In order to further improve a control device for controlling unmanned and/or manned and/or virtual airborne objects in such a way that the control is easier to use and can be learned intuitively and more quickly even by untrained individuals, the control device has a first control element for controlling a movement about a vertical axis, a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis of the airborne object, a rotary movement and/or pivoting movement of the first control element about its vertical axis, its longitudinal axis and its transverse axis causing the airborne object to move about its vertical axis, longitudinal axis and transverse axis, and the control device also has a second control element for changing the flying altitude and/or a speed and/or a thrust of the airborne object.

Systems and methods for alleviating problems encountered when using a conventional thumbstick by augmenting the thumbstick to enable swiveling (rotational movement) around the center or z axis of the thumbstick. In one embodiment, the swiveling motion is achieved by providing a swivel top mounted in a base that can itself be mounted on a post or a conventional thumbstick. In this embodiment, a rigid table having a split shaft and barbed retention clip is inserted into a receiving or retention hole in a connector base. A bearing surface and bearing raceway are provided to maintain the stability of the table while allowing it to rotate with respect to the base. The base may have legs that are configured to clip onto the top of a conventional thumbstick, or it may be configured to be mounted on a post of a three-axis potentiometer.

In order to further improve a control device for controlling unmanned and/or manned and/or virtual airborne objects in such a way that the control is easier to use and can be learned intuitively and more quickly even by untrained individuals, the control device has a first control element for controlling a movement about a vertical axis, a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis of the airborne object, a rotary movement and/or pivoting movement of the first control element about its vertical axis, its longitudinal axis and its transverse axis causing the airborne object to move about its vertical axis, longitudinal axis and transverse axis, and the control device also has a second control element for changing the flying altitude and/or a speed and/or a thrust of the airborne object.