How do you jet pilots do it?

[Dairuka]

It's been two weeks since I've got my new joystick, and have logged in at least dozens upon dozens of hours piloting a jet. I've quickly become proficient in bombing, dogfighting, strafing, hovering, stratoruns and landing...

There is one thing that I can't seem to remedy no matter what I do however. Thats the soreness in my hand.

How the hell can you guys log in hundreds of hours in a jet, without getting carpal tunnel syndrome? My hand at this point has swollen up, and my ring finger is losing mobility as a result.

Do you guys have any pointers? I've mainly been icing it, and massaging it; but the pain still comes back, and I probably won't take a break from jet piloting until I get that accursed veteran badge...

[proto]

Re: How do you jet pilots do it?

Man up! That's what I do.

[Dairuka]

Re: How do you jet pilots do it?

Man up! That's what I do.

I've been putting up with it for about a week. I'm worried about ligament damage.

[proto]

Re: How do you jet pilots do it?

Nah. I doubt anything permanent will harm your wee little fingers(or hand for that matter). I just take a break if I feel the need to. Don't overdue it. I know it's hard, but don't.

[buteonidae]

Re: How do you jet pilots do it?

Loadsa practice and training before buying a joystick....

ok only kidding, don't have this problem, can't help sorry.

[N2K]

Re: How do you jet pilots do it?

Drink milk.

[proto]

Re: How do you jet pilots do it?

Drink milk.

Smart ***.

[N2K]

Re: How do you jet pilots do it?

or

Masturbate more

[weeyoo]

Re: How do you jet pilots do it?

or

Masturbate more

That was the joystick he was referring to.

[MysticalWhim1]

Re: How do you jet pilots do it?

I have been going thru the same as of late Dairuka. My fingers get to hurting from griping the joystick after about a hour. But I think become proficent with the jets is worth the pain


MysticalWhim1

[Trooper_811]

Re: How do you jet pilots do it?

Do you guys have any pointers? I've mainly been icing it, and massaging it; but the pain still comes back, and I probably won't take a break from jet piloting until I get that accursed veteran badge...

I just got my veteran aviator badge. I decided to get it when I realized I couldn't rank up to general without it. I started with 7 hours aviator time and got to 50 hours in about 2 weeks time. I use a mouse and keyboard so let's hear it for the mouse and keyboard flyers.

Anyway, here are my suggestions for your problem:

1) The tabletop/desktop is much too high for a flight stick. Look at where the flight stick is on a real aircraft. I suspect that you are using the flight stick in a way that forces your hand, wrist, and arm into a strange configuration. Try lowering the flight stick into a more natural position.

2) Whenever you die or have a chance, let go of the flight stick and exercise your fingers. Rotate your wrist a few times and lower your arm to give it a rest.

3) Before playing, stretch your fingers, wrist, and arm. Bend your fingers and wrist backwards until you feel resistance and hold for 30 seconds. Do the same in the opposite direction. If it hurts, you are doing it too hard. Also, strecth out your wrists by rotating them 10 times in each direction. Also, cracking your knuckles helps to loosen up the joints a bit. If that grosses you out, rotate each finger individually a few times each.

I hope that helps. These suggestions work anytime your fingers, wrist, and arm will be doing repetitive tasks such as typing, playing games, and even martial arts.

Good Luck

[AncientSerpent3]

Re: How do you jet pilots do it?

Are you serious dude?

I'm not sure if this is one of your comical sarcastic posts or a real help wanted post...



Quit your blubberin', it's not like you're dealing with any aerodynamic forces fighting you on the controls...it's just BF2.

[ZekersSneakers]

Re: How do you jet pilots do it?

I have the same problem, I just take a break for a few days...

[XmetallicaXguitarstX]

Re: How do you jet pilots do it?

Are you using an extreme 3D pro? If so, you need to change the spring out with something lighter. That's what I did.. I modded my joystick with a spring from one of my guitar pedals.. Basically it was like maybe 1 1/2" tall, and 1/2" wide, and I spun it so that it got wider, and shorter, and I took the joystick apart, took out the old spring that felt like solid steel, and switched it out for a "springy" spring. So my joystick has enough power to return to center. It still has a slight resistance, but it's to the point where it just returns to the center.

And on top of having a weaker spring, I have my joystick's sensitivity maxed out, so I really don't need to work hard to do anything..

Another thing... If you are getting sore just from one or two flying sessions, you know you have a problem. Your joystick is most likely a 3D extreme pro.. right? Well as we all know, it's stiff as hell.. so change the spring.

[Chris_Redfield]

Re: How do you jet pilots do it?

1) The tabletop/desktop is much too high for a flight stick. Look at where the flight stick is on a real aircraft. I suspect that you are using the flight stick in a way that forces your hand, wrist, and arm into a strange configuration. Try lowering the flight stick into a more natural position.

Good Luck

This here, by far would be the best advice Dairuka. I probably have more than 1500 hours with both my sticks combined (cough... Attack 3 and E3DPro). I had pain in my wrist after gaiming, and I used to really stretch it - up to 10 hours, occasionally, with no rest. Thats the worst. 2 things helped me. One, playing on a lower desk. Joystick should be at your elbow level, and a little lower than that. Then, I switched the spring, thanks to Metallicas advice. Changing the spring got rid of the soreness and numbness in the tips of the fingers. The excercise and all that many suggest, screw it. It starts with the basics, and thats A) Proper height and positioning B) Getting used to the stick and C) Developing comfortable and best methods of using the stick.

For example I wore out my Attack 3, which colony uses, in a 3 months. And it was in a shape most of the people would throw it away. That was because it was my first stick ever and I was actually getting used to manipulating one.

You can see whether or not youre using the stick if you pay attention on your hand. Do you apply much force when you move it around? Are you holding the stick without being loose and calm yourself?

Lastly, what stick you got?