Flight Controls
Control Your Aircraft Using Realistic Hardware
Introduction
Although you can technically fly with just a keyboard and mouse, most simmers quickly invest in dedicated hardware to make their flying experience more realistic. From yokes and joysticks to throttle quadrants and rudder pedals, flight controls bring your simulator to life by giving you a hands-on feel of flying the aircraft.
Whether your goal is to practice real-world flight training, immerse yourself in airliner operations, or dogfight in a fighter jet, flight controls form the foundation of your setup. Some simmers even build elaborate home cockpits with full-size controls—though you certainly don't need to go that far to dramatically improve realism.
Advice for Beginners
A good rule of thumb in flight simulation is: start with the basics, then build over time. Hardware can become one of the most expensive parts of the hobby, so it's best to purchase gradually.
For most newcomers, that means beginning with a yoke or joystick, and possibly adding rudder pedals. With those three items, you'll have the essential controls needed for nearly any type of flying.
Pro Tip
Hardware feels different depending on brand and design. Whenever possible, try before you buy. Events like FlightSimExpo let you test multiple options side-by-side, making it easier to find the right fit.
Things to Consider
When choosing flight controls, there are several factors beyond the basic device type (yoke, joystick, throttle, or rudder pedals) that may influence your decision. Planning ahead will save frustration later.
Build Quality and Durability: Entry-level hardware often uses plastic construction, while higher-end options may incorporate metal components, hall-effect sensors, and smoother bearings that improve realism and longevity.
Mounting and Space: Some flight controls are designed for desktop use, while others are meant to be permanently mounted in cockpit builds. Be sure to consider your physical setup and how you'll secure the hardware.
Compatibility: Most modern hardware works with all major flight simulators. Still, it's worth checking compatibility, especially for more specialized devices.
Force Feedback: Force feedback controls have internal motors that provide tactile resistance and vibrations to better replicate the feel of flying an actual aircraft. For example, you might feel turbulence through your yoke, trim forces on the control column, or control stiffening as airspeed increases. Force feedback hardware is more immersive but is generally more expensive compared to standard controls.
Budget and Future Upgrades: Many simmers start with an entry-level device and upgrade over time. If you anticipate eventually building a more advanced setup, think about how your initial purchase will integrate into a larger system.
Flight Controls
This section discusses the basic hardware components that allow you to control the aircraft's movement.
Yokes and Joysticks
Yokes and joysticks control aircraft pitch and roll. They are the first piece of hardware almost every simmer buys.
We polled 100 experienced simmers. 99 of them said a new simmer should purchase a yoke or joystick as part of their initial setup.
When purchasing a yoke or joystick, consider which makes sense for the type of flying you'll do. For example, if you plan to fly military jets, helicopters, or Cirrus or Airbus aircraft, a joystick is normally used to control those aircraft. If you're a Boeing or Cessna pilot, a yoke is more common.
Also consider your broader setup. For example, a joystick might fit easier beside the keyboard on your desktop, whereas a yoke would need to be mounted to your desk. Additionally, some yokes and joysticks have buttons and switches that are customizable for various aircraft functions. Depending on your use case, such a unit may be more desirable.
Popular yoke and joystick options include:
Rudder Pedals
Rudder pedals are used primarily for controlling aircraft yaw and for ground steering while taxiing. Pressing the tip of each pedal operates the brakes. Although not strictly required, a set of rudder pedals completes often completes the initial flight simulator setup.
We polled 100 experienced simmers. 50 of them recommended purchasing rudder pedals as part of an initial setup.
Popular rudder pedal options include:
Throttles
Throttle units are typically highly configurable add-ons that control aircraft thrust and a variety of other functions. In many cases, throttle units are sold with a yoke, joystick, and rudder pedals in a single "combo pack". Check with your retailer, as purchasing units in a bundle often results in cost savings.
Because of their versatility and relative cost, throttle units are a good "next step" after completing your initial setup.
Popular throttle units include:
Some throttle units can be further customized with aftermarket add-ons. For example, ProDeskSim offers several kits that convert generic general aviation throttle setups into aircraft-specific configurations, allowing you to more closely replicate the controls of airliners or other specialized aircraft.
HOTAS
The Hands On Throttle-and-Stick, or HOTAS, is a combination unit that includes a throttle, joystick, and customizable buttons and switches. Originally designed for the military, a HOTAS configuration is typically found in fighter jets and helicopters. Although it is less common in airliners and general aviation aircraft, the HOTAS remains a popular hardware add-on in flight simulation because of its compact size and versatility.
Popular HOTAS options include:
