :-D Fly Safe, Steve R. >Yeah, well, if you knew the number of times I've had some yahoo come up to >me and tell me I didn't know squat because I flew thumbs only, you'd >understand! ;-) hehe.. I get similar things at work all the time. "You should do it this way because [insert dumbass reason here]..." 99% of the time my way is much better and results in a much better product... >> A bit more precise using thumbs only, but I'll bet >> that's due to muscle memory more than anything. [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] >those darn sticks again with just the end of your thumbs before it hit's the >ground? :-O Yeah, it just feels "odd" to me. Muscle memory really comes into play flying the real thing too. Did about 20 autos today in an R22 and I really didn't think about it much. Sort of like hovering. I just don't think about it in any conscious way anymore. It just sort of happens. Just got back from a 2 hour night flight (I'm now current for nights again) and am gonna fire up the sim and try the nose in hover again. Funny, I can do hover flips etc on the sime but can't nose in hover to save my life.. hehehe' >I did it though! :-D Everyone gets lucky once in a while.. hehehe > Just got back from a 2 hour night flight (I'm now current for nights > again) and am gonna fire up the sim and try the nose in hover again. > Funny, I can do hover flips etc on the sime but can't nose in hover to > save my life.. hehehe' I understand! I had such a mental block against nose-in hovers. Took me forever to get over it. I finally put the training gear back on and started from the ground up. 1st tank of fuel, it was "Katy bar the door!!!!" 2nd tank of fuel was so-so?? 3rd tank of fuel, someone flipped the light switch! Ka-Ching! And I haven't looked back since! Keep at it, you'll get it! Just like those autos in the R22! :-D >>I did it though! :-D > > Everyone gets lucky once in a while.. hehehe You betchya! I'll take em every time I can get em! Can we say, "FREE helicopter?" ;-) Fly Safe, Steve R. My bit of input. I was trying to learn to hover with the thumbs only but never got there, started to use thumb and finger with a hoverfly and suddenly like Steve it just worked for me, I seemed to have faster precise control. I haven't yet attempted a serious attack on nose in. Rob >> Just got back from a 2 hour night flight (I'm now current for nights >> again) and am gonna fire up the sim and try the nose in hover again. [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] > Fly Safe, > Steve R. I can fly either way. Thumbs is quicker response,and thumbs and fore finger is a little more precise. if i were to learn only one way it would be thumbs only,you can still be fairly precise with thumbs only with practice. > My bit of input. I was trying to learn to hover with the thumbs only > but never got there, started to use thumb and finger with a hoverfly > and suddenly like Steve it just worked for me, I seemed to have > faster precise control. I haven't yet attempted a serious attack on > nose in. I'm mainly a fixed-wing flyer and switched from thumbs to thumb and finger a few years ago. I *believe* it gives me a little more precise control, but I wouldn't try and force anybody to fly that way if they didn't want to. It certainly felt a little strange for a week or two until I got used to it. As for nose-in hovering, it's fine on the sim. But in "real life" I can hover tail-in or sideways-on without a problem. Slightly nose-in from sideways, still no problem. But about half-way from sideways to fully nose-in and it scares the **** out of me! :-)  SignatureJohn P. - who flies on Epsom Downs, UK. http://www.flyrc.org.uk/ I'm sick of spam, so replace 'nojunkthanks' with 'john' if you want me to read any e-mailed reply! > As for nose-in hovering, it's fine on the sim. But in "real life" I can > hover tail-in or sideways-on without a problem. Slightly nose-in from > sideways, still no problem. But about half-way from sideways to fully > nose-in and it scares the **** out of me! :-) Yup! That's it exactly. I had the same problem you're talking about John. When the model is about 45 degrees from full nose-in, you're flying in a "never-never land" where the brain can't seem to decide whether or not to make the switch from what's still essentially a tail-in orientation to a nose-in one. First you learn tail-in orientations, then nose-in. "Then" you have to learn to transition between the two! ;-) I could hover tail-in (obviously), and like you, could go 90 degrees either way or maybe a little more. I could also hover nose-in, even take off and land from that orientation but put the nose 45 degrees from nose-in and all hell would break loose. What I did to get round it was to start a slow pirouette and keep the hover as stable as possible. When I hit that 45 degree from nose-in point and would start to feel myself loosing it, I'd