HOTAS & Joysticks

HOTAS 4: Thrustmaster's PS4/PS5/PC Stick Explained

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"HOTAS 4" is what most people type when they mean the Thrustmaster T.Flight HOTAS 4 — the joystick-and-throttle system that's currently the only officially confirmed flight stick for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 on PS5, and one of a small handful of sticks that work across PS4, PS5 and PC without swapping hardware.

What "HOTAS 4" actually refers to

There's no separate product just called "HOTAS 4" — every retailer listing and search result under that short name is the same Thrustmaster T.Flight HOTAS 4. It's part of Thrustmaster's numbered T.Flight line, which also includes the HOTAS One (Xbox-licensed) and HOTAS X (PC-only, older model), so the number matters when you're comparing listings.

What comes with it

The T.Flight HOTAS 4 is a two-piece system: a stick and a full-size, detachable throttle. Per Thrustmaster's own spec sheet, you get 5 axes, 14 buttons, one rapid-fire trigger, and one multi-directional hat switch. The throttle detaches so you can fly with it on a desk or braced on your lap, and the whole base is weighted for stability during flight. Rudder input works two ways — twisting the stick handle, which has a lock so you can disable it if you'd rather use the lever, or tilting a separate progressive lever on the throttle. It's a wired system with a single USB connection and no wireless mode.

Why it's the go-to for PS5 right now

According to Thrustmaster and reporting on Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024's console launch, the T.Flight HOTAS 4 is the only flight stick with confirmed, officially licensed compatibility for that game on PS5 as of late 2025/2026 coverage — more sticks are reportedly in development for PlayStation, but they weren't available at the time of that reporting. If you're buying specifically to fly MSFS 2024 on a PS5, this narrows the decision for you: it's effectively the default pick until more PS5-licensed sticks ship.

Thrustmaster T.Flight HOTAS 4

Where it fits against other HOTAS tiers

Compared to Thrustmaster's PC-only lineup, the HOTAS 4 sits below the metal-built HOTAS Warthog and the twist-rudder T.16000M FCS on raw button count and build material — both of those are PC-only sticks aimed at PC simmers who want more mapped controls or heavier construction. The HOTAS 4's advantage is platform reach: it's the same physical stick whether you're on your PS5, your PS4, or your PC, which matters if you split time between console and desktop. If you're PC-only and never plan to use a console, the T.16000M FCS or a full HOTAS X gives you more axes and buttons for similar or less money. If PlayStation compatibility is non-negotiable, the HOTAS 4 is close to the only game in town right now.

What games actually support it

Console flight-stick support depends on the individual game adding HOTAS input, not just the hardware being plugged in. Confirmed HOTAS-compatible titles on PlayStation include Ace Combat 7, War Thunder, and Star Wars Squadrons, alongside Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 on PS5. Not every flight-adjacent PS5 game supports stick input — some space and flight games, including No Man's Sky, don't have a flight model built around stick-and-throttle control, so check a specific game's control settings menu before assuming HOTAS support exists.

How the numbering works across Thrustmaster's T.Flight line

Thrustmaster's T.Flight sticks are numbered and lettered by platform and generation rather than by a strict performance tier, which is part of why "HOTAS 4" causes confusion. The HOTAS X is the oldest, PC-only entry point in the lineup, with 5 axes and 12 buttons and no console licensing at all. The HOTAS One is the Xbox-licensed version, sharing a similar 14-button, 5-axis layout with the HOTAS 4 but built for Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One instead of PlayStation, and it adds dedicated Guide/View/Menu buttons so you can navigate the Xbox interface without reaching for a separate controller. The HOTAS 4 is, in effect, the PlayStation-licensed sibling to the HOTAS One — nearly identical hardware, different console licensing. Knowing this saves you from assuming "HOTAS 4" means "the fourth, most advanced" model; the number here tracks a specific product generation, not a straightforward quality ladder.

