HOTAS, joysticks, and rudder pedals: the best accessories for playing Flight Simulator

To get the most out of flight or racing simulation games, it is important to be well-equipped. This type of video game is a precise, technical art, where the right hardware can change everything, from performance to the level of immersion. Here is our selection of the best joysticks, HOTAS, yokes, and other rudders for playing Flight Simulator in particular.

The market for joysticks, HOTAS, and other peripherals for flight simulators is a bit niche. There are few product renewals and some of our selections are almost ten years old. However, manufacturers are making real efforts in terms of product design and especially prices. Even if the latter remains high, they nevertheless remain “accessible” for an enthusiast.

Finally, don't forget that a Flight Simulator or an Elite Dangerous (for those who prefer to play space trucker) require a muscular machine and that a good screen will be a plus to take full advantage of it. The bigger it is, the better the immersion will be. An ultrawide screen will therefore be ideal for admiring the landscape or having a perfectly readable dashboard. A good gaming chair is also very important if you plan to spend long hours crisscrossing the skies around the world. For the rest of the equipment, follow our guide to the best joysticks, HOTAS, yokes, and rudders.

The best HOTAS for Flight Simulator and others

Thrustmaster TCA officer Pack Airbus Edition: good value for money

Thrustmaster partners with Airbus to bring us this Joystick and throttle combo. An already very elegant product, with the name “Airbus” affixed. The joystick is very precise and uses magnetic mechanics for durability. The handle is designed to be ambidextrous, with four interchangeable head button modules to adapt it to all body shapes.

Thrustmaster has reproduced the ergonomics of Airbus on-board instruments. At your disposal: 12 buttons including a cone and a virtual rudder by rotating the handle. The throttle block is once again a reproduction of those on Airbus civil aircraft. It is possible to adjust the resistance of the levers. Finally, it brings 8 additional buttons and 8 virtual ones on the throttle shaft. The two products can be purchased separately ( joystick alone for 69.99 euros and throttle for 119.99 euros ) if your budget is limited. But you will hardly find better at this price.

The advantages of the Thrustmaster TCA officer:

• Airbus design

• Ergonomics

• Value for money

Logitech G X-56: for the most demanding

If the Thrustmaster above is designed for civil aviation, the X-56 HOTAS is also designed for military and even space simulators. Its design combines plastic and metal, combined with a sober and very martial design. We have access to a total of 31 programmable buttons, including numerous switches, dials, and potentiometers.

Add to this 5 POV buttons (conical or not) and we can configure 189 commands in total. It would be criminal not to mention its dual throttle, which is as precise as it is aesthetic. The whole thing is RGB backlit for more shows. A high-end, complete product whose controls are very precise, but you will have to pay 270 euros .

If your budget is more limited, the Logitech G X52 can also be an alternative. It has a similar design, but the throttle is in one piece and the finishes are significantly worse. In return, it can be found for less than 150 euros …

The advantages of the Logitech G X-56:

• Equally at home on airplanes and spaceships

• Many buttons

• Versatile

The best joysticks for PC

Logitech Extreme 3D Pro: for versatile gamers

A classic that no longer needs to prove itself. It is quite precise and offers a nice grip, but its look betrays an arcade-oriented design. However, it is difficult not to be seduced by its 12 programmable buttons, its conical buttons, and rather well-balanced force feedback. Considering its price, it offers excellent services. Be careful, it is not very friendly to left-handed people and that is a shame for a joystick. A good product for those who want to get started without breaking the bank and who also like arcade games.

The advantages of the Logitech Extreme 3D Pro:

• Design

• Many buttons

• Price
  

Thrustmaster T.16000 FCS: for ambitious people on a limited budget

A stylish joystick that offers excellent grip and was designed from the start for left-handed and right-handed users. To achieve this, it includes 3 detachable components to install according to your habits. We have 16 buttons at our service, complemented by a conical button. Compared to the Logitech Extreme 3D Pro, it is more precise and flexible to use. It proves to be more talented in the field of flight simulation while remaining at a reasonable price, less than 70 euros.

In addition: Thrustmaster T.16000M FCS FLIGHT PACK

If your budget is tight, but you want more than a joystick, Thrustmaster has the good idea to offer a bundle that includes a TWCS throttle, as well as the T.Flight Rudder Pedals ( 99.99 euros alone ): a rudder with two differential brake pedals. The whole thing will cost you less than 250 euros, the price of a HOTAS voucher.

The advantages of the Thrustmaster T.16000 FCS:

• Price

• Precision

• Ecosystem

The best Yokes Joysticks for Flight Simulator

Logitech G Saitek Pro Flight Yoke System: value for money

This great classic, almost 8 years old, is a delight for less fortunate simulation fans. It includes a nice-sized Yoke, on the left stick a conical button and a switch, and on the right a red button and two switches. A mini dashboard with a configurable monochrome LCD (speed, altitude, etc.) is on the front, and just below, three buttons complete the whole thing.

The Yoke is complemented by a throttle block with three programmable levers (throttle control, flaps, mixture control, and propeller pitch). This gives us a total of 25 buttons and switch positions. The installation is both simple and above all very stable. It's a complete bundle. Difficult to find better for less than 135 euros.

