Flight Sim Hardware

Flight Simulator Hardware: Yokes, HOTAS, Throttles & Pedals

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Flight simulator hardware breaks down into four control types: HOTAS (a stick and throttle built as one matched system), a yoke with a separate throttle quadrant, rudder pedals, and full cockpit or panel kits that hold everything in a fixed rig. Most people building a first setup only need one of the first two, plus pedals if the aircraft they fly has a rudder that matters.

Start with what you fly, not what looks impressive

A HOTAS suits fighter jets, general combat sims and anything where the throttle and stick sit under one hand each, mirroring a fighter cockpit. A yoke and quadrant suits airliners and most general-aviation trainers, where the real aircraft has a wheel-style control instead of a center stick. If you fly a mix of both, many simmers keep a HOTAS as their main rig and add a yoke later rather than starting with both.

Check console compatibility before you buy, not after

PC and Xbox are not interchangeable ecosystems for flight-sim hardware. A controller has to be explicitly licensed and labeled "Designed for Xbox" to connect to an Xbox Series X|S — this is a hardware and licensing requirement, not just a driver issue. Older or PC-only HOTAS units, including most classic Thrustmaster and Logitech sticks, simply will not pair with an Xbox console. If you're buying for console, look for that Xbox label on the listing itself before adding anything to your cart.

Rudder pedals are the most skipped, most useful add-on

New simmers often skip pedals and fly yaw through twist-stick or paddle controls. That works, but it's a real compromise once you fly anything with a rudder that matters on the ground or in a crosswind — taildraggers, most warbirds, and a lot of general-aviation trainers. Pedals are usually the first accessory worth adding after your primary stick or yoke.

Cockpit kits are a later-stage purchase

A dedicated cockpit or panel kit — a frame that mounts your stick, throttle, pedals and often a second monitor for gauges — is worth it once you already know your control layout and fly often enough to want a permanent setup. It's rarely the right first purchase, because you'll want to confirm your stick and throttle choice before building a frame around it.

Specific product picks for each control type live on their own pages below, routed by what you're setting up rather than crammed onto this overview.

Who this guide is for

Built for someone assembling their first flight-sim control setup, or upgrading one piece at a time. If you already know you want a HOTAS, the HOTAS guide below covers stick-and-throttle systems in more depth, including which ones are actually licensed for Xbox.

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Ready to compare actual hardware against what's above? See our flight-controller roundup for our current picks and pricing.