What the sensors and build actually mean day to day

The HOTAS 4 doesn't use Thrustmaster's H.E.A.R.T. Hall-effect sensor line the way the T.16000M FCS and HOTAS Warthog do — it's built around a simpler, more affordable sensor and construction package suited to its price point and console-first audience. In practice, that means it's less overbuilt for years of daily heavy use than the metal-based Warthog, but it's also lighter, and its plastic construction keeps the whole two-piece system easy enough to move between a desk and a shelf if you're not leaving it mounted permanently. If you're flying a few sessions a week rather than daily, this is a reasonable trade-off, not a shortcut that costs you meaningfully in day-to-day feel.

Comparing it to a step-up PC-only stick

If you ever move past console play and want a PC-only upgrade with more buttons and a sturdier gimbal, VKB's Gladiator NXT line is a common next step simmers consider — it uses a contactless magnetic sensor on its twist axis, industrial-grade housing, and three hat switches, sitting in a price tier above the HOTAS 4 but below Thrustmaster's metal-built Warthog, according to VKB's own product listings and independent reviews. That's a PC-only path, though, so it only matters if you're leaving console play behind — otherwise it doesn't solve anything the HOTAS 4 doesn't already cover for PS5, PS4 and PC together.

Setup basics

The HOTAS 4 is plug-and-play on both PlayStation and PC — no separate driver install is required to get basic input working. On PC, Thrustmaster's software lets you build custom button profiles per game; on PlayStation, mapping happens inside each individual game's control settings, since consoles don't expose the same system-level remapping tools a PC does. The stick also has internal memory that saves your programmed settings even when it's unplugged, so you don't have to reconfigure it each session.

Should you buy the HOTAS 4 or wait for a newer PS5-native stick?

If you're buying today for MSFS 2024 or another already-supported title, there's no reason to wait — the HOTAS 4 is the confirmed, working option right now. If you're specifically waiting for tighter PS5-native integration or extra features from a newer stick, it's worth watching for announcements, since Microsoft Flight Simulator's own team has said more PlayStation-licensed controllers are in the pipeline. For most buyers who just want to fly today, that's a reason to keep checking back rather than a reason to delay a purchase that already works.

Mounting it for real use

Because the HOTAS 4's throttle is meant to work loose on your lap as well as on a desk, a lot of buyers skip a mount entirely for casual play. If you're flying seriously enough to want both stick and throttle locked in place, a clamp-on desk mount or a chair-mounted arm stops the throttle from sliding during hard maneuvers — see the chair-mount guide linked below for what to look for.

A quick checklist before you buy

Confirm your console generation and whether you care about PC crossover — the HOTAS 4 covers PS5, PS4 and PC from one unit, so buying it once covers all three rather than needing a separate stick per platform. Confirm the specific game you're buying for actually lists HOTAS or flight-stick support in its control options, since owning compatible hardware doesn't guarantee a given title uses it. And if you already own PC-only Thrustmaster gear, like a T.16000M FCS or TWCS throttle, know that it won't substitute for or combine with the HOTAS 4 on console — the two ecosystems don't cross over once you're on PlayStation hardware.

Who this page is for

Built for someone who searched "HOTAS 4" wanting to know what the product actually is, whether it fits their platform, and how it compares to other Thrustmaster sticks — before going deeper into a full spec breakdown. If you want the full model-specific deep dive, including exact button maps and setup detail, see the T.Flight HOTAS 4 page linked below.

Should you buy the Thrustmaster T.Flight HOTAS 4 (PS5, PS4, PC)?

Verdict: The Thrustmaster T.Flight HOTAS 4 is the only officially licensed flight stick currently confirmed to work with Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 on PS5, and it also runs on PS4 and PC. It fits console players who want one stick across their PlayStation and PC setup, not simmers chasing metal-build durability.

Who it suits: simmers who matched their platform and use-case against the specs above and want this exact model, not a lighter or heavier alternative.

Trade-off: this is one specific model in a wider lineup — check the "Related" links on this page if your platform or budget doesn't line up with what's described above.

Check the current price on Amazon: Thrustmaster T.Flight HOTAS 4 (PS5, PS4, PC)