The advantages of the Logitech G Saitek Pro Flight Yoke:

• Very immersive ergonomics

• The yoke pack + throttle block

• The price

Honeycomb Aeronautical Alpha Flight Controls Yoke: for those who want more

Honeycomb worked with flight schools and students to design its Yoke. Its design is more “pro” than that of Logitech, the use of solid steel for the yoke shaft gives a robust and overall more serious side. The left grip includes a conical knob, two switches, and two additional buttons. On the left, you will find a large button, a small one, and two switches. No front display, but 5 switches and a very prominent red backlight, especially if you play in the dark. No throttle block here. Count on less than 300 euros.

The advantages of the Honeycomb Aeronautical Alpha Flight Controls Yoke:

• Design

• The number of buttons and switches

• Design

In addition: Honeycomb Aeronautical — Bravo Throttle Quadrant

To get the most out of your Yoke Honeycomb, you need to invest in the Bravo Throttle Quadrant, with its design and manufacturing quality of such a good level. It gives access to 6 fully configurable controllers with different levers. You will also have 14 information lights, a brake lever, and seven switches in addition to a white switch. Associated with the Honeycomb Aeronautical Alpha Flight Controls Yoke, you will have at your disposal a coherent and very complete set. It's a lot, so we don't recommend it for beginners.

The advantages of the Honeycomb Aeronautical Bravo Throttle Quadrant:

• Versatility

• The 6 configurable throttle levers

• The numerous information lights and switch

The rudders

Thrustmaster Pendular rudder: the best rudder

This big seven-kilo baby is a high-end rudder that combines several technologies. A suspended mechanism is associated with magnetic sensors. The whole thing provides unique flexibility and latitude of use. The manufacturer promises a precision of 0.005°, enough to help land an A380 in a pocket square. A luxury product, but when you love it… you are ready to pay the 500 euros requested.

The advantages of the Thrustmaster Pendular rudder:

• Design

• Precision

• Solidity

How to choose the right hardware for Flight Simulator

Why invest in dedicated hardware for Flight Simulator?

Although it may seem surprising, the keyboard/mouse pair is the basic human-machine interface in Flight Simulator. It is possible to play with an Xbox One controller or even a joystick, but the keyboard and mouse must always remain accessible. Indeed, the number of controls on a flight simulator can be impressive for a novice. A joystick brings it closer to reality, but investing in a HOTAS ( Hands on Throttle and Stick ) even closer.

The latter includes a joystick designed for flight simulators, equipped with numerous buttons to avoid switching back and forth between the controller and keyboard/mouse. It is completed by a throttle block which brings more realism and a new batch of buttons. Many aircraft models (light or heavy) use a sort of half-steering wheel called Yoke: here again, the aim is to always provide more realism.

To go further, it is difficult to do without a pedal board. And if you're caught up in Flight Simulator 2020 fever, nothing's stopping you from multiplying the gaming peripherals and transforming your desk into a real cockpit.

What are the basic principles of aviation?

A plane maneuvers on three axes:

• The pitch axis which allows you to gain or lose altitude

• The roll axis to tilt the plane left or right

• The yaw axis which corresponds to the rudder

A joystick simulates the first two, you must complete your equipment with a rudder for yaw. The majority of simulators integrate the effects of the rudder into the joystick. However, if you're looking for realism and immersion, it's hard to do without it. Finally, a throttle block brings a finishing touch to any self-respecting cockpit. It avoids using the keyboard to manage its speed on the keyboard and it generally brings its share of additional commands.

How many buttons do I need on my joystick?

From a simple biplane to the Airbus A380, the list of flight controls, like that of technical checks, is plethoric. You might as well have a large number of buttons directly on your broomstick, without it becoming indigestible.

Here are the essentials:

• The conical button or “Chinese hat” in the jargon. It is generally used to control the camera. This way, you can observe your entire cockpit, look at the landscape, or change the view to admire your plane from the outside. Some joysticks offer several conical buttons to launch commands or navigate menus.

• The trigger, placed at the front of the joystick head, is used to activate weapons in combat aircraft simulations and brakes for civil simulators.

• The other buttons, whether on the handle or its base, are there to reduce the use of the mouse and keyboard. Avoid products with “too many” buttons for you to manage, or too close to each other to avoid handling errors.

• The throttle, some models incorporate a throttle at their base.

What is the dead zone?

In the case of a joystick, the dead zone is that of the stick at rest. The smaller its radius, the more the product will offer greater precision and stability when you are in control of your virtual plane.

Is installation difficult?

The majority of simulator peripherals simply sit on a flat surface. But be careful, a HOTAS takes up space and a Yoke needs to be fixed on a table or desk. If we add a throttle block or other accessories, it can quickly become bulky.

Is force feedback a good idea?

This is a little extra, the force feedback joysticks generate vibrations which can make the immersion even greater. Thus, when landing, taking off, and crossing areas of turbulence, the joystick will vibrate proportionally. However, be careful that they are not too powerful, otherwise they may become annoying.

Do my accessories require software?

Often, software accompanies your gaming accessories. They allow you to configure your device, but above all, they often offer pre-programmed profiles, by game, but also sometimes by type of aircraft.