essentially let go of the cyclic but keep the turn going. The model would simply continue on and come to a pure nose-in position and my brain would snap back into recognition of the situation and I'd be fine. The model might drift off point a little for the brief time I wasn't making corrections with the cyclic but that was Ok. Once I got used to doing this, I finally relaxed enough to start to see and feel the corrections needed when transitioning between the 90 degree point and straight nose-in. Now I can make cyclic corrections all the way around the pirouette without having to think about it. Hang in there. All it takes is practice! :-) Fly Safe, Steve R. > Yup! That's it exactly. I had the same problem you're talking about > John. When the model is about 45 degrees from full nose-in, you're [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > orientations, then nose-in. "Then" you have to learn to transition > between the two! ;-) <more detail snipped> > Hang in there. All it takes is practice! :-) That makes a lot of sense. I've never got to the point on the real heli of being totally nose-in. It hadn't occurred to me that it was the transition between the two rather than just being nose-in that was causing the problem. If I nose-in on the sim I either take off nose-in or turn quickly so the transition is very brief. In real life I do it rather more cautiously and chicken-out when the uncomfortable 45 degree stage is reached! Perhaps I should practice the transition on the sim to get used to it... Or maybe take a deep breath and just take off nose-in in "real life." SignatureJohn P. - who flies on Epsom Downs, UK. http://www.flyrc.org.uk/ I'm sick of spam, so replace 'nojunkthanks' with 'john' if you want me to read any e-mailed reply! >> Yup! That's it exactly. I had the same problem you're talking about >> John. When the model is about 45 degrees from full nose-in, you're [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] > to it... Or maybe take a deep breath and just take off nose-in in "real > life." Let us know how it goes John! I get the impression that you're probably pretty close. If you're like me, you'll scare yourself a couple of times but the ol brain will finally click in. After that, you'll be asking yourself what the big deal was! Good luck & Fly Safe, Steve R. > Let us know how it goes John! I get the impression that you're > probably pretty close. If you're like me, you'll scare yourself a > couple of times but the ol brain will finally click in. After that, > you'll be asking yourself what the big deal was! Well I gave it a go this morning. I put the training gear back on and tried hovering starting from nose-in. The heli is just a little electric (Zoom clone) and as was a bit breezy outdoors so I flew it in the garage. Well, it was a bit of a roller-coaster ride at times ;-) but I think I'm getting there gradually... At least I've convinced myself that it's *possible* to hover it nose in! Unfortunately a fractured wire on the motor brought flying to an abrupt halt and stripped the tail gear (again), but no other damage. Back to the sim for more practice whilst contemplating a .30 sized i/c heli! SignatureJohn P. - who flies on Epsom Downs, UK. http://www.flyrc.org.uk/ I'm sick of spam, so replace 'nojunkthanks' with 'john' if you want me to read any e-mailed reply! >> Let us know how it goes John! I get the impression that you're >> probably pretty close. If you're like me, you'll scare yourself a [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] >and stripped the tail gear (again), but no other damage. Back to the sim >for more practice whilst contemplating a .30 sized i/c heli! hehe, You sound like you're having about as much success as I am. I did some nose-in work for about an hour on the sim last night. Best effort was about 90 seconds of reasonably stable hover before it all went to hell. Sure does tax my brain thinking "backwards".. ehehe >>> Let us know how it goes John! I get the impression that you're >>> probably pretty close. If you're like me, you'll scare yourself a [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > effort was about 90 seconds of reasonably stable hover before it all > went to hell. Sure does tax my brain thinking "backwards".. ehehe FWIW guys, I'm in the same boat, just a little higher up the ladder. I've finally got a 3D machine built for myself. It's Freya X-Spec with YS91 and all digital servos. I'm trying to learn upright/backward flight as well as inverted backward and forwards flight. Inverted forwards is not really a big deal. I've been going that to one degree or another for some time now. I'm just sustaining it longer. I also want to get comfortable making normal (yeah, right! ;-) ) approaches to hover while in inverted flight. I'm getting there but I'm still too chicken to bring it down very low just yet. My base reflexes aren't quite there