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The short answer
The Thrustmaster T.Flight HOTAS 5 MSFS Edition is the newest and most complete officially licensed PS5 pick, the T.Flight HOTAS 4 is the proven budget option, and the HORI Ace Combat 8 stick is worth it if you play that specific title.
PS5 flight simulator controls need official PlayStation licensing to work in a game. Plugging in over USB is not enough. Sony limits third-party input devices on the PS5. So a stick built for PC will often show up as a generic controller in the system menu, then do nothing once you load a flight sim. Here are four current picks, all officially licensed.
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 and has 14 buttons and a rapid-fire trigger. The throttle detaches.
You can steer the rudder by twisting the stick or with a tilting lever on the throttle. It works on PS5, PS4 and PC. Our PS5 HOTAS roundup compares it with the other licensed sticks.
#2. Thrustmaster T.Flight HOTAS 4: best proven budget 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
The HOTAS 4 is listed for PS5, PS4 and PC. Its throttle detaches, so the two halves can sit apart. You steer the rudder by twisting the stick or with a tilting lever on the throttle. The stick sits on a weighted base, and you can adjust its resistance. It has been on the market longer than the HOTAS 5, so it has a longer track record on PlayStation and PC.
#3. HORI Ace Combat 8 Flight Stick: best PS5 stick for that specific title
Keep in mind: it is licensed around one franchise rather than 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 right into the unit. It works for left or right hands, and it runs on PS5, PS4 and Windows PC.
#4. Thrustmaster TFRP Rudder Pedals: best pedal add-on for PS5
Keep in mind: it adds rudder input only, not a full replacement for a HOTAS's twist-stick yaw.
Product details checked September 2026
The TFRP has a self-centering rudder axis with long travel. It slides on four aluminum rails. It is listed for PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC. That makes it one of the few pedal sets confirmed on all three current MSFS platforms. Our rudder pedals roundup covers it next to PC-only pedals.
Factors to consider when choosing PS5 flight simulator controls
The licensing wall is the whole story
The PS5 supports third-party flight controllers only when they are licensed or certified for the console. That is a hardware and firmware rule, much like the Designed for Xbox label on the Xbox side. It means a controller's PC support tells you nothing about the PS5.
An uncertified USB joystick can appear in the PS5's device menu and still never work inside a game. Many uncertified sticks show up as generic controllers. A game has to support that generic input on purpose to read them.
Why Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 changed the picture
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 launched on PS5 and PS5 Pro in December 2025. That pushed makers to build licensed PS5 hardware, instead of leaving PS5 pilots to hope a PC stick would work. As of this writing, Thrustmaster's licensed T.Flight line is the dependable path for general flight sim use.
What to check before you buy
Look for a clear PS5 claim on the product listing itself. A listing that only says USB or PC is not enough. A stick built for Xbox doesn't carry a PS5 license by default, and the reverse is true too. The two consoles run separate certification programs. A controller has to be built and licensed for the exact platform you fly on.
Setting one up the first time
A licensed PS5 flight stick connects like any wired PS5 accessory. Plug it into a free USB port and the console sees it on its own. There is no pairing step and no app.
Inside Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, you assign functions to the buttons and axes in the game's own controls menu. You don't use maker software, which is a real difference from the PC side. Set aside a few minutes to check that pitch, roll, yaw and throttle all read correctly before you fly.
One stick or stick plus pedals
A HOTAS alone is enough to start. Twisting the stick handles the rudder well for most flying. Pedals start to matter when you taxi a lot, land in crosswinds or fly slow planes. At that point, the TFRP adds a real rudder axis to either Thrustmaster HOTAS.
More in this guide
Best flight simulator controls: the full cross-platform roundup covering HOTAS, yokes, and throttles for PC, Xbox, and PS5 together.
Verdict: the best PS5 flight simulator controls
For most players, the best PS5 flight simulator controls start with the T.Flight HOTAS 5 MSFS Edition. It is the newest pick and carries the official Microsoft Flight Simulator license. The T.Flight HOTAS 4 is a solid, proven choice if you want to spend less. The HORI Ace Combat 8 stick is worth it if that is the game you play. Add the TFRP pedals to any of these once ground handling and crosswinds start to matter.
Usually not. Most PC-focused flight sticks are not natively compatible with PS5 because Sony requires official console licensing for third-party controllers. Plugging one in might show it in the device list without it actually working in-game.
What is the best flight stick for PS5 right now?
Thrustmaster currently has the most complete officially licensed PS5 lineup: the T.Flight HOTAS 5 Microsoft Flight Simulator Edition and the T.Flight HOTAS 4. The HOTAS 5 MSFS Edition is the newest of the two and ships with the official Microsoft Flight Simulator license.
Does Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 support HOTAS controls on PS5?
Yes. Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 came to PS5 in December 2025 and supports HOTAS-style controls from officially licensed sticks, which drove the current run of PS5-certified flight controllers from Thrustmaster.
