Author Topic: How Do You Position Your Free Arm While Flying? (Read 3656 times)

Shug Emery · « **on:** August 22, 2014, 09:04:23 PM »

I know I kinda keep mine down by my side and am slightly aware of it. My hand flicks when I feel I do good.
While watching others fly I notice many different ways of positioning the free arm. Hand on hip, across chest, the T Rex style position, Straight down, behind the back even.
How do you hold yours and why? Are you aware of it? Is there a method or reason for your style?
Just curious.
Thanks.
Shug

Randy Powell · « **Reply #1 on:** August 22, 2014, 09:52:49 PM »

I know Ted Fancher looks like Napoleon. His off hand seems to grip his shirt right over his heart.

Tim Wescott · « **Reply #2 on:** August 22, 2014, 10:49:24 PM »

In practice, I use it to flip the bird at my flying buddy when he laughs at me. Other than that, I'm not sure what I do with it.

Mark Scarborough · « **Reply #3 on:** August 22, 2014, 11:04:02 PM »

Quote from: Randy Powell on August 22, 2014, 09:52:49 PM

I know Ted Fancher looks like Napoleon. His off hand seems to grip his shirt right over his heart.

I tend to keep mine on my chest as well,, otherwise I look like a doofus ( well more than normal) flailing my hand about

Ted Fancher · « **Reply #4 on:** August 22, 2014, 11:09:36 PM »

I tried and tried to "hold my free arm" but every time I did I had to let go of the handle and I didn't have enough airplanes left to perfect it. I don't know how you guys do it!

Ted

Dane Martin · « **Reply #5 on:** August 22, 2014, 11:27:16 PM »

i put it in my pocket. or holding my soda. sometimes a cigar....

Perry Rose · « **Reply #6 on:** August 23, 2014, 04:13:32 AM »

Texting, pocket pool, swatting bugs, holding a mirror and flying with my back to the plane. Normal stuff.

PerttiMe · « **Reply #7 on:** August 23, 2014, 04:39:39 AM »

""""
Over or under

Allan knows exactly what he is doing when he asks Captain Haddock the infamous question about sleeping with your beard above or below the sheets: he is out to cause trouble. Underneath the rough and unsavoury exterior lurks the mind of a cunning psychologist, capable of stirring up his adversary with a few simple words.
""""
http://en.tintin.com/albums/show/id/43/page/0/0/the-red-sea-sharks

Peter Grabenstein · « **Reply #8 on:** August 23, 2014, 07:17:56 AM »

I fly righthanded, my left hand is centered underneath my belt,close to ......

like "Al Bundy style"

.
This gives me perfect balance

for the pattern

.

cheers Buddy

Shug Emery · « **Reply #9 on:** August 23, 2014, 07:32:02 AM »

Thanks for posting ya'll. A lot of comedians flying the control line)))))

Good stuff.
Shug

MikeCoulombe · « **Reply #10 on:** August 23, 2014, 07:57:20 AM »

I find myself using my left arm for balance, when I step ahead of rotation to plant my feet for a maneuver, also when I am flying the inverted laps I use the fingers to count off the laps, 6,5,judge,judge,2,1.

Eric Viglione · « **Reply #11 on:** August 23, 2014, 08:04:25 AM »

I found that if I don't pull my left hand up to my chest, that it will stay in the last position I sent it a command, which was a finger pointed wave to the left for launch signal, which is a pretty silly way to go through an entire flight. So, I opt for the left handed pledge stance.
EricV

RC Storick · « **Reply #12 on:** August 23, 2014, 08:10:06 AM »

My left hand use to hold a cigarette but sense I quit smoking I don't know whats it's doing. LOL

Avaiojet · « **Reply #13 on:** August 23, 2014, 08:23:12 AM »

I keep it loose, case I have to run backwards for slack lines.

Sean McEntee · « **Reply #14 on:** August 23, 2014, 08:51:57 AM »

Quote from: Shug Emery on August 23, 2014, 07:32:02 AM

Thanks for posting ya'll. A lot of comedians flying the control line)))))
Good stuff.
Shug

Aint that a fact!