yet. I'm still having to think about it too much! Upright and backwards was "really" giving me fits but I've been working that on the sim the most lately and I've actually made a number of figure 8 laps across the field yesterday with no excessive drama involved. Again, it's at a nice safe altitude but it went better than I expected. Backwards inverted? "That's" eating my lunch and really, it seems like it ought to be one of the easier modes to fly. Elevator reverts to normal. Aileron and rudder are reversed but at least they go in the same direction. I can do it on the sim but get seriously disoriented when I've tried it on the real thing. I can't seem to stay in contact with roll attitude on the model when flying the real thing. I'll get there though! Also, this is the first machine I've ever put digital servos on anything other than the tail. MAN, what a difference. I hadn't realized how much my throttle thumb jumps when I'm nervous. The analog servo can't keep up so I've never noticed it. The digital's follow every movement! I don't see it in the air but when I come back down to relax in a hover for a while, it can get very obvious! ;-) Hang in there & so will I! Fly Safe, Steve R. >FWIW guys, I'm in the same boat, just a little higher up the ladder. A little?? My heart rate goes to about 150bpm in just slow forward flight - and I've yet to haul the Raptor out yet! The poor Blade is getting flogged pretty regularly after work and the sim gets a turn once the sun goes down. Wish I could plug in my good radio to G2 but I didn't get the Interlink and I'm too cheap to buy one. heheh >I've >finally got a 3D machine built for myself. It's Freya X-Spec with YS91 and [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] >My base reflexes aren't quite there yet. I'm still having to think about it >too much! On the sim I don't have too much problem with the inverted bit in a high hover, but I'm not even REMOTELY thinking about trying it on the real thing.. >Upright and backwards was "really" giving me fits but I've been >working that on the sim the most lately and I've actually made a number of [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] >the real thing. I can't seem to stay in contact with roll attitude on the >model when flying the real thing. I'll get there though! The learning curve with these things is pretty much vertical.. Still it's a challenge I'm enjoying - even if my wallet isn't. >Also, this is the first machine I've ever put digital servos on anything >other than the tail. MAN, what a difference. I hadn't realized how much my >throttle thumb jumps when I'm nervous. The analog servo can't keep up so >I've never noticed it. The digital's follow every movement! I don't see it >in the air but when I come back down to relax in a hover for a while, it can >get very obvious! ;-) Great. The Raptor has all digital servos in it... Just gotta get the thing bolted to my stand and fire it up and get the engine dialed in. With studying, work and flying, I just don't have time... Anyone got a day extender I can borrow for a couple years?? eheheh > FWIW guys, I'm in the same boat, just a little higher up the ladder. I've > finally got a 3D machine built for myself. It's Freya X-Spec [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] > the real thing. I can't seem to stay in contact with roll attitude > on the model when flying the real thing. I'll get there though! Ouch, my brain hurts just thinking about the various combinations of crossed-over controls! At least with my fixed-wing planes I didn't (usually!) have to worry about control inputs when flying backwards ;-) SignatureJohn P. - who flies on Epsom Downs, UK. http://www.flyrc.org.uk/ I'm sick of spam, so replace 'nojunkthanks' with 'john' if you want me to read any e-mailed reply! >> FWIW guys, I'm in the same boat, just a little higher up the ladder. I've >> finally got a 3D machine built for myself. It's Freya X-Spec [quoted text clipped - 23 lines] > At least with my fixed-wing planes I didn't (usually!) have to worry about > control inputs when flying backwards ;-) It does get interesting, John! My problem at this point is that I'm still thinking about it too much. I'm not reliably making the mental transitions from one flight mode to the next. Some days I do real good on the sim and other days I don't make it from one side of the field to the other without rolling it into a ball. Doing any of this with the real thing brings on major heart palpitations but I do it up high and start off slowly. The altitude is a double edged sword though. If I'm high enough to be 95% confident that I can save a major screw up, I'm also so high that it's hard to see the model well enough to know what it's doing. I'm getting there though! ;-) Fly Safe, Steve R. > It does get interesting, John! My problem at this point is that I'm still > thinking about it too much. I'm