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  #11  
Old 03-30-2011, 10:53 AM
larryj larryj is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Bellevue, WA
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Wow, thanks for the replies so-far. More welcome. The concensus seems to lean towards offset; normal to one's arm.

A little more background:
It seems intuitive to me at first glance for the stick grip to be oriented normal to the aircraft. In nearly all of my design (medical devices) we use this axiom as our baseline. However, I have flown the vast majority of my time with two-fingers; rarely griping the stick with a full fist grip. This would indicate the orientation of the stick grip is only important in higher stress / higher load situations when one does fully grip the control. I can reason/argue with myself all day on which orientation is better, which is why I posted the question here. I am surprised to learn that the military (or otherwise government funded; no dig here, just envy) hardware has offset controls. Which is good enough for me to switch my leaning.
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  #12  
Old 03-30-2011, 05:57 PM
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If the grip is designed to "fit your fingers", why in the world would you install it so that you have to "make your fingers fit it"? Wouldn't that be defeating the purpose?
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  #13  
Old 03-30-2011, 06:46 PM
roee roee is offline
 
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Location: San Diego, CA, U.S.A.
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Default Over-application of a concept

My $0.02: I think the reasoning presented in favor of orienting the grip normal to the axes of the aircraft rather than to the natural position of the hand was based on a valid idea, but mis-applied in this case.

The motion of the stick should be, and is, lined up with the corresponding axes of the aircraft. Fwd-aft is pitch, left-right is roll. This is where the idea of maintaining a matched geometry to the airframe naturally applies, which I think everyone here agrees.

The orientation of the stick grip is another matter. It is independent of the motion of the stick, and can be determined based on different considerations. I would argue that it is best dictated by ergonomics, letting the hand and wrist rest in a natural and comfortable position. And it sounds like the the military and commercial aircraft industries have arrived at that same conclusion.
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  #14  
Old 04-08-2011, 11:31 AM
larryj larryj is offline
 
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Location: Bellevue, WA
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Default finalized at 22 degrees

Just to wrap this up, I positioned my grip offset 22 degrees from normal. Input here was all inclusive from normal to the aircraft centerline to offset; the majority favoring and reasoning the offset anywhere from 12 degrees to 30 degrees. I arrived at 22 degrees by sitting in the aircraft making engine noises - which is far from where I started my thinking. Thanks everyone for your input !!
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  #15  
Old 04-11-2011, 08:36 AM
Fixer Fixer is offline
 
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I used to be a Crew Chief on F-15 when I was in the Air Force, and if I remember correctly the stick was neutral.
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  #16  
Old 04-12-2011, 06:41 AM
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Robert M Robert M is offline
 
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....and then there are the side-by-side aircraft that have the throttle controls in the center of the panel. The left hand is then used to manipulate the control stick. If the grip is twisted for the right hand (righties flying with right hand) then the left hand will have to make some interesting adjustments to the feel off the grip. Of course, this really only plays in when one is in the pattern at an airport and the right hand (center throttle controls) is glued to the throttle controls - or at least that was the way I was taught.

One more little distaction when the pilot is at his busiest?
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  #17  
Old 04-12-2011, 08:37 AM
rwhittier rwhittier is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Glendale, AZ
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Default Grip position

I just installed my Infinity grips. Playing around I also came to the conclusion that 22 degrees was just right, influenced by your post but confirmed by what seemed most comfortable for me. Thanks for this thread, it helped a lot.

Quote:
Originally Posted by larryj View Post
Just to wrap this up, I positioned my grip offset 22 degrees from normal. Input here was all inclusive from normal to the aircraft centerline to offset; the majority favoring and reasoning the offset anywhere from 12 degrees to 30 degrees. I arrived at 22 degrees by sitting in the aircraft making engine noises - which is far from where I started my thinking. Thanks everyone for your input !!
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  #18  
Old 04-12-2011, 08:51 AM
civengpe civengpe is offline
 
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How hard is it to change the orientation after you install the grip?

I ask, because what if what you think will work while building is not all that comfortable once you start flying?
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  #19  
Old 04-12-2011, 10:52 AM
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Ironflight Ironflight is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by civengpe View Post
How hard is it to change the orientation after you install the grip?

I ask, because what if what you think will work while building is not all that comfortable once you start flying?
For an Infinity grip, you'll be drilling a hole through the stick (a pretty good sized one) to hold the grip on, so changing it later is pretty much getting a new stick. Not a huge deal if your stick is straight, but for the bent stick guys, you have to have the new one bent as well....

Paul
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Last edited by Ironflight : 04-12-2011 at 11:18 AM. Reason: clarified for Infinity Grip
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  #20  
Old 04-12-2011, 10:58 AM
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Mike S Mike S is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by civengpe View Post
How hard is it to change the orientation after you install the grip?

I ask, because what if what you think will work while building is not all that comfortable once you start flying?
I used the Tosten grip in my 10, it is held in place with a set screw. I just left it loose until I figured out exactly where I wanted it.

Gonna have to tighten that set screw one of these days.

http://www.tostenmanufacturing.com/i...00&image_h=300
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