Front Control Stick Length with Infinity Grip

[wera710]

You want to leave the stick (with grip installed) as long as you can. Going FROM a normal grip TO a military style grip, I noticed a loss (small) of leverage on the stick when menuevering.

The lower your hand is on the stick, the more "felt" force it takes to deflect the ailerons. Its not a large amount, but for me it was noticable. With my old cheap plastic grip, the top of my hand was nearly flush with the top of the stick. Leverage as Van designed it. Control inputs felt relatively light.

With a Military style grip with large top, my hand is now an inch or more lower down the length of the stick. You give up some leverage. Minor leverage. But noticable when you are horsing the bird around.

So, my recommendation would be that regardless of where your hand rests in relaxed cross country flight or in relation to the seat cushions, set your grip as high as you can safely do it IF you plan on throwing the plane around the sky soemday. You can always grip the stick lower in more sedate flight.

[Stu McCurdy]

I bent my stick so the grip was more naturally in my lap without having to lean my arm/shoulder forward, yet I have full deflection of controls. I can go full forward and just hit the bottom of panel, and full back and the stick hits seat belt. Here is a picture from previous post where you can see the stick and grip.
http://www.vansairforce.com/communit...alled+AFS+5500