not reliably making the mental transitions [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > to see the model well enough to know what it's doing. I'm getting there > though! ;-) You guys appear to be at the same level as me...I was always less confident with nose in even when I could do invert and inverted nose-in. That was until I started trying backwards upright flying and now nose in is no longer a problem. Guess its a question of trying something several rungs harder which makes previous "hard" manoeuvres easier. Stick time is the answer, there are no short cuts. Hopefully got a weekend of flying in front of me at Charmouth, if the rain keeps off on Saturday! > You guys appear to be at the same level as me...I was always less > confident with nose in even when I could do invert and inverted [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > got a weekend of flying in front of me at Charmouth, if the rain keeps > off on Saturday! Absolutely right! There's simply no substitute for burning fuel. Simulators are a great help but they're not the real thing. I'm hanging in there and it "is" getting better, albeit, sslloowwllyy! ;-) Fly Safe, Steve R. >Absolutely right! There's simply no substitute for burning fuel. >Simulators are a great help but they're not the real thing. I'm hanging in >there and it "is" getting better, albeit, sslloowwllyy! ;-) Getting electrons flowing works as well too. This little Blade really keeps me on my toes with anything over a SLIGHT breeze.. Wish I could get some time to haul the Raptor to the local schoolyard.. Damned kids... damned work.. damned flying... damned studying.. damned life!!! hehehe I learned to hover nose in before I did tail in. I just thought of is as comming in for a landing on a fixed wing, but the approach never stops. Just tip the stick to the side you want to raise. My heli sure looks a lot nicer from the front! I prefer thumbs and fingers. > > Yup! That's it exactly. I had the same problem you're talking about > > John. When the model is about 45 degrees from full nose-in, you're [quoted text clipped - 21 lines] > I'm sick of spam, so replace 'nojunkthanks' with 'john' if you want me > to read any e-mailed reply! > I learned to hover nose in before I did tail in. I just thought of is as >comming in for a landing on a fixed wing, but the approach never stops. Just >tip the stick to the side you want to raise. My heli sure looks a lot nicer >from the front! > I prefer thumbs and fingers. I'm fine with nose-in as long as the helicopter is moving - doesn't matter if it's 10 mph or .001mph.. If it's moving, I'm ok. As soon as it stop my brain goes "click" and short circuits my thumbs... >> I learned to hover nose in before I did tail in. I just thought of is >> as [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > matter if it's 10 mph or .001mph.. If it's moving, I'm ok. As soon > as it stop my brain goes "click" and short circuits my thumbs... Understood! We've had this conversation before, I think. Just put the training gear back on it, set it on the ground and walk around front. Learn to take off and land nose-in with the training gear. If you're like me, and I suspect that you're very close to where I was when I used this technique to learn the nose-in hover, you'll be surprised at how quickly you get over that "OH MY GOD, IT'S IN A NOSE-IN HOVER!!!!!" freeze up. ;-) It took me just under three tanks of fuel. It might take you more, it might take you less, but after that, it will be a definite "what's the big deal?" :-D Fly Safe, Steve R. >Understood! We've had this conversation before, I think. Yep, 'bout a month ago. >Just put the training gear back on it, set it on the ground and walk around >front. Learn to take off and land nose-in with the training gear. If >you're like me, and I suspect that you're very close to where I was when I >used this technique to learn the nose-in hover, you'll be surprised at how >quickly you get over that "OH MY GOD, IT'S IN A NOSE-IN HOVER!!!!!" freeze >up. ;-) Training gear is for wussies. :) I'll just fire up the sim and try... maybe. ehehe >It took me just under three tanks of fuel. It might take you more, it might >take you less, but after that, it will be a definite "what's the big deal?" >:-D I think I'm up to about 3 dozen virtual tanks.. I get frustrated after a minute or so and then shoot off into forward flight and try not to crash while I fly my version of <ahem> 3D. :) >>Understood! We've had this conversation before, I think. > > Yep, 'bout a month ago. Thought so! :-) >>Just put the training gear back on it, set it on the ground and walk >>around [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > Training gear is for wussies. :) I'll just fire up the sim and > try... maybe. ehehe Bull sh*t. The sim is great, don't get me wrong, but it's NOT the real thing. I tried and tried and tried to learn that