Basic question

[[email protected]]

As I have only ever flown Cessnas, I have a basic question. When
flying a stick plane like an RV-7. What hand do people fly with? On
a yoke I generally used 2 but if I had to use one to do something else
I would keep the left on the yoke. However, I don't know how
comfortable I would feel flying exclusively with the left hand on a
stick. I ask as I am playing on flight simulator and would prefer to
learn how it is actually done. If I have to learn to use the left
hand I will.

Thanks

Barry

[R]

wrote:
> As I have only ever flown Cessnas, I have a basic question. When
> flying a stick plane like an RV-7. What hand do people fly with? … If I have to learn to use the left
> hand I will.
>
> Thanks
>
> Barry
>
Learn to fly using either hand on the yoke or stick.
There are very few reasons to use two hands on the yoke or stick, if,
ever, in most applications.
For most operations only one hand is ever needed to manipulate the
control yoke or stick, and usually only a couple of fingers at that,
leaving the other hand free for the throttle and radios, or, switches
and other adjustments.
If you ever advance to an actual airplanes you will find that various
combinations are required according to the configuration of the
particular airplane you are in, or, the particular seat you may be in.
Often times, no hand, is required on the control yoke or stick and you
may be able to use just a single fingertip to effectively apply the
desired inputs.
Learn to lightly manipulate or caress the controls with small and
gradual inputs.

Go take a flying lesson in a real airplane.

[bildan]

On Feb 13, 7:39*am, R > wrote:
> wrote:
> > As I have only ever flown Cessnas, I have a basic question. *When
> > flying a stick plane like an RV-7. *What hand do people fly with? … *If I have to learn to use the left
> > hand I will.
>
> > Thanks
>
> > Barry
>
> Learn to fly using either hand on the yoke or stick.
> There are very few reasons to use two hands on the yoke or stick, if,
> ever, in most applications.
> For most operations only one hand is ever needed to manipulate the
> control yoke or stick, and usually only a couple of fingers at that,
> leaving the other hand free for the throttle and radios, or, switches
> and other adjustments.
> If you ever advance to an actual airplanes you will find that various
> combinations are required according to the configuration of the
> particular airplane you are in, or, the particular seat you may be in.
> Often times, no hand, is required on the control yoke or stick and you
> may be able to use just a single fingertip to effectively apply the
> desired inputs.
> Learn to lightly manipulate or caress the controls with small and
> gradual inputs.
>
> Go take a flying lesson in a real airplane.

Of course, learn to fly with either hand. Real pilots do.

Just to relate my experience as a flight instructor in gliders which
all have control sticks - many pilots transitioning to gliders from
yoke airplanes have trouble with the stick. It took me awhile to
understand what was giving them problems.

The big thing seems to be that the important fiddly stuff is on the
left side of the cockpit in stick equipped aircraft but on the right
in control yoke aircraft.

I don't know why it should be but it seems pilots trained in stick
equipped aircraft have less trouble transitioning to control yokes
than the other way around.

In any event, once I point this out, and the pilot thinks about it,
the problem seems to go away. Some will use both hands on the stick
with their left on top so it can release the stick when reaching for a
left side control leaving the right on the stick.

[Wayne Paul]

> wrote in message
...
> As I have only ever flown Cessnas, I have a basic question. When
> flying a stick plane like an RV-7. What hand do people fly with? On
> a yoke I generally used 2 but if I had to use one to do something else
> I would keep the left on the yoke. However, I don't know how
> comfortable I would feel flying exclusively with the left hand on a
> stick. I ask as I am playing on flight simulator and would prefer to
> learn how it is actually done. If I have to learn to use the left
> hand I will.
>
> Thanks
>
> Barry


Personally I fly with my right hand. However, flying with my left hand
isn't a problem when adjusting power setting, etc in a yoke configured
aircraft like a Cessna.

Military fighter/attack aircraft are configured to be flown with your right
hand on the stick and left hand operates throttles, speed brakes, gear, etc.
This configuration is also standard in most old tail draggers like Champs
and Cubs. Most sailplane controls also follow this configuration. Right
hand on the stick, left hand operates the gear, spoilers and flaps.