A more sincere answer is this. I was taught to hold my hand to my chest like Ted and a few other folks. The idea is to keep your free arm as still as possible, given that your two arms are connected through your sholders, and movements with one arm can affect the other.

john e. holliday · « **Reply #15 on:** August 23, 2014, 08:53:57 AM »

I now use my hand or free arm for balance. Yes I still wave it around a bit. But, have tried to keep it on my chest with not very good results.

steve bittner · « **Reply #16 on:** August 23, 2014, 01:19:28 PM »

Right hand on the handle, left hand holding my pants up, maybe I can get suspenders, but what would I do with my arm then. LOL

john e. holliday · « **Reply #17 on:** August 23, 2014, 03:30:45 PM »

Steve, I wear suspenders. Guess I could hang onto them. Showed up at Brodaks one day and nobody recognized me.

Derek Barry · « **Reply #18 on:** August 23, 2014, 04:42:21 PM »

I keep my left arm down by my side but slightly away from my hip, maybe 6". I can feel it do strange things as I try to keep the plane rock solid in inverted flight. For the rest of the pattern I use it to feel for changes in the wind. I am very picky about maneuver placement. Sometimes 1-2 foot makes a big difference, especially when the wind gets up. Sometimes I feel myself reach out farther to get a clear read on the wind. This usually happens without thinking about it, I just notice because I can feel my arm out farther than normal. I am sure I look funny...

Derek

Matt Colan · « **Reply #19 on:** August 23, 2014, 04:54:24 PM »

I find my hand is on my side during upright level flight and then when I begin maneuvers my hand comes up to my chest for the duration of the maneuver. I have found lately after flying in shifty winds I use my hand to try and find the wind by bringing out from my body.

Brad Smith · « **Reply #20 on:** August 23, 2014, 05:29:02 PM »

i use my left hand to hold my beer when i fly. some times when im not holding my beer and I'm flying serious stunt "yea right" like a contest i might be scratching my head thinking man why did i pull out so low the first outside square. i have been watching Alan buck trying to fly more like him he has been kicking my but lately.

Tim Wescott · « **Reply #21 on:** August 23, 2014, 05:56:34 PM »

Between maneuvers I've often got my sweaty left palm out and facing back, hoping to feel the wind direction. During maneuvers I don't know where it is.

Steve Helmick · « **Reply #22 on:** August 23, 2014, 06:16:11 PM »

I fly with my right and use my left to feel the wind and maintain balance.

A couple of local (Salem and Richmond) pilot's circles are sloped, cracked, and not very flat in most quadrants. With my Peripheral Neuropathy, this causes me some trouble, but I have yet to completely fall over. I'm afraid the time is coming, tho.

Steve

RknRusty · « **Reply #23 on:** August 23, 2014, 08:38:21 PM »

Doc mentioned balance. On that subject some of you might want to try a daily exercise to improve your ability to balance. Choose some chore that you can do safely for a few minutes every day while standing on one leg. Like brushing your teeth or staring into the refrigerator. Switch legs regularly. I cannot do it very well barefooted, but am getting pretty good with my shoes on. Anything to make you more surefooted in the pilot circle has to be good. Needless to say, good comfortable snug shoes are always best I'm sure y'all know that.
Rusty

Randy Powell · « **Reply #24 on:** August 23, 2014, 09:53:06 PM »

Or watch Bruce Perry sometime. His off hand looks like he's trying to hold back the crowd of adoring admirers. Sort of holds it out and slightly behind him with his palm facing outward. Hilarious to watch, actually.

Steve Helmick · « **Reply #25 on:** August 23, 2014, 10:01:57 PM »

Quote from: Randy Powell on August 23, 2014, 09:53:06 PM

Or watch Bruce Perry sometime. His off hand looks like he's trying to hold back the crowd of adoring admirers. Sort of holds it out and slightly behind him with his palm facing outward. Hilarious to watch, actually.

I asked BP about that...he's feeling the wind direction. Might be a Canadian thing, 'cause Canadian F1A glider ace Ernie Avory (from BC) did the same thing while waiting to start towing up his (straight tow) glider. Towline and winch hanging over one shoulder, both arms out, hands spread, fingers (all) fluttering...when it was time, he grabbed the winch, hollered to the helper to wake up, and away he goes. Won 2nd in the WC about '63.