nose-in trick at altitude for almost a year and just couldn't get it. Decent sims weren't around in those days. Just 2.5 tanks of fuel with the training gear and I was there. It's your decision though. >>It took me just under three tanks of fuel. It might take you more, it >>might [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > after a minute or so and then shoot off into forward flight and try > not to crash while I fly my version of <ahem> 3D. :) Therein lies the problem with sims. It's too easy to break off into unproductive stuff. You won't do that with the real thing so you'll probably learn more to boot! Just swallow your pride and go dig up the training gear. I'd bet a few tanks of fuel in that mode and you'll be a lot closer to a true nose-in hover. Fly Safe, Steve R. PS: If it doesn't work, you can always go back to what you've been doing. Just be sure to keep the model low so as to minimize the risks. Good luck! >> Training gear is for wussies. :) I'll just fire up the sim and >> try... maybe. ehehe [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] >those days. Just 2.5 tanks of fuel with the training gear and I was there. >It's your decision though. hehe, you sound like Beav.. Yeah, I know sim time doesn't equate to burning fuel (or electrons) Unfortunately, actually getting out and flying is tough with my schedule. Usually it's late at night (like now) that I find an hour or so to "piss away" but usually end up breaking out my full scale books to study (Gotta knock out two more writtens in the next couple weeks.) >> I think I'm up to about 3 dozen virtual tanks.. I get frustrated >> after a minute or so and then shoot off into forward flight and try [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] >training gear. I'd bet a few tanks of fuel in that mode and you'll be a lot >closer to a true nose-in hover. Actually, I try a lot of the time to be very precise in what I'm doing on the sim - both fixed wing and heli. I'm pretty sure that if I ever lose an engine or a tail rotor, I'll be able to successfully auto the ship down (so long as it's upright!) I've also made pretty good strides in inerted flight although to date my only real inverted flight has been a couple loops with the Blade. One thing that helped with the fixed wing (and I don't know why I haven't tried it with the nose-in stuff) is setting the time to 1/4 or 1/2 speed. It allowed me to think about control inputs before I actually needed them. Almost got rolling circles down at full speed thanks to that nifty feature. >PS: If it doesn't work, you can always go back to what you've been doing. >Just be sure to keep the model low so as to minimize the risks. Good luck! I just need to get out and fly for real. Kids, work, school, honey-do projects.. I'm amazed I find time to eat. :) >>> Training gear is for wussies. :) I'll just fire up the sim and >>> try... maybe. ehehe [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > > hehe, you sound like Beav.. Why, thank you! That's the nicest thing anyones said to me in a while. Hmmm, that's a sad thought, isn't it? ;-) >>Therein lies the problem with sims. It's too easy to break off into >>unproductive stuff. > > Actually, I try a lot of the time to be very precise in what I'm doing > on the sim - both fixed wing and heli. That's good, most people don't. > One thing that helped with the fixed wing (and I don't know why I > haven't tried it with the nose-in stuff) is setting the time to 1/4 or > 1/2 speed. It allowed me to think about control inputs before I > actually needed them. Almost got rolling circles down at full speed > thanks to that nifty feature. What sim are you using again? If it's the G3, I'll have to look into that. >>PS: If it doesn't work, you can always go back to what you've been doing. >>Just be sure to keep the model low so as to minimize the risks. Good >>luck! > > I just need to get out and fly for real. Kids, work, school, honey-do > projects.. I'm amazed I find time to eat. :) Understood! :-) Fly Safe, Steve R. >> hehe, you sound like Beav.. > >Why, thank you! That's the nicest thing anyones said to me in a while. >Hmmm, that's a sad thought, isn't it? ;-) Pretty sad state of affairs when a compliment could also be an insult. ehheh >>>Therein lies the problem with sims. It's too easy to break off into >>>unproductive stuff. [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > >That's good, most people don't. I didn't used to - just yanked and banked... >What sim are you using again? If it's the G3, I'll have to look into that. G2. Haven't picked up a new one yet (Reflex is my top choice of late) but this feature sure is nice to have. >> I just need to get out and fly for real. Kids, work, school, honey-do >> projects.. I'm amazed I find time to eat. :) > >Understood! :-) Funny, but my belly doesn't. Must be age slowing my metabolism... hehehe >>>>Therein lies the