I have flown with military pilots who were left handed and noticed that they
easily adapted to using the right hand configuration. I don't see why
adapting to an aircraft configured with a left and stick should be a
problem. The most important thing is to develop a light touch on the stick.
http://www.soaridaho.com/photogallery/Mackay/17900_MSL.jpg
In the picture I am flying with my left hand while operating the camera with
my right. Not a problem except a bit too much pressure on right rudder
peddle. (On this Schreder HP-14 sailplane the flaps are operated with the
left hand and the gear with the right hand.)

Wayne
HP-14 "6F"
http://www.soaridaho.com/Schreder

[Frank Stutzman[_3_]]

wrote:
> As I have only ever flown Cessnas, I have a basic question. When
> flying a stick plane like an RV-7. What hand do people fly with?

Depends upon where the throttle is. One hand on the stick/yoke, the
other on the throttle.

Don't forget that most planes with side-by-side seating can be flown
from the right seat, which means (generalization) that the right
hand is on the stick/yoke and the left is on the throttle.

Nobody who flys a real plane uses two hands on the stick/yoke.

--
Frank Stutzman
Bonanza N494B "Hula Girl"
Boise, ID

[Wayne Paul]

"Frank Stutzman" > wrote in message
...
> wrote:

.... Snip ...
> --
> Frank Stutzman
> Bonanza N494B "Hula Girl"
> Boise, ID
>

Frank,

Where do you keep your Bonanza (Boise, Nampa, Caldwell?)

Wayne
HP-14 based at Nampa
http://www.soaridaho.com/

PS. I tried to email you directly, but it bounced.

[cavelamb[_2_]]

wrote:
> As I have only ever flown Cessnas, I have a basic question. When
> flying a stick plane like an RV-7. What hand do people fly with? On
> a yoke I generally used 2 but if I had to use one to do something else
> I would keep the left on the yoke. However, I don't know how
> comfortable I would feel flying exclusively with the left hand on a
> stick. I ask as I am playing on flight simulator and would prefer to
> learn how it is actually done. If I have to learn to use the left
> hand I will.
>
> Thanks
>
> Barry
>

The hand on the opposite side from the throttle, of course.

[R]

Barry:

Since, you are posting from a velocity.net address, and to build on
bildan's and Wayne Paul's comments:

When the weather improves after April 15 why don't you get to either,
Dart Field near Mayville, NY, (Airport ID: D79)
or
Brokenstraw Airport near Youngsville, PA, (Airport ID: P15)
Take an "introductory gilder ride" and learn how a stick feels and how
to use it. The cost of an introductory glider ride is quite reasonable
and you will be riding with an experienced commercial pilot or a CFIG
glider instructor.
It will make you a better pilot when you encounter other planes that
have a stick or have yokes. If you build upon that glider experience it
will make you a better power pilot. You will interchange the use of the
hand on the glider's spoilers for the use of the hand with the throttle
in a powered plane. The use of the stick or yoke and your hands will
eventually come naturally when you stop worrying about it.

[Orval Fairbairn[_2_]]

In article
>,
wrote:

> As I have only ever flown Cessnas, I have a basic question. When
> flying a stick plane like an RV-7. What hand do people fly with? On
> a yoke I generally used 2 but if I had to use one to do something else
> I would keep the left on the yoke. However, I don't know how
> comfortable I would feel flying exclusively with the left hand on a
> stick. I ask as I am playing on flight simulator and would prefer to
> learn how it is actually done. If I have to learn to use the left
> hand I will.
>
> Thanks
>
> Barry

Either hand works equally well. I have a 2-plc side-by-side and fly with
left hand on stick, right hand on throttle. Some of my friends fly their
SX-300s from the right seat.

The AF Academy had their TG-14 Ximango motor gliders set up with the PIC
in the right seat, so the stick and throttle configuration resembles
that of fighters.

The big things to remember when transitioning up to an RV-7 (moreso with
a Glasair) are:

1. You fly them with your fingertips/toe tips, by pressure, not control
movement

2. You have to plan much further ahead of the plane, as things go by
three times as fast.

3. You will realize that the Cessnas/Pipers, Beeches handle like trucks,
compared to your homebuilt.

--
Remove _'s from email address to talk to me.

