Arm rest for cyclic control? Foam pad ?

August 2, 2006

OK, so I got the shoe thing down and I am comfortable now. Here's another screwy thing.

I've been training in the Schweizer 300CB, the Cyclic is easy to reach if I rest my arm on my right leg, but I find that my hand will just not go "up" to grip the whole grip like it should, for example, my thumb will not reach the trim hat without me removing my arm from the spot on my leg, and as a result, if I need to use the trim hat, my flying gets sloppy while triming the Cyclic. It's much easier to fly relaxed when my arm is resting on my leg.

One of the female instructors we have, uses a foam pad that is about 2 inches high, it velcro straps to her right leg, hence giving her a place to rest her arm while flying.

Anyone else adapt and overcome in this fashion? Just curious. I'm ready to try it, but don't know if I can take the giggling that will result.

Warm regards,

Bristol

August 2, 2006

Get a helicopter with a T-bar cyclic! Very comfy.

Sorry.....couldn't resist.

August 2, 2006

Get a helicopter with a T-bar cyclic! Very comfy.

Sorry.....couldn't resist.

you sick twisted little man

August 2, 2006

Get a helicopter with a T-bar cyclic! Very comfy

Amen brother!

Long Live the Double-Deuce!!

August 2, 2006

T bar, looks odd to me?

August 3, 2006

move the pedals closer, your thigh will be up higher...thats what I did for external load training in the 300...I'd discourage the pad, tampax jokes are tough to rebuke. (not that I have any firsthand experience)

August 3, 2006

You could move the pedals closer, or just get used to moving your hand up onto the grip to trim, then rest it on your leg again. Seems to work for me, and most of my students.

August 3, 2006

Do what you can by rearranging your seating and pedals best you can first. (I mean your posture, rather than 'seat position'. the 300 CB seat is not readily moveable!)

Make sure that you are working around a good posture. Don't sacrafice that just so that you can get to the cyclic.

In the 300CB its easy to let your posture go, and end up after a few weeks with a sore lower back. I found this was largely due to the left skid lowness. Especially when sitting on the left side!?

Anyway, back to question:

I have seen a pad made from one of those neoprene beerbottle holders. Then stuffed with filling, a strap attached. Seemed to work pretty nice.

As with all things helicopter, the arm postion and the grip does sometimes cause trouble for people initially, but becomes less so as you fly more.

You could try using your forefinger to manipulate the cyclic trim instead too.

Unless you are 'abnormally' sized you should be able to fit the aircraft comfortably without aids. The hand position is awkward at first, but it'll come.

Joker

On posture: This is so important. If you want a career in helicopters, think about this NOW! Make a point to check your posture on every flight.

August 3, 2006

I don't try to grip the cyclic at the top, at least most of the time. Wherever my leg is, that's where my wrist is, more or less. With practice, you can move the trim without moving the cyclic. Practice makes perfect. I've flown lots of models, some with adjustable seats and pedals, some without, and it all works out with some practice. Wearing pads seems awfully clunky to me.

August 3, 2006

Qoute

Unless you are 'abnormally' sized you should be able to fit the aircraft comfortably without aids. The hand position is awkward at first, but it'll come.

Joker, I'm 5'9" 215 Lbs, so I'm about average size. That sounds like good advice, thanks.

If the seat in the 300CB is moveable, I haven't seen how. I've got the petals pretty close.

Anyway, getting better and more relaxed.

Thanks everyone

Bristol

August 3, 2006

Bristol,

The seat is not readily movable...I meant rearrange your posture.

Anyway, it sounds like you are not 'abnormal'.

The wrist position is odd at first. If you imagine a kid playing with an imaginary cyclic, his arm and wrist will be in a line; pretty much facing forward.

However, for the helicopter cyclic, you almost need to cock your wrist to the left, so that your fingers are pointing towards the left door. This will allow your arm to rest further up your leg (towards your knee) and it will be further from your body.

Good luck.

Joker

August 3, 2006

That pad idea sounds interesting. Maybe that old thighbrace from my kayak might do the trick.

The T-bar sits at a slightly odd angle for me and if the grip is up a couple of inches, it feels more natural. I can't explain it, but it feels better.

Pad?

August 3, 2006

Haven't flown the 300 yet.

This is a long shot maybe but you could try it.

I used to fly with a map holder strapped to my right leg in the Robbie which listed all of the local frequencies and ATIS etc.

You could try resting your arm on that. It would be easier to subtly put some foam underneath it to raise it a little.

Just an idea - but it might be worth trying.

August 3, 2006

One of the female instructors we have, uses a foam pad that is about 2 inches high, it velcro straps to her right leg, hence giving her a place to rest her arm while flying.

Cindy ???

If so, tell her Hello for me

Fly safe
Clark

August 3, 2006

Another option is a seat pad, to raise your entire body. Lots of pilots down here use seat cushions, although not usually for getting higher. 10 hours in the seat makes you look for some way to get a little more comfortable. I do know of one female pilot who uses both a seat cushion and a back rest, in order to get close enough to the controls, because she's pretty short.

August 4, 2006

Clark, Yep it's Cindy. I'll tell her you said hello.

Bristol

August 4, 2006

One other option is to move yourself forward in the seat with an accessory seatback (easy to find at auto-parts stores or the big-box stores). This will help if you are having to "reach" at all for the cyclic, and it can also help if you are getting elbow jam on the collective side.