problem with sims. It's too easy to break off into >>>>unproductive stuff. [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > > I didn't used to - just yanked and banked... Actually, most folks bank first, then yank, but whatever pops your bubble! You into super tight barrel rolls? :-D >> I didn't used to - just yanked and banked... > >Actually, most folks bank first, then yank, but whatever pops your bubble! >You into super tight barrel rolls? :-D I've got an old 2M glider (I think it's the Gnome) I built about 20 years ago that does beautiful BIG barrel rolls.. Only a 3 channel, but the rudder throw is huge. Need a lot of altitude and a lot of speed to do 'em tho... > Simple question.. Thumbs only or thumbs and fingers to twiddle the > sticks?? [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > at me.. Which method is inherently "better" and would it be worth it > to learn the thumb/finger method? I'm late in on this one Kev, but my view is simple. Whihever feels best. No "one way" is best for all, or we'd all have single stick transmitters and be flying the blades off our heli's like Youngblood does. I started out using thumbs, but when I got a transmitter tray and learned how to use it, the fingers and thumb method proved to be better for me, so that's how I've flown ever since. A light grip (barely touching the sticks actually) makes a word of difference, but you DO need a tray to use the fingers and thumb method. Well I think so anyway:-) SignatureBeav Reply to "beavis dot original at ntlworld dot com" (with the obvious changes) >I'm late in on this one Kev, but my view is simple. Whihever feels best. No >"one way" is best for all, or we'd all have single stick transmitters and be >flying the blades off our heli's like Youngblood does. Hey, I fly the blades off my heli about once a week.... .....usually within 10 seconds of losing orientation. :) >I started out using thumbs, but when I got a transmitter tray and learned >how to use it, the fingers and thumb method proved to be better for me, so >that's how I've flown ever since. A light grip (barely touching the sticks >actually) makes a word of difference, but you DO need a tray to use the >fingers and thumb method. Well I think so anyway:-) I've tried time and again to go to finger/thumb, but just can't seem to find a groove with it.. Oh well.. I haven't crashed the Blade in over a week so I must be doing ok with the thumbs only. > A light grip (barely touching the sticks > actually) makes a word of difference, but you DO need a tray to use the > fingers and thumb method. Well I think so anyway:-) Only if you're using one of those crappy JR trannies, Futaba tx balances nicely on the neck strap ;-) Seriously tho...I can only control my RC car using thumbs, and can only control my helis using the pinch method - guess that goes to show that you get used to a certain feel. I changed my heli grip some while back still using the pinch grips but went from holding my tranny firmly with my small fingers round the back, to placing my hands more on the top round the gimbles. It took some time to get used to the new method, but I found that because my hand was less strained trying to grip the tranny, I have more control over the sticks. >> A light grip (barely touching the sticks >> actually) makes a word of difference, but you DO need a tray to use the >> fingers and thumb method. Well I think so anyway:-) > > Only if you're using one of those crappy JR trannies, Futaba tx > balances nicely on the neck strap ;-) Mine doesn't coz it doesn't HAVE a neckstrap, or even provision to attach ne (FC28) That thing comes with it's own tray, thank f.ck:-) > Seriously tho...I can only control my RC car using thumbs, and can only > control my helis using the pinch method - guess that goes to show that > you get used to a certain feel. I can't use thumbs with RC cars at all, but that's probably because the sterrring's done with a wheel and the throttle with a trigger:-))) > I changed my heli grip some while back still using the pinch grips but > went from holding my tranny firmly with my small fingers round the > back, to placing my hands more on the top round the gimbles. It took > some time to get used to the new method, but I found that because my > hand was less strained trying to grip the tranny, I have more control > over the sticks. I leave the trans holding to the tray. That way it can't fall, even when I trip up and fall over. (yes) SignatureBeav Reply to "beavis dot original at ntlworld dot com" (with the obvious changes) |
Reply to this Message |
 Sign In
 Join
 My Latest Posts My Monitored Threads My Blog My Photo Gallery My Profile My Homepage Start New Thread Enable EMail Alerts Rate this Thread
|
©2008 Advenet LLC Privacy Policy - Terms of Use
This website includes both content owned or controlled by Advenet as well as content owned or controlled by third parties.