title_body: What are 'Modes' of a transmitter / controller? I have heard a lot of reference to the 'Modes' of a transmitter/controller. 
  
  What is the Mode of a remote controller, and what is the difference between them?
upvoted_answer: The Mode of a transmitter refers to which stick on the transmitter controls which movement on a drone. There are 4 modes (named Mode 1 to 4) but the most common are Mode 1 and Mode 2.
  
  The image below shows which control is associated with which aircraft axis, for each mode. The black text refers to fixed-wing aircraft and the blue text is the multirotor equivalent.
  
  
  
  Mode 1 and 2 are the most common flight modes used.  Most multirotor pilots fly mode 2 (although there are exceptions, one of the OG FPV pilots FinalGlideAus notably flew mode 1).  Almost all "toy" multirotors are Mode 2.  In fixed-wing RC mode 2 is very common in the US, while Mode 1 is popular elsewhere.
  
  When starting out, find out what mode the people you're likely to fly with use.  Having a more knowledgeable pilot being able to fly your drone, or being able to watch their fingers and see how they're doing a particular trick, or for them to be able to coach you easily is enormously beneficial.  Once you're comfortable, if you want to explore the other modes, and see if something else feels better, then go for it.  If you don't plan to fly with anyone else and have no strong opinion, go mode 2.  Virtually all of the stick cam tutorials you'll watch online are mode 2.