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The short answer
The Thrustmaster T.Flight HOTAS 5 is the newest and most complete officially licensed PS5 HOTAS, the T.Flight HOTAS 4 is a proven, lower-cost alternative, and the HORI Ace Combat 8 stick is the pick if that specific title is your main reason for buying.
PS5 HOTAS options are narrower than PC ones. A flight stick has to be licensed for PlayStation to work on the console at all. Here are three current picks, all officially licensed, for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 and other PS5 flight games.
Officially licensed for Microsoft Flight Simulator, listed for PS5, PS4 and PC
16-bit resolution across 5 axes, with 14 buttons and a rapid-fire trigger
Detachable throttle with a rudder lever as well as stick twist
Adjustable stick resistance
Keep in mind: adding rudder pedals means buying the TFRP separately.
Product details checked September 2026
This HOTAS carries the official Microsoft Flight Simulator license. It reads 5 axes at 16-bit resolution, with 14 buttons and a rapid-fire trigger. The throttle detaches. You steer the rudder by twisting the stick or with a tilting lever on the throttle. It is confirmed to work on PS5, PS4 and Windows PC.
#2. Thrustmaster T.Flight HOTAS 4: best proven, lower-cost PS5 HOTAS
Throttle detaches, so the two halves can sit apart
Rudder by twisting the stick or by a tilting lever on the throttle
Adjustable stick resistance on a weighted base
Keep in mind: rudder input runs through stick twist or a throttle lever rather than dedicated pedals.
Product details checked September 2026
Sony licenses the HOTAS 4. Thrustmaster's spec sheet lists 5 axes, 14 buttons, a rapid-fire trigger and a hat switch. It is plug and play on PS5, PS4 and PC. The stick sits on a weighted base, and you can adjust its resistance.
Like the HOTAS 5, its throttle detaches. It has been on the market longer than the HOTAS 5, so it has a longer track record. Our HOTAS 4 review covers it in full.
#3. HORI Ace Combat 8 Flight Stick: best PS5 stick built around one title
Keep in mind: it is licensed around one franchise rather than built as a general-purpose flight sim HOTAS.
Product details checked September 2026
Both Sony and Bandai Namco license this stick. It uses contactless magnetic sensors. Throttle and brake levers are built into the unit, and it works for left or right hands. It runs on PS5, PS4 and Windows PC.
Factors to consider when choosing a PS5 HOTAS
Why PC HOTAS hardware doesn't just work on PS5
On a console, stick support runs through licensing, not general USB support. Most PC-only sticks won't be seen by a PS5 at all. That matches how most classic PC HOTAS gear won't connect to an Xbox. It is a hardware and license rule built into the console. It is not a driver or software gap you can work around.
Games that actually support HOTAS input
Owning a licensed stick isn't enough on its own. The game also has to support HOTAS input. Games known to support it include Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, Ace Combat 7, War Thunder and Star Wars Squadrons.
Some flight-style games skip stick support entirely. Their flight model isn't built around a stick and throttle. There, a HOTAS does nothing useful, even though the console sees the hardware. Always check a game's control settings before buying with just one game in mind.
Twist rudder or pedals
All three picks give you some form of rudder without pedals. The Thrustmaster sticks use a twist of the stick or a tilting lever on the throttle. That is fine for most flying.
If you land in crosswinds a lot or fly slow planes, real pedals help. Thrustmaster's TFRP pedals are listed for PS5 and plug into either T.Flight HOTAS. Our rudder pedals roundup covers them.
Desk space and seating
All three picks are built to sit on a desk. The two Thrustmaster sets have a throttle that detaches. You can spread the stick and throttle to match your shoulders, or rest the throttle in your lap. The HORI stick keeps its throttle and brake levers on one unit, so it takes a single spot. If you play from a sofa, check that the USB cable reaches the console before your first session.
Setting a PS5 HOTAS up the first time
Plug the stick into a free USB port and the PS5 sees it on its own, like any wired accessory. There is no pairing step and no app. You map buttons and axes in each game's own controls menu, not in maker software. That is different from the PC side, where Thrustmaster's T.A.R.G.E.T. software handles mapping outside the game.
After you plug in for the first time, test every axis and button in the game's control screen, if it has one. Check that full stick travel reads correctly before you rely on the setup in a real session.
A HOTAS versus a standard DualSense controller
A standard DualSense pad can fly most PS5 flight games too. Its analog sticks handle pitch and roll, and its triggers handle throttle. A HOTAS earns its place by giving pitch, roll, yaw and throttle their own physical controls. On a pad, two thumbsticks share all of those jobs.
A HOTAS also has enough extra buttons to bind weapons, views or system toggles without digging through a menu. If you fly casually or are trying a flight game for the first time, the DualSense you already own is a fair way to start.
Verdict: the best PS5 HOTAS to buy
For most PS5 pilots flying Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, the T.Flight HOTAS 5 is the best PS5 HOTAS right now. It is the newest pick and carries the official Microsoft Flight Simulator license. The T.Flight HOTAS 4 is a solid, proven choice with a longer track record. The HORI Ace Combat 8 stick is worth it if that game is your main reason for buying a stick at all.
FAQ
Can any PC HOTAS just plug into a PS5?
No. A flight stick has to be specifically licensed for PlayStation to be recognized on a PS5, the same way Xbox requires its own separate licensing. Most PC-only sticks will not connect to a PS5 at all, this is a hardware and licensing requirement, not something a driver update fixes.
Will a PS5 HOTAS work with any flight game?
Only games that specifically add HOTAS or stick-and-throttle input support. Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, Ace Combat 7, War Thunder, and Star Wars Squadrons are confirmed titles. Some flight-adjacent PS5 games don't support stick input at all because their flight model isn't built around it, so check the specific game's control options first.
Are more PS5-licensed HOTAS sticks coming?
Reportedly yes. Additional PlayStation-licensed controllers are said to be in development, though no specific release dates have been confirmed. For now, the T.Flight HOTAS 4 and HOTAS 5 remain the confirmed working options for general flight sim use.
