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Because I recently installed Infinity's military grips in my LNC2, I now have both types of flap switches.  The flap switch mounted on the stick outboard of the coolie hat is spring-loaded to the down position for incremental extension, while the up position fully retracts the flaps. Rather than leave a hole in the panel, I left the old flap switch in place which is spring-loaded in both directions.

Except for a series of touch-and-go landings, I prefer the stick mounted switch.  On takeoff, the flaps are thumbed up without distraction.  On landing, I'm not forced to repeatedly reach for the panel mounted switch to extend the flaps. Perfect!

Now comes the touch-and-go where a takeoff flap setting is desirable. With the new stick switch, the flaps must fully retract before re-extending.  Trying to catch them on the way up is as distracting as that dangerous reach for the panel mounted switch on rollout at 60 kts.  So last Sunday, I thought I would go back to using the panel mounted switch for touch-and-gos.  BAD IDEA!  I nearly pulled the bloody gear switch one time. This accident-waiting-to-happen was the principal reason that I wanted the flaps on the stick to begin with.

So on reflection, I'm pondering replacing the current stick switch with one that is spring-loaded in both directions.  I would be remiss, however, if did not give voice to the argument that touch-and-gos are inherently dangerous. This ain't your dad's C172 we're flying. I speak with forked tongue because I know I'll continue flying them albeit only at a neighboring 5500' runway.

Byron Fox
LNC2
N3144C
Mill Valley, CA

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