Avionics, Displays, and Headsets
Enhance Your Setup with Realistic Knobs, Switches, and More
Introduction
One of the best parts of home flight simulation is adding avionics hardware that looks and operates like the real thing. Whether you're spinning a physical knob to change a frequency, arming LNAV on an MCP, or programming a route on an MCDU, purpose-built panels make procedures faster, more accurate, and much more immersive.
As with flight controls, approach these add-ons incrementally: start with the avionics that match the flying you prefer, and then expand as desired. Because most hardware is designed with either general aviation or airliner operations in mind, this guide is divided into sections covering both categories. Throughout the guide, you'll find examples of the types of products available, but these are just a selection. Always conduct your own research to understand the full scope of what's available, before making a purchase.
General Aviation
For simmers who enjoy flying Cessna, Piper, Cirrus, and other light aircraft, a wide range of peripherals are available that replicate both analog and glass cockpit systems found in real cockpits.
Gauges and Radio Stacks
For simmers who prefer the classic "six pack" cockpit, a wide range of hardware is available to replicate traditional steam gauges and radio stack equipment. Depending on the vendor, gauges may be sold individually or in small clusters, allowing you to build out an instrument panel piece by piece. Radio units can also be purchased as standalone components or bundled into complete stacks that combine communication, navigation, and transponder functions. Together, these peripherals provide a tactile, authentic way to manage essential flight functions—without relying solely on on-screen controls.
Example gauges and radio equipment include:
If you're interested in pursuing these types of peripherals, we recommend starting your research with the following providers. Additionally, large online retailers like Amazon carry hardware from major brands, such as Logitech.
Glass Cockpit Displays
Many simmers add digital avionics panels that replicate systems commonly found in glass cockpit setups. Popular real-world units such as the Garmin GNS 430/530 and G1000 are available as peripherals, giving pilots the ability to practice with the same GPS and navigation systems they’ll see in the cockpit. These displays let you twist real knobs, enter frequencies, and manage flight plans—providing an excellent bridge between simulation and real-world flying.
Example glass cockpit displays include:
For glass cockpit peripherals, start your research with the following providers:
Complete Panels
While many avionics upgrades come as standalone units, another option is to purchase a complete panel that brings together multiple gauges and instruments in one integrated package. These products often replicate the entire layout of a general aviation panel, combining airspeed indicators, altimeters, engine gauges, radios, and GPS units in a single frame. For simmers who want a cohesive and ready-to-use cockpit experience, full panels can be a more efficient way to upgrade than sourcing individual instruments one at a time.

A selection of Altimeter Motives complete panels on display at FlightSimExpo.
If you're thinking about creating a panel setup for your home simulator, there are three options:
Do it Yourself: Lots of simmers that have created setups on their own using locally sourced tools and materials, 3D printed elements, consumer microcontrollers, and more. The resources listed on our Advanced Setups and Home Cockpits Guide are a good place to start looking for information.
Purchase a "Blank" Panel: Some vendors produce empty panels that mimic a general aviation aircraft setup. You would then separately purchase your own flight simulation hardware to mount in it.
Purchase a Complete Kit: Some retailers sell complete kits with the panel and gauges, and some also include flight control hardware. Some simmers use their panel as an "all-in-one" solution, while others integrate them alongside their existing setup to enhance realism.
If you're interested in pursuing these types of kits, we recommend starting your research with the following providers:
Altimeter MotivesMember Discount
Flight VelocityMember Discount
RealSimGearMember Discount
Airliners
For simmers who enjoy flying commercial jets, there is no shortage of avionics hardware designed to replicate the airline cockpit environment. From compact desktop modules to fully integrated panels, these add-ons bring the look, feel, and workflow of an Airbus or Boeing flight deck into your home setup. Whether you want to handle autopilot functions, manage navigation displays, or program a route from scratch, there are options to suit a wide range of budgets and levels of immersion.
Autopilot control panels (often called MCPs or FCUs) are among the most popular upgrades, frequently paired with EFIS units and related switch panels. These modules provide tactile control over functions like heading, altitude, vertical speed, and display settings, while also incorporating realistic knobs, switches, and annunciators. Together, they allow simmers to interact with their aircraft in a way that closely mirrors real-world airline operations, making procedures more fluid and authentic than relying solely on mouse clicks.
Another major category is the Flight Management Computer, or FMC (referred to as an MCDU in Airbus aircraft). These standalone units replicate the familiar keypad-driven interface used in modern airliners and integrate directly with advanced add-on aircraft such as the PMDG 737 or Fenix A320. High-end versions feature bright, backlit color displays and sturdy desktop mounts, while budget-conscious hobbyists increasingly turn to 3D-printed panels and off-the-shelf displays as a cost-effective way to recreate the experience.
The vendor list below offers a great starting point, but we recommend checking reviews, tutorials, and community feedback from trusted flight sim content creators to ensure the hardware you choose is the right fit for your setup and simulator.
Displays and Visuals
Display hardware plays a major role in how immersive and functional your simulator feels. Although not strictly required, many simmers use two monitors: one for the simulator itself and a second for charts, moving maps, or flight planning utilities. Even this simple addition can make a noticeable difference in usability, especially for IFR training.

Example of a basic flight simulation setup where one monitor displays the flight simulator, and a second displays supporting functions like chart applications or flight planning utilities.
Advanced setups often expand into multi-monitor arrays or large curved displays to create a wraparound visual effect. Triple-monitor setups, for example, are popular with simmers who fly VFR and want peripheral vision that closely matches the real world. Large-format 4K televisions are also increasingly popular thanks to their affordability and screen size. These can be mounted on desks, walls, or even in custom cockpit rigs. An in-depth discussion of advanced visuals is beyond the scope of this guide, but the images below from FlightSimExpo provide a sense of what's possible.
A setup with advanced visuals is a significant investment, so consider your long-term plans and goals for flight simulation first. In general, you'll need to decide whether traditional computer monitors or 4K/HD televisions are more cost-effective for the setup you're creating. If you're purchasing displays specifically for flight simulation, websites recommend at least 1920 x 1080 resolution with a reasonably high refresh rate (120 Hz or better).
Finally, some simmers experiment with projectors for full-wall or curved-screen visuals. While projectors can create an unmatched sense of immersion, they also introduce challenges with brightness, room lighting, and physical space requirements. With the steady drop in prices for 4K TVs and monitors, projectors have become less common outside of dedicated home cockpits.
Headsets
If you plan to fly online with ATC, or if your setup is located in a "noise sensitive area" of the house, you may wish to consider a headset. Many simmers configure the audio from their simulator (i.e., the aircraft and background sounds) to come through speakers, and use the headset to communicate with ATC. If you're in a noisy area, you may want everything coming through the headset. In most cases, you can configure sound options from within your simulator's settings.
If you're a real-world pilot and already own a general aviation headset, it's possible to purchase adapters to use your headset with a computer. However, you may find your general aviation headset is "overkill" for the home simulator, especially if you have one with Active Noise Reduction (ANR). You might also consider replica general aviation headsets available specifically for the PC, like the T.Flight U.S. Air Force Edition from Thrustmaster.
Most home flight simmers who use a headset tend to purchase one specifically for PC gaming. You can find plenty of options at local stores or online. Search "best PC gaming headsets" and you'll find plenty of reviews from top gaming publications, with both wired and wireless options. Just remember that if you're planning to fly with ATC, a boom mic is a must!