How should I hold the tx sticks?

[K Car]

I'm a newbie with about a dozen weekends of flying my trex under my belt. The training wheels are off for good and hovering in different orientations is becoming more and more comfortable. I tend to use just my thumbs to move the sticks. I've noticed that alot of experienced pilots use their thumbs and index fingers. My question is am I developing a bad habit? Will this hurt my learning curve? Will I eventually have to go two fingers per stick and should just force myself now or am I ok with just the thumbs while I'm just beginning to learn? Any advice is welcome.

[cyclic fever]

each way is the pilots choice. One way isnt proven to be better than another, just whats comfortable and thats what makes you smooth on the controls. Heck, I've seen a guy fly with just his toes! :eek:

[Motions]

Here's a poll that might help you see how others fly.
http://www.wattflyer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2772

[K Car]

well, it looks like I should stick with what's comfortable. My hands are sort of small which makes it hard to get a good grip on the radio with the pinch method. I'll probably try pinching after I can fly better. I've tried using a neck strap, but I still lean towards thumbs. I guess it's whatever works for you.

[Motions]

I fly thumbs and always have. Every once in a while I'll try using the pinch method but I just can't do it. Not that I can't, it just doesn't feel right and feels like my travel is limited. I wish I could pinch because I'm pretty jerky with thumbs.

[tdswan]

When I started with planes, I used my thumbs. Once I started learning on the heli, I automatically went to the pinch method and didn't even realize it until a tank or two went through. I even tried to go back, but the habit stuck even when I flew my planes again.

[heliwild]

I am just starting out and I've tried to use the pinch method on the sim per advice from my pilot mentor but it just ain't happenin'. I started out using my thumbs and it felt fairly comfortable due to years of game playing I guess. I've tried the pinch method on occasion but I feel it restricts the movement of the sticks. So I'm sticking with the thumbs!!!!

[midi0101]

Do whatever feels comfortable. I started out using my thumbs and 're-learned' the pinch method. I think it gives me better controll.....but thats just me....
In the end, stick with what feels best..

Cheers,
Michael

[kiwipilot]

Another thumbs person here. Can hover with both but forward flight and nose in just seems awkward unless I use thumbs. I have small hands so the thumbs method feels better.

There's no right/worng - just what you feel comfortable with.

[axis]

They say that "pinching" the sticks is more accurate and that "thumbing" the sticks is more natural. When I learned to fly planks when I was a kid my instructor would harp on me about using my thumbs, so I learned to pinch the sticks. Now it feels weird to me to use my thumbs and not pinch the sticks. So as you probably guessed I'm a pincher. :D

I did see this on runryder today though. They are made just for people who fly with their thumbs.. Pretty cool I thought.
http://www.rcstyx.com