Suggestions for low-cost solution for newbie with partially-disabled hand?

[tanstaafl]

I've been flying micro helis for about a year now, started with a Syma S107, then progressing through Blade mCX2, nQX, mSR, and mSR/X (nano cpx will be next).

My dad is now interested in doing the same. The issue is that my dad suffered from polio when he was a boy, and his right thumb is paralyzed and his right hand is weak overall. That's not conducive to handheld 2-stick controllers.

I got him an S107 for Christmas (mine had died months back), because it's cheap, light, stable, and the controller is also small and light. He's enjoying flying it immensely.

Now I'm trying to figure out how to help him step up to an mCX2 or nQX. With his right-hand issues, managing cyclic with the RTF controller that comes with those is going to be an issue. A mode 3 transmitter would likely be ideal, but that's not an inexpensive way to start. Is the solution to get a tray? I've never used one myself (I use a DX6i with a neckstrap), I'm not sure how to select or fit one, or how much they weigh (he also has back problems from the polio).

Any thoughts people have on how to ease him into the hobby would be appreciated. Thanks.

[Nightsinger]

It think there are two main steps to resolve this issue.

1st one is; to ease the operation of right hand: modified stick tips, limiting / lowering the stick resistance, using a tray, operating in a sitting position...

2nd one is; to switch the cyclic inputs to left stick (mode 3). This could be achieved with a dedicated mode 3 transmitter, or by using a flybarless + full receiver + mode 2 transmitter combo, in which you can alter the connections between flybarless unit and transmitter physically (so the CCPM mixing will be done in the flybarless unit). Also you can buy a cheap transmitter like turnigy 9x and modify it for dsm2 and mode 3.

[ame]http://youtu.be/9was4Ox6PJA?t=2m40s[/ame]
http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Turnigy+...onversion/5832

Hope those helps.

PS: Thumbs up for your father