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03-30-2011, 10:53 AM
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Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Bellevue, WA
Posts: 165
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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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Larry E. James
Bellevue, WA
Husky A1-C
Rocket (under construction)
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03-30-2011, 05:57 PM
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Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Dallas area
Posts: 10,768
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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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Mel Asberry, DAR since the last century.
EAA Flight Advisor/Tech Counselor, Friend of the RV-1
Recipient of Tony Bingelis Award and Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award
USAF Vet, High School E-LSA Project Mentor.
RV-6 Flying since 1993 (sold)
<rvmel(at)icloud.com>
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03-30-2011, 06:46 PM
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Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: San Diego, CA, U.S.A.
Posts: 770
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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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04-08-2011, 11:31 AM
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Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Bellevue, WA
Posts: 165
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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 !!
__________________
Larry E. James
Bellevue, WA
Husky A1-C
Rocket (under construction)
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04-11-2011, 08:36 AM
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Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Daytona Beach, FL
Posts: 3
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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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04-12-2011, 06:41 AM
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Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 659
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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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"Pilots: Looking down on people since 1903"
(author unknown)
RV-9, N556RM, O-320, Dual PMags, Catto 3 blade.
FLYING since 2018
Mosquito XEL ready for flight
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04-12-2011, 08:37 AM
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Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Glendale, AZ
Posts: 256
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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
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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__________________
Roger Whittier
RV7A Quick Build, Tip Up
N1MY Reserved - Canopy finished - Wings mated, Engine hung, electrical 95%
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04-12-2011, 08:51 AM
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Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 212
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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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Shannon
RV-10
Flying September 2015
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04-12-2011, 10:52 AM
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VAF Moderator / Line Boy
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Dayton, NV
Posts: 12,256
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Quote:
Originally Posted by civengpe
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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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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Paul F. Dye
Editor at Large - KITPLANES Magazine
RV-8 - N188PD - "Valkyrie"
RV-6 (By Marriage) - N164MS - "Mikey"
RV-3B - N13PL - "Tsamsiyu"
A&P, EAA Tech Counselor/Flight Advisor
Dayton Valley Airpark (A34)
http://Ironflight.com
Last edited by Ironflight : 04-12-2011 at 11:18 AM.
Reason: clarified for Infinity Grip
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04-12-2011, 10:58 AM
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Senior Curmudgeon
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Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Dayton Airpark, NV A34
Posts: 15,420
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Quote:
Originally Posted by civengpe
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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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
__________________
Mike Starkey
VAF 909
Rv-10, N210LM.
Flying as of 12/4/2010
Phase 1 done, 2/4/2011 
Sold after 240+ wonderful hours of flight.
"Flying the airplane is more important than radioing your plight to a person on the ground incapable of understanding or doing anything about it."
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