[cavelamb[_2_]]

Orval Fairbairn wrote:
> In article
> >,
> wrote:
>
>> As I have only ever flown Cessnas, I have a basic question. When
>> flying a stick plane like an RV-7. What hand do people fly with? On
>> a yoke I generally used 2 but if I had to use one to do something else
>> I would keep the left on the yoke. However, I don't know how
>> comfortable I would feel flying exclusively with the left hand on a
>> stick. I ask as I am playing on flight simulator and would prefer to
>> learn how it is actually done. If I have to learn to use the left
>> hand I will.
>>
>> Thanks
>>
>> Barry
>
> Either hand works equally well. I have a 2-plc side-by-side and fly with
> left hand on stick, right hand on throttle. Some of my friends fly their
> SX-300s from the right seat.
>
> The AF Academy had their TG-14 Ximango motor gliders set up with the PIC
> in the right seat, so the stick and throttle configuration resembles
> that of fighters.
>
> The big things to remember when transitioning up to an RV-7 (moreso with
> a Glasair) are:
>
> 1. You fly them with your fingertips/toe tips, by pressure, not control
> movement
>
> 2. You have to plan much further ahead of the plane, as things go by
> three times as fast.
>
> 3. You will realize that the Cessnas/Pipers, Beeches handle like trucks,
> compared to your homebuilt.
>

3. Continued
If all you have ever flown is Cessna and Piper (stable airplanes) your
homebuilt will feel totally squirrelly - until you get used to it.

THEN the spam cans will handle like trucks...

[Orval Fairbairn[_2_]]

In article >,
cavelamb > wrote:

> Orval Fairbairn wrote:
> > In article
> > >,
> > wrote:
> >
> >> As I have only ever flown Cessnas, I have a basic question. When
> >> flying a stick plane like an RV-7. What hand do people fly with? On
> >> a yoke I generally used 2 but if I had to use one to do something else
> >> I would keep the left on the yoke. However, I don't know how
> >> comfortable I would feel flying exclusively with the left hand on a
> >> stick. I ask as I am playing on flight simulator and would prefer to
> >> learn how it is actually done. If I have to learn to use the left
> >> hand I will.
> >>
> >> Thanks
> >>
> >> Barry
> >
> > Either hand works equally well. I have a 2-plc side-by-side and fly with
> > left hand on stick, right hand on throttle. Some of my friends fly their
> > SX-300s from the right seat.
> >
> > The AF Academy had their TG-14 Ximango motor gliders set up with the PIC
> > in the right seat, so the stick and throttle configuration resembles
> > that of fighters.
> >
> > The big things to remember when transitioning up to an RV-7 (moreso with
> > a Glasair) are:
> >
> > 1. You fly them with your fingertips/toe tips, by pressure, not control
> > movement
> >
> > 2. You have to plan much further ahead of the plane, as things go by
> > three times as fast.
> >
> > 3. You will realize that the Cessnas/Pipers, Beeches handle like trucks,
> > compared to your homebuilt.
> >
>
> 3. Continued
> If all you have ever flown is Cessna and Piper (stable airplanes) your
> homebuilt will feel totally squirrelly - until you get used to it.
>
> THEN the spam cans will handle like trucks...

Actually, the homebuilts are stable -- it is just the controls that are
much lighter.

The early B35 Bonanzas had nice controls, but got heave about in the
1960s. I guess that too many pilots got into trouble when they went VFR
into IFR conditions and needed heavy feel to tell them that they were
maneuvering too hard.

--
Remove _'s from email address to talk to me.