Steve

Carl Cisneros · « **Reply #26 on:** August 23, 2014, 11:28:20 PM »

With a 2 yr. old (new) right hip and now my left one is begining to go, I use my
left hand (and arm) for balance.
I tried it along side and Napolean style and started to lose my balance.

Go figure....................

Akihiro Danjo · « **Reply #27 on:** August 24, 2014, 12:48:28 AM »

Always hold the frame of my wheelchair not to fall off a chair

No free arm here.

Aki

Chris Wilson · « **Reply #28 on:** August 24, 2014, 03:16:34 AM »

I am surprised that no one from Combat or Team Race circles has replied with "self defence" yet!

PerttiMe · « **Reply #29 on:** August 24, 2014, 04:53:36 AM »

Quote from: Akihiro Danjo on August 24, 2014, 12:48:28 AM

Always hold the frame of my wheelchair not to fall off a chair
No free arm here.

Aki

So your friend is pointing you towards your airplane?

.-.-.-.-.
In Racing and Combat videos you often see people having the other hand around the next guy. I suppose that is so you know where he is, for balance, and for keeping the quick march of Racing co-ordinated.

Will Davis · « **Reply #30 on:** August 24, 2014, 07:49:10 AM »

Quote from: Derek Barry on August 23, 2014, 04:42:21 PM

I keep my left arm down by my side but slightly away from my hip, maybe 6". I can feel it do strange things as I try to keep the plane rock solid in inverted flight. For the rest of the pattern I use it to feel for changes in the wind. I am very picky about maneuver placement. Sometimes 1-2 foot makes a big difference, especially when the wind gets up. Sometimes I feel myself reach out farther to get a clear read on the wind. This usually happens without thinking about it, I just notice because I can feel my arm out farther than normal. I am sure I look funny...

Derek

Below is a video of Derek taken a couple years should at Joe Nall during a trim flight on the Sweeper , the video quality is not very good, I was too close to get most of the flight .. but it shows what Derek is talking about on hand position

john e. holliday · « **Reply #31 on:** August 24, 2014, 08:20:21 AM »

I can see why Derek is a top 5 or 10 contender at the NATS. Also Rusty try the balance routine using a 3 inch hick foam pad with your eyes closed in your stocking feet, no shoes.

Jim Kraft · « **Reply #32 on:** August 24, 2014, 05:08:01 PM »

I have had inner ear infection twice in my life where I could not even stand up with out falling over. It still effects me some times in the overhead 8's. That is when I need my left arm to help. I also sometimes have trouble in the dark as I cannot keep my balance when I cannot see my surroundings.

Tom Niebuhr · « **Reply #33 on:** August 24, 2014, 05:29:20 PM »

Don't think about your free hand.

Many moons ago a group of us went bowling. Someone mentioned our free hands. From that point on we saw many more than normal gutter balls!

Ted Fancher · « **Reply #34 on:** August 24, 2014, 10:46:52 PM »

Quote from: Akihiro Danjo on August 24, 2014, 12:48:28 AM

Always hold the frame of my wheelchair not to fall off a chair
No free arm here.

Aki

You da' man, Aki! Where is your flying site??

Ted Fancher

Tim Wescott · « **Reply #35 on:** August 24, 2014, 10:53:49 PM »

Quote from: Akihiro Danjo on August 24, 2014, 12:48:28 AM

Always hold the frame of my wheelchair not to fall off a chair
No free arm here.

Aki

Aki, that is way cool.

Shug Emery · « **Reply #36 on:** August 24, 2014, 11:07:27 PM »

Thank you for all the replies everybody. This is very informative and interesting to me.
Shug

Akihiro Danjo · « **Reply #37 on:** August 25, 2014, 03:59:06 AM »

Quote from: PerttiMe on August 24, 2014, 04:53:36 AM

So your friend is pointing you towards your airplane?

Yes, my friend, Nakabayashi san, turns my wheelchair. He is also a F2B flyer and had ever gone to the US Nats.

Thanks, Ted san and Tim san.
The photo was taken at F2B Japan Nats in '11 or '12, on an official practice day.
The site is a large car park and we rent it to hold the Nats.
We usually fly C/L on the grass in a riverbed with Nakabayashi, Kaz, Hiki and Yokoyama family etc etc.
Aki

Scott Richlen · « **Reply #38 on:** August 25, 2014, 05:12:05 AM »

Okay Shug - here's what you do:

During loops, pat yourself on the head. During your square eights, rub your tummy in a circular fashion.

