Types of Flight Simulator Controllers and Accessories



Posted: Monday, January 31, 2011

by Simon Timley
http://www.flyingairplanegames.com

If you've ever flown a flight simulator, you know the importance of being able to control several different parameters of the plane, all at once. The keyboard and mouse are good starter hardware, but if you want to experience flying in a more realistic fashion, then you should check out some of the many available flight simulator controllers available.

The best way to improve your home gaming experience is by adding the the appropriate flight simulator accessories to your gaming setup. These accessories connect to your Mac or PC through the USB port, and provide buttons which you can use to perform a variety of tasks within the flight simulator. These flight sim accessories give you a more lifelike feeling of flying in the cockpit of a plane or helicopter, and can be a cost-effective way to add to your enjoyment.

The most popular flight sim controllers are flight sticks, yokes, throttle controllers and rudder pedals. Let's look at each of these accessories in more detail:

1. Flight Sticks are joysticks specifically for flying games. Fighter pilots use flight sticks for navigating the aircraft and firing missiles and guns. These are the cheapest addition to your setup, but go a long way to add realism and fun. Make sure you get one that has enough buttons, and that rests solidly on your desk.

2. Flight Yokes - or control columns - are devices you hold in both hands and use to modify the plane attitude. You program the axes of motion on the yoke to manipulate plane parameters such as aileron and elevator movement, throttle, mix and pop. Just as a car has a steering wheel, many actual plane cockpits have flight yokes.

3. Throttle Controllers - these devices include several levers, which you adjust to control parameters in the flight simulation game such as throttle, fuel mixture, and elevator trim. These give you analog control over the values, and stay in a given position after you move it there.

4. Rudder Controllers and Pedals - these pedals let you use your foot to command the rudder and toe brakes of the aircraft in your flight sim (just like the gas pedal and brake in a car). These are also analog, such that harder you push, the more your plane brakes in the game.
You can mix and match these accessories as much as the space around your desk and your budget allows. Several companies also sell starter kits, which combine several of these accessories together for a discounted price.

So what are the best flight simulation accessories available? Check out my comprehensive article on the best flight simulator controllers and accessories.
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