[cavelamb[_2_]]

Orval Fairbairn wrote:
> In article >,
> cavelamb > wrote:
>
>> Orval Fairbairn wrote:
>>> In article
>>> >,
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>>> As I have only ever flown Cessnas, I have a basic question. When
>>>> flying a stick plane like an RV-7. What hand do people fly with? On
>>>> a yoke I generally used 2 but if I had to use one to do something else
>>>> I would keep the left on the yoke. However, I don't know how
>>>> comfortable I would feel flying exclusively with the left hand on a
>>>> stick. I ask as I am playing on flight simulator and would prefer to
>>>> learn how it is actually done. If I have to learn to use the left
>>>> hand I will.
>>>>
>>>> Thanks
>>>>
>>>> Barry
>>> Either hand works equally well. I have a 2-plc side-by-side and fly with
>>> left hand on stick, right hand on throttle. Some of my friends fly their
>>> SX-300s from the right seat.
>>>
>>> The AF Academy had their TG-14 Ximango motor gliders set up with the PIC
>>> in the right seat, so the stick and throttle configuration resembles
>>> that of fighters.
>>>
>>> The big things to remember when transitioning up to an RV-7 (moreso with
>>> a Glasair) are:
>>>
>>> 1. You fly them with your fingertips/toe tips, by pressure, not control
>>> movement
>>>
>>> 2. You have to plan much further ahead of the plane, as things go by
>>> three times as fast.
>>>
>>> 3. You will realize that the Cessnas/Pipers, Beeches handle like trucks,
>>> compared to your homebuilt.
>>>
>> 3. Continued
>> If all you have ever flown is Cessna and Piper (stable airplanes) your
>> homebuilt will feel totally squirrelly - until you get used to it.
>>
>> THEN the spam cans will handle like trucks...
>
> Actually, the homebuilts are stable -- it is just the controls that are
> much lighter.
>
> The early B35 Bonanzas had nice controls, but got heave about in the
> 1960s. I guess that too many pilots got into trouble when they went VFR
> into IFR conditions and needed heavy feel to tell them that they were
> maneuvering too hard.
>

Most of the higher performance homebuilts that I've flown are the same.
The controls load up at high speeds.

At least the Tailwind and T-18 did...
But at low speeds they are both light as a feather.

[Gig 601Xl Builder]

wrote:
> As I have only ever flown Cessnas, I have a basic question. When
> flying a stick plane like an RV-7. What hand do people fly with? On
> a yoke I generally used 2 but if I had to use one to do something else
> I would keep the left on the yoke. However, I don't know how
> comfortable I would feel flying exclusively with the left hand on a
> stick. I ask as I am playing on flight simulator and would prefer to
> learn how it is actually done. If I have to learn to use the left
> hand I will.
>
> Thanks
>
> Barry
>


Kind of depends where the throttle is but in the 601XL I'm building it
will be left hand on the stick right on the throttle which is pretty
much like I flew every Cessna, Piper and Beech I ever flew.

I put the throttle in the middle and opted to not use the center Y stick
in my 601 because I'm very right handed and wanted the hand that is free
to do things like write notes, and adjust GPS, Radios and such to be my
right hand.

You say you flew the Cessna with both hands but when you really needed
fine adjustment (on take-off and landing) I'll bet you flew left on yoke
and right on throttle.

[Dana M. Hague[_2_]]

wrote:
>> As I have only ever flown Cessnas, I have a basic question. When
>> flying a stick plane like an RV-7. What hand do people fly with? On
>> a yoke I generally used 2 but if I had to use one to do something else
>> I would keep the left on the yoke. However, I don't know how
>> comfortable I would feel flying exclusively with the left hand on a
>> stick. I ask as I am playing on flight simulator and would prefer to
>> learn how it is actually done. If I have to learn to use the left
>> hand I will.

Most aircraft with sticks are flown right hand on the stick, left hand
on the throttle.

In an aircraft with a wheel, most instructors will yell at you if you
use both hands on the wheel... left hand on the wheel, right hand on
the throttle.

Switching from one to the other is no trouble, you get used to it very
quickly.

If it's a center stick, you can switch hands if you need your right
hand for something. That's more awkward if it's a side stick like on
my plane.

I learned to fly with a wheel but prefer (and currently fly) a stick.

-Dana

--
There are 3 kinds of people: those who can count & those who can't.

[Bear Bottoms[_4_]]

On Fri, 13 Feb 2009 06:07:59 -0800 (PST), wrote:

> As I have only ever flown Cessnas, I have a basic question. When
> flying a stick plane like an RV-7. What hand do people fly with?

Which hand do you beat your meat with?

Use the other.
--
Bear Bottoms
Private Attorney General