Controls: Both hands or just one?

[hangar3]

Hey!

Went flying in Switzerland yesterday with a Swiss instructor in a C172, and he grilled me when I performed a takeoff and landing with my left hand on the controls, and the right on the throttle. I was a bit shocked. He stated I should have both hands on the controls, but didn't explain why when I asked. I was told during my training to always keep one hand on the throttle so that you can easily add/reduce power and quicken your response to emergencies or whatever situation. What's your take on this? No one ever told me to use both hands on he yoke anywhere else.

hangar3

[RKittine]

That is the way I always teach it in anything with control resistance light enough to control with one hand. Same on take off.

[jjbaker]

I've had only one (out of ~ 20 I flew with) tell me that, but he also sang my name, talked constantly and was overall funky to deal with.
Personal preference (depending on how heavy the plane is on the elevator during takeoff and landing). If you can handle it with one hand, do it with one.

[Tim McCormack]

I, too, was taught to keep one hand on the throttle, particularly during take off, for the reasons you stated.

[skimmerone]

The other reason is to make sure it stays at full throttle, instead of the control vibrating and creeping back to a lower setting. Especially true in multi-engine aircraft many of which have a friction lock to prevent this. You haven't lived until you forgot the friction lock, took your hand off the throttles to raise the gear, and have all those nice levers moving aft on there own as you are climbing out over the trees......

[RKittine]

The vibration is for sure a possible culprit, but think of all the other times when it just makes plain sense or is required.

1. - Glassy water landings. Want to hold the wheel with two hands and then try to get the controls back and the throttle closed.
2. - Multi-Engine, engine failure on take off below VMC. Better haver the hands on the throttles.
3. - Wheel landings in a taildragger

Does that instructor also teach two hands on a Stick aircraft?

I am sure people can add more to the list.

Best, Bob

[hangar3]

Well it's settled, I won't try to break that habit! Thanks for the replies! hahaha
I was really shocked because he really made a huge deal out of it, and it was the first thing he wrote down on the flight review afterwards! (of all the things I thought I did wrong... hahaha )

cheers!

[RKittine]

You should send him copies of all of the responses. Cheers - Bob

[CFII]

Ditto all of the above. Does he have not-so-strong arms or something. If primary flight controls are uncomfortably heavy, two handed control is indicated IF throttle control has properly functioning setting retainer.

I actually LENGTHENED a stick in an experimental aircraft because I didn't like the geometry of its heavy stick forces -problem solved and allowing for one handed operation when desired, which is almost always.

One hand on the throttle unless performing another task was also a common rule of old pilots....

Forwarding the instructor these posts is a helpful educational tool as well.

[Float Pilot]

When down low...
One on the stick and one on the gas.
Letting go of one, might lead to a crash.
Alex Clark

[KlausNW]

I have an experience in a Cessna once when the seat let go and slid back. Because of my training requiring me to always have one hand on the throttle during take off and landings, I was able to hold on to the throttle friction lock and pull myself forward.

If I had both hands on the controls, it would have been a very difficult recovery from the seat slide back incident.

[RKittine]

You may remember the 172 in New Jersey (I think it was in New Jersey) that was 14 years old, the seat latch let lose on a takeoff, the father pilot had his hands on the yoke, the plane pitched up, stalled and kill he and his son who was a passenger. It resulted in a $90 something thousand dollar punitive damage on top of the regular damages awarded and resulted in both a sharp up tick in Cessna prices to cover product liability costs as well as the AD requiring the seat locks.

Of course that can happen one handed too. A guy in a Super Decathalon at Clow Airport in Plainfield, Illinois back in the late 80s, had a seat back break while starting a loop and with the stick back, before the pilot could get the stick forward, the plane ended up straight up, ran out of speed and did a tail slide, which resulted in a separation of a wing and the obvious result. (As per the investigator).

When I bought my Champ I noticed that the seat frames had been reinforced. Glenn, was it that way when you got it or did you do that? Makes me feel more comfortable.

Bob

[Tim McCormack]

That's why I always use both hands to cover my eyes when I take off.

[Float Pilot]

You just made me spit tea all over my keyboard

[akavidflyer]

That's why I always use both hands to cover my eyes when I take off.

JJ you need to work on code for a "like" button

[CFII]

Most of the female flight students I've had are two handers but, they also learn to be very fast and efficient on the trim and throttle.

[jjbaker]

I can't get the picture of Tim covering both his eyes during takeoff out of my system. Been chuckling about that all night.
Nominated for funniest post of the year, and if just for posts like this, we need a like button... hahahaa!

[S Robichaud]

Most of the female flight students I've had are two handers but, they also learn to be very fast and efficient on the trim and throttle.

Remember to keep this PG rated.....or at least I need to work on keeping the thoughts in my head PG

[jjbaker]

Dave, I've never seen a female pilot with three hands. Do you mean they solely manipulated the stick with both hands?

[CFII]

Dave, I've never seen a female pilot with three hands. Do you mean they solely manipulated the stick with both hands?

Yes but, usually a yoke, especially as planes get heavier.

[Buter]

This has recently changed under the new EASA rule set. Pilots are now only authorised to use both hands to cover their eyes during the later stages of the landing phase.

Damn Eurocrats!

[Tim McCormack]

Dave, I've never seen a female pilot with three hands. Do you mean they solely manipulated the stick with both hands?

Interesting, because when I was young there were girls that thought I had three hands.

[RKittine]

Back to topic. Do you use two hands on the control stick when flying a plane with a stick?

[Float Pilot]

it was the first thing he wrote down on the flight review

Was this just a little note he made up for a post flight review or did he write this down in your log-book?
The log book entry should be pass only ( nothing but dual listed if failed) and maybe any polite comments about dual received. Nothing negative,

[RKittine]

Since this was in Switzerland, not sure if the flight review rules are the same.

Bob