Posted for "Gerry Leinweber" <gerry@doctorseyecare.ab.ca>:

Our IV-P has a 7 switch (3 little elevated push rods, & 4 flat flush
buttons) control stick we bought from Lancair.  I believe it is a MAC stick.
I really like the 3 push rod style switches, and wish we had a hat or cover
over the 4 flush button switches.

The push rod switch on the front side facing the panel is wired for the
transmit button (PTT). It works really well, tough if not impossible to push
by mistake as it is small switch which needs a significant depress that I
use all the time and would recommend to anyone.

As we have the STec 55, the remaining two push rod switches on the top are
CWS and A/P Disconnect. Both work really well.  Highly recommended, works as
advertised, particularly the CWS to engage the A/P in both pitch and roll
mode on the climb out, and to disconnect at minimums on an approach.

The four flush switches are OK once you get used to them. Once you get used
to them.  We have them for elevator and aileron trim, and they work, except
when you push them by mistake with sloppy hand movements and you have to
react fast.  We would consider changing the aileron to the rudder on these
top flush switches if it was hat switch, as we rarely use the aileron trim,
but the little flush switches are not as safe, nor as easy to use, as the
hat switch I have on my joystick on my home PC where I fly Flight Sim for
IFR scan training.

Ideally, I would replace the current four flush switches with a HAT switch,
or put a cover over them with a hinge to prevent inadvertent pressing.  But
flying and fixing the last few last items on our "mustdo" list take
precedence over upgrades right now.

Gerry Leinweber, C-GLFP


[Just another quick note, the TruTrak A/P system uses a single button for A/P disconnect and CWS.    <Marv>          ]