The world of simulation doesn’t just revolve around motor racing. Aviation is a field that benefits from simulation technologies, long before the tracks of our favorite motor racing events became virtual.

As you know, to become a pilot of an airliner, fighter or transport aircraft, you need to have a certain number of hours (often quantified in the hundreds) to qualify for flight licenses. Every aircraft is different, so you need to have accumulated a great many hours on a simulator before you can touch the real controls of an aircraft.

All this is done with two things in mind: safety and cost. The first allows you to learn to fly without endangering yourself or others, and the second limits the amount of money spent on training. As a result, the best way to learn to fly is on a simulator, for those embarking on this career.

When it comes to simulated flying, you’ll need some very specific equipment, not least sleeves. And that’s just as well, because today we’re going to take a look at flight simulation, highlighting the equipment you’ll need.

Control stick, throttle and rudder pedal

As with sim-racing, you need basic flight-sim equipment. In racing simulation, we talk about Direct Drive bases, steering wheel and pedals. For flight-sim, it’s more or less the same, in the sense that you need a stick, throttle and rudder pedal to make flights, whether in normal or combat conditions.

For the handle, you have several options, from the least realistic to the most immersive on the list. Whatever you choose, you need to pick a device that reflects your aircraft-flying preferences.

If you’re drawn to airliners, then you’ll naturally go for a set-up using a Yoke. Whereas those who lean more towards aerial combat and dogfighting will turn to specific setups. There are several products to suit your preferences, such as the Honeycomb Alpha Flight Control Yoke, which comes in the form of a base with a stick and several controls. Thrustmaster also offers such peripherals, like the TCA Yoke Boeing Edition, developed in collaboration with the US aircraft manufacturer.

For pilots who are fans of aerial combat, there are a number of joysticks to choose from, including several from Thrustmaster, with official U.S. fighter plane licenses (F/A 18, F16, etc.). The list is long, and I’ll just mention a few options such as :

The throttle is a slightly different story, as it is often bundled with the handles. It can be found on the Thrustmaster T.16000Meven though the joystick incorporates a thumbwheel for motor control.

The throttle is both specific equipment for seasoned pilots, and generic for amateurs. Some will opt for a stand-alone peripheral for maximum realism (Moza MTP Throttle), while others will be looking for rudimentary thrust adjustment.

As for the rudder pedal, which controls the aircraft’s rudders, the choice is dictated much more by the degree of immersion you want. For amateur pilots, the Thrustmaster TFRP at €110 will do the trick. More experienced pilots will go for the Thrustmaster TPRbut its price is high, approaching €550. Once again, the rider’s level will determine the equipment to choose, and therefore the degree of immersion.

A cockpit

Cockpits are specifically designed structures used to support all types of simulation equipment, whether for motor racing or aviation.

Since the two disciplines are very similar, the cockpits, or chassis, are based on the same structure and design. The resemblance is so obvious that brands that sell sim-racing cockpits also offer flight-sim versions.

Next Level Racing is the perfect example of a manufacturer active in both disciplines, with very similar offerings. For flight-sim, the Australian brand offers a complete catalog, with budget-friendly options for pilots who want to get started in the discipline, and of course professional solutions for seasoned pilots.

For this list, I’m going to present 2 cockpits that should appeal to everyone. First, the Flight Stand Pro is a “stand” chassis aimed at configurations with side-mounted controls. You can use it for airliners with side-mounted controls, like the new Boeing and Airbus, or for fighter jets. In real life, you can have a setup with a Yoke in the center, but the piloting position is far too close to the chassis. The Flight Stand Pro retails for €550 and represents the perfect combination of value for money, customization and immersion.

The second option is the Next Level Racing Flight Simulator Cockpitwhich is a more high-end chassis than the previous one. This time, you get the full setup, with cockpit and bucket seat, unlike the Flight Stand Pro. Controls can be positioned either on the sides or in the center, providing an excellent flying position. This chassis is more expensive than the first, at €800, but remains far more versatile for aircraft pilots who dabble in a bit of everything.

Brackets and other accessories

Let’s finish off with some brackets to enhance your setup. Depending on the chassis you have, it’s best to add brackets to accommodate the various flight simulation equipment.

Following our lead with Next Level Racing, the brand offers numerous options for its chassis, such as keyboard and mouse mounts, as well as others for the various flight-sim peripherals you have on your setup. And let’s not forget the screen mounts, generally for 1 or 3-monitor configurations.

Depending on the cockpit you have, some brackets are compatible with it, others are not. Bear in mind that each manufacturer offers accessories for its own products, unless your chassis is made of aluminum profiles, which are much more versatile in terms of customization.

Packages range in price from €130 to €400, with one of the most popular, the Flight Pack F-GT/GT Trackwhich transforms a selection of Next Level Racing sim-racing cockpits into flight-sim cockpits. It’s an excellent pack, perfect for pilots who are fans of car and plane racing, and these accessories can be exchanged for €130.