Oh, and when you get to the overhead eights, zip up your fly!

Scott

Doug Burright · « **Reply #39 on:** August 25, 2014, 11:48:29 PM »

I think my free arm is doing Joe Cocker impersonations when I'm flying. Occasionally, I notice my fingers in awkward contortions when I'm buzzing around. Seems like it has a mind of it's own...

Shug Emery · « **Reply #40 on:** August 27, 2014, 08:27:02 AM »

When I flew lst night I came to the conclusion that the free arm...my right...is doing more than I thought in a passive way. Plus I seem to touch my face some after hard maneuvers. Fingers twitch and such. I think it has my flying arms back really.
Shug

john e. holliday · « **Reply #41 on:** August 28, 2014, 08:15:58 AM »

How many now realize the pucker power when you almost kiss the surface of the flying circle while doing a maneuver?

Chris Wilson · « **Reply #42 on:** August 28, 2014, 04:40:45 PM »

Quote from: john e. holliday on August 28, 2014, 08:15:58 AM

How many now realize the pucker power when you almost kiss the surface of the flying circle while doing a maneuver?

Yep, water tight to 40 fathoms!

Curare · « **Reply #43 on:** August 28, 2014, 04:45:13 PM »

Quote from: Akihiro Danjo on August 25, 2014, 03:59:06 AM

Yes, my friend, Nakabayashi san, turns my wheelchair. He is also a F2B flyer and had ever gone to the US Nats.

Thanks, Ted san and Tim san.
The photo was taken at F2B Japan Nats in '11 or '12, on an official practice day.
The site is a large car park and we rent it to hold the Nats.
We usually fly C/L on the grass in a riverbed with Nakabayashi, Kaz, Hiki and Yokoyama family etc etc.
Aki

Very cool Aki!

Norm Faith Jr. · « **Reply #44 on:** August 28, 2014, 10:26:58 PM »

There is a flyer over in Dallas...It was always as interesting to watch him as well as watching his plane. His left hand would almost be pointing at the plane as he seemed to be "drawing in the air," the shape of the maneuver. Darn good pilot, haven't seen him fly for some time now. As for me? God only knows where it's at; where ever it is...it darn sure don't help my scores.
Norm

Ted Fancher · « **Reply #45 on:** August 30, 2014, 09:38:19 PM »

Quote from: Akihiro Danjo on August 25, 2014, 03:59:06 AM

Yes, my friend, Nakabayashi san, turns my wheelchair. He is also a F2B flyer and had ever gone to the US Nats.

Thanks, Ted san and Tim san.
The photo was taken at F2B Japan Nats in '11 or '12, on an official practice day.
The site is a large car park and we rent it to hold the Nats.
We usually fly C/L on the grass in a riverbed with Nakabayashi, Kaz, Hiki and Yokoyama family etc etc.
Aki

Kaz and Hiki, huh! You've sure got a couple of the best from whom to learn. Real champions and fine gentlemen.

Keep at it A.D. You've got an admiration society in the U.S.!

Ted

Ted

Brett Buck · « **Reply #46 on:** August 30, 2014, 09:59:00 PM »

Quote from: Ted Fancher on August 30, 2014, 09:38:19 PM

Kaz and Hiki, huh! You've sure got a couple of the best from whom to learn. Real champions and fine gentlemen.

Yokoyama Sr and Jr are both pretty slick, it seems, if the WC results are any indication. Gentlemen and champions indeed!

Brett

Ted Fancher · « **Reply #47 on:** August 30, 2014, 10:15:22 PM »

Quote from: Brett Buck on August 30, 2014, 09:59:00 PM

Yokoyama Sr and Jr are both pretty slick, it seems, if the WC results are any indication. Gentlemen and champions indeed!

Brett

Hmmmm. That appears to be quite a deep "riverbed" they fly in doesn't it. The Napa circle appears to be in jeopardy!

Ted

Author Topic: How Do You Position Your Free Arm While Flying? (Read 3656 times)

Eric Viglione