737 Control Wheel Grip

[flypaddy]

I’ve just started converting to the 737 and find the control wheel an awkward shape. If I put my thumb in reach of the trim switches I find my index finger resting on the PTT and my middle finger resting on the intercom rocker. It feels like a firm grip during a gusty approach would have me accidentally transmitting. I don’t recall this being a problem on the 757, 767 or 787. My hands are neither unusually large or small!

Perhaps I’ll get used to it but I’d be interested to hear how others recommend the control wheel is gripped.

[Capt Fathom]

I’m sure Boeing have put some work into this. You’ll get used to it. Or you can give up flying! :E

[oceancrosser]

Ancient 1950’s control wheel. Never liked it. Luckily I got off the 737 fairly quickly.

[Chesty Morgan]

Is this serious?!

- Don't grip so firmly.
- Stick your fingers out a bit and grip with the other two.
- Don't be PF.

[Flying Wild]

I've never found myself needing to trim on a gusty approach? What's the problem?

[RetiredBA/BY]

I’ve just started converting to the 737 and find the control wheel an awkward shape. If I put my thumb in reach of the trim switches I find my index finger resting on the PTT and my middle finger resting on the intercom rocker. It feels like a firm grip during a gusty approach would have me accidentally transmitting. I don’t recall this being a problem on the 757, 767 or 787. My hands are neither unusually large or small!

Perhaps I’ll get used to it but I’d be interested to hear how others recommend the control wheel is gripped.
Get a grip old boy !

[stilton]

I’ve just started converting to the 737 and find the control wheel an awkward shape. If I put my thumb in reach of the trim switches I find my index finger resting on the PTT and my middle finger resting on the intercom rocker. It feels like a firm grip during a gusty approach would have me accidentally transmitting. I don’t recall this being a problem on the 757, 767 or 787. My hands are neither unusually large or small!

Perhaps I’ll get used to it but I’d be interested to hear how others recommend the control wheel is gripped.


I flew the 727 which has the same yoke, I found it very comfortable but everyone’s different, it takes a deliberate input to press the PTT switch so don’t worry about that, it’s highly unlikely you will and if you do you’ll know anyway


Enjoy your flying and don’t be concerned about something that’s unlikely to happen

[Uplinker]

Oh dear.......a few replies no doubt meant in jest, or fuelled by Christmas port, but like the old crusty types who could not actually teach but just gruffly snapped if we were doing something wrong. Come on guys, you're better than that !

I only flew the '73 (Classic), for one season, it is a very poorly designed aircraft from the pilot interface point of view. I had no trouble but cannot remember much about it to help the OP.

Possibly, you are being too tense, so just try to relax. Think of the aircraft in gusty conditions more like a boat that you are guiding on a heavy rolling sea - don't try to prevent it moving, but try to anticipate and gently counter any movement away from your desired attitude and flightpath, and just keep bringing it back to where you want it. Smoothness !

[olster]

Actually uplinker that is good advice. One of the keys to accurate flying is to relax and not grip the control wheel too tightly.

[B2N2]

The 73 has the control wheel of a WWII submarine and a trimwheel no doubt invented during the Spanish Inquisition.
Just manhandle that sunnofabeach.

[ZeBedie]

Does the 737 still have noisy microswitches which click every time you move the yolk from its neutral position?

[Fursty Ferret]

Relax your grip on the wheel.

Go on YouTube, watch a few videos of people flying in gusty conditions in the 737, and endeavour to do the opposite. While frantically thrashing the controls around does little more than look good on TV, it makes passengers feel sick, puts you at risk of PIO, and makes it difficult for PM to assess your inputs. It also translates very badly to any other type, particularly a heavy FBW aircraft.

[flypaddy]

Thanks for (some of!) the replies. I’ve found the root cause of the issue. The simulator has a rocker for PTT and intercom which is spring loaded in both directions; hence the concern about either intermittently transmitting or hitting intercom.

It transpires that this is not representative of the real aircraft and the intercom side of the rocker is not sprung, so I can grip the switch as I have on all my previous Boeings without subjecting the FO to incessant clicking.

[framer]

That’s good to hear Paddy, it sounds to me like the sim needs to be updated.

[ImbracableCrunk]

Does the 737 still have noisy microswitches which click every time you move the yolk from its neutral position?

Maybe, but you can't hear it over the other noises. Ops Check OK.

[Rt Hon Jim Hacker MP]

The trim wheel is also a thing of beauty. Had a jump seat ride on one a few years back when I joined a new employer. Lucky for me, I was employed to fly the A320 series with 8 years on type.

[ACMS]

It’s a real Aircraft, all the Airbus Boeing haters can go take a long walk off a short pier……I’ve got a lot of hours in both and I know which one I prefer.

[Uplinker]

Yawn.........

[ACMS]

Exactly, the whole topic is a yawn…….

[stilton]

Exactly, the whole topic is a yawn…….


Not too tiring to read though

[Uplinker]

Exactly, the whole topic is a yawn…….

No it isn't; Helping a pilot new to a type is a valuable process.

Not quite sure why some are putting them down, Most of us like to try to help here.

[ElevatorFeel]

I just grip it very lightly with my fingers on the "finger rest". No finger rests on the PTT switches or on the trim switches. I just deliberately put them there when I need it.
Maybe this is not text book correct, but I drive my car the same way, just barely holding the wheel with enough force/grip to make the movement I need. I know that If I face anything challenging natural stress will make me grip harder without me even noticing :D

[FlyingStone]

It transpires that this is not representative of the real aircraft and the intercom side of the rocker is not sprung, so I can grip the switch as I have on all my previous Boeings without subjecting the FO to incessant clicking.

Try to find a way to handle the control column without that, as you might have to fly a 737 in the future that has a different type of rocker switch on the control column - some of them latch in the I/C position, others don't, just like on the ACP.

[Vessbot]

New to the 737 and I don't like it either. No matter how relaxed you hold it, you still have to be careful to avoid the PTT. I've been experimenting with various grip positions that are all uncomfortable and defeat the point of the contoured grip that's clearly designed and intended to be held the one way...