A Flight Simulator Joystick is an essential piece of hardware for anyone looking to take their flight simulator experience to the next level. With a wide range of options available, from basic- to advanced sticks, and even replica, flight sticks. These joysticks allow you to control your virtual aircraft with a level of precision that can be difficult to achieve with just a keyboard and mouse combination. Continue reading ⇢
A Flight Simulator Joystick is an excellent choice for controlling your airplane. A stick is suitable to fly any aircraft, including helicopters, and often comes with many options.
When selecting your perfect flight stick, you might to take a look at the following points of attention:
POV Switch
The POV switch allows you to control all the different cameras within your favorite flight simulator. A must-have for every joystick.
Stick Twist
A joystick with stick twist has an additional axis to control the rudder. With stick twist Rudder Pedals become optional.
Programmable Buttons
Every flightsimmer need buttons. The more, the better, as you can program all necessary actions within reach of your fingertips.
Compatibility
Not every joystick is compatible with the platform you're gaming in. Always check the stick's compatibility before purchasing it.
Advantages of Joysticks for Flight Simulation: Stick Twist and Programmable Buttons
One of the big advantages of most joysticks is that a joystick has stick twist. Stick twist is an extra axis used for rudder control. Because of this extra axis buying rudder pedals isn't a necessity. If you're, however, looking for an authentic and realistic flying experience, you might want to consider purchasing rudder pedals as well.
Most joysticks also have a vast number of programmable buttons. Although your preferred flight simulation software might have a default profile for these buttons, they can be assigned to your liking as well.
The Importance of Built Quality in Flight Simulator Joysticks
Another important factor to consider when purchasing a flight simulator joystick is built quality.
One of the factors of the quality of a joystick is based on the materials used. A more expensive joystick, such as the Thrustmaster Warthog, is made (almost complete) out of metal, whereas more budget-friendly joysticks are made of plastics.
The higher quality joysticks also use magnetic (Hall-Effect) sensors. These sensors don't have any moving parts and measure the magnetic field change when the stick is moved. This makes flight simulator hardware with Hall-Effect sensors resistant to wear and extremely accurate.
Our Top Picks
Elevate your Flight Experience with our top picked Joysticks for Flight Simulator.
Frequently Asked Questions about Flightsim Joysticks
Are there any Flight Simulator joysticks with Force Feedback?
Yes, flight simulator joysticks with force feedback do exist, but unfortunately, we don't sell them.
Force Feedback is a technology often used in steering wheels for race games. The technology allows users to feel the actual forces on a steering wheel or flight stick when playing flight simulator. In the early 2000's Microsoft developed a popular flightstick (Sidewinder Force Feedback 2) that had this feature. Unfortunately, this joystick isn't produced anymore and didn't get a successor.
If you are looking for a high-quality force feedback joystick we suggest you take a look at joysticks from Brunner Innovation.
Are joysticks compatibilty with other PC flight controls?
Yes. You can combine all hardware as long as each device has its own USB connection. I.e., there are no issues when you combine a joystick from a brand with a throttle of another brand.
Are there any wireless joysticks?
No. There are no wireless flight simulator joysticks available.
Not sure what hardware fits best?
You can find a lot of different Flight Simulator Joysticks on this page. But what if you're not completely sure what type of controller fits you best?
No worries! We've got you covered with a dedicated page for beginning pilots. On this page, we guide you through the different models and options and explain everything about joysticks, yokes, rudder pedals, and throttles.
