You can save quite a bit by buying the controls bundled together.

This isn’t authentic for flight students, but it does mean that this one item–at under $35–can meet all your needs and get you set up and flying a simulator quickly and easily. The stick can also be twisted side-to-side for rudder control.

The best is the Extreme 3D Pro, which has 12 programable buttons, a hat switch for trim, and a simple built-in throttle lever. The Logitech sticks are all designed to be flown with the right hand, as one would fly a military aircraft or rotorcraft. Stick - Finding a flight stick that mimics a small aircraft is challenging. It includes the typical trim, hat, and button controls at your fingertips, plus a stopwatch and USB hub. Yoke - Logitech’s yoke has a metal shaft and clamps securely to your desk for a solid feel. For less than $300, you can have a complete setup with a yoke, throttles, and pedals. These controls aren’t the best out there–many would call them “entry-level”–but their price point is very attractive, and they are loaded with features. Before being built by Logitech, these were manufactured by Saitek–a name you might still see floating around the internet. All of these controls work with Windows or Mac. The Logitech G Pro Flight line includes everything you’ll need to turn your den into the cockpit of your trainer. Logitech has long been a maker of computer peripherals, from webcams and keyboards to gaming flight sticks and realistic flight simulator controls. But, at least for now, we recommend pairing the Alpha and Bravo with a set of Logitech or Thrustmaster pedals (listed below). You can add, remove, and reorganize any levers in the six slots to mimic any plane, from non-complex single-engine trainers to light twins or airliners.Īccording to their website, you can pre-order the Charlie rudder pedals. The Alpha unit includes the yoke, which also has master and magneto switches, trim and control hat switches, and push-to-talk buttons.īut their Bravo throttle quadrant really stands out–it’s fully customizable to suit any aircraft. Honeycomb Aeronautical makes the top-rated flight yoke with metal components and a great feel. Honeycomb Aeronautical Alpha and Bravo Flight Controls - Yoke and Throttles Of course, you can mix and match brands, and most companies make each component. We organized our list by the brand to better compare each company’s offerings. In other words, that super-cool F/A-18 Hornet joystick with the hands-on throttle is not the best solution. However, you do want to hold it in the correct hand and make it as similar to flying a small plane as possible. Is it necessary to fly with a yoke at home? Of course, if you fly a plane with a yoke, it’s best to have a yoke.īut flying with a stick isn’t all that different and probably won’t throw you off.

Most of the commercially available controls are modular so that they can be used in any combination with one another. Three Primary Flight Simulator Control Components But a flight simulator is just a detailed computer game without some dedicated controls to make it act like the cockpit of your training aircraft. Our previous articles have looked at the best flight simulators and how to set up a home flight simulator. With the suggestions made here, you can make your home simulator into anything you want it to be. There are others, of course–especially on the high end, for use at training facilities.īut this sampling will get you started. Here’s a look at the best flight simulator controls for an at-home simulator.

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