I'd say I'm pretty damn consistent with the instant air sais on my stick. In my mind I'm pressing ub+1 and then df, giving 1 the shortest of taps. The command inputs in training mode seem to suggest I'm not actually hitting 1 before df, but I think it's important to train your brain to hit 1 as soon as you commit to the move to get it to come out immediately (and obviously input the directions as fast as possible). I use the diagonal down-forward instead of straight forward though because it feels more natural with the angle of my hand on my square-gated stick, so don't worry about it if you're using a pad. (I use diagonals for the telekicks too.) Oh, and I don't use Mileena online, so this might not help there either.