wheel or stick

[Milosh]

Military multi engine a/c have wheels and single engine a/c have sticks, typically. There are exceptions like the Mosquito which had both, depending on the model.

Would a wheel, instead of a stick, in SE a/c have been better? For example, could the Bf109's stick lateral movement have been increased with a wheel.

Would a wheel required less strength to move?

 

[GregP]

Depends on the gearing and the amount of elbow room available in the cockpit. I'm sure there are those who prefer both. I've flown both and have really no preference. Of course, s stick would be preferred for an aerobatic airplane, but military offensive / defensive tactics are not exactly precision aerobatics.

 

[glennasher]

Would a wheel in a small cockpit interfere with a pilot bailing out (if necessary)? It would seem that a snug cockpit with a wheel would be extremely difficult to exit in an emergency.

 

[Capt. Vick]

P-38 had a "wheel" (yoke)

 

[FLYBOYJ]

GregP hit the nail on the head. Usually you have a wheel or yoke on larger aircraft, mainly as leverage for larger and heavier control surfaces. I've mentioned on here many times I heard Kelly Johnson speak at an LMC meeting in the 80s and he stated that he wanted to put a stick in the P-38

 

[emu27]

There are WWII Mosquito pilots who had the opinion they wished they had the wheel in the fighter version, better able to man handle the aircraft when maneuvering and steadier aim when firing.

 

[msxyz]

Isn't the yoke better in case a stronger force (i.e. large craft) need to be exerted on the controls? I mean, from a handling/ergonomics point of view.

 

[FLYBOYJ]

Isn't the yoke better in case a stronger force (i.e. large craft) need to be exerted on the controls? I mean, from a handling/ergonomics point of view.

Yes