Windy's handles

[Brett Buck]

Is steve saying that thumb on the top of the handle is a bad habit and should be avoided when learning (Which I am!)?

  Yes!

   Brett

[Target]

What does that do? Limit the up throw?
R,
Chris

[Dave_Trible]

What does that do? Limit the up throw?
R,
Chris

Chris it might on some normal style handles where your thumb rides too high.  I've not noticed it to be an issue with mine though I know my thumb isn't on the rest all the time.  I don't consciously think about it actually.  It's just on the rest at certain unplanned points and I'm sure I'd miss it if the rest weren't there.  I've been using this basic handle design with a few tweaks for at least 25 years.

Dave

[Steve Helmick]

I believe the "thumb on the top" is a "sometimes" deal, and as such is just not a good idea. It helps cram in extra down when you think you need it...which is an indication that your plane isn't turning equal insides/outsides....in this case, bigger outsides.

Like Ted says, fix the plane, and don't compensate for bad trim by messing with the handle or "learning to compensate".  If Dave's handle was a snug fit on his 4 fingers (however big that is), he wouldn't need the pinky hole, IMO.  Steve 

[Steve Helmick]

If you can't yet fly inverted, learn to fly inverted with your handle held vertical, not horizontal. This is commonly seen, and doesn't help you later. If you already fly inverted and turn your handle horizontal, just stay with it, because you'll probably never be able to overcome the habit without a lot of crashing.

When I came back to CL, I could fly inverted, but noticed that I tended to tilt my handle about 30 deg counter clockwise (my view). It took me a couple years to unlearn that. I sometimes still do it, but try hard not to. It's a help to keep the handle vertical, at least because your coaching staff can tell you that your neutral isn't set correctly.

With the SV-11, I just could not keep the plane from doing a "skyrocket" takeoff after a 10' rollout. Mike and Pete both told me to adjust neutral. Months passed, and I finally did it. Takeoff fixed... <sigh>     Steve

[Target]

Dave and Steve, thanks. I can fly inverted, and as far as I know, I don't ever tilt my handle anywhere near horizontal.
That's how the gang members make their "kill shot" in the movies, LOL....
I'm still searching for a handle that I really love, haven't found one yet. I like the Mezjlik adjustable combat handle.
I'll make my own carbon handle eventually.