Originally Posted by
iggy
I see many FO gripping the sidestick in many different ways, and while it may seem easier at first to handle the sidestick by the base, or by the top using only the thumb and the index fingers, the most important thing is to have the index finger ready to transmit on the radio, and the thumb ready to press the takeoverbutton in case the other pilot gets incapacitated. Teaching any pilot to grip the sidestick in any way different than the airbus way is not a wise thing, in my opinion...
I’m a base gripper. You raise good points, but the PF isn’t usually the one talking, and if you need to quickly press the push button, you’re not usually going to be the one holding the sidestick.
FWIW, our manual says the pm must be in a position to immediately assume control. For most people, most of the time (in my company) that doesn’t involve a hand on the sidestick. I may rest my hand near the base if I’m concerned, but unless I’m concerned that I’ll have to take control, I’m not touching the sidestick.