10 Accessories to Improve Your Flight Simulator

14 min read

Microsoft's new virtual reality game has come out in virtual reality. This is one of the most realistic games ever released in virtual reality, when playing the new game you can definitely understand what Elon Musk means when he says that we may be living in a simulation

With a genre-defining experience that is both gorgeous to look at and profoundly immersive, Microsoft Flight Simulator made a triumphant return to form in 2022. In addition to tens of thousands of airports, and endless views of real-life cities and landscapes, it features high-end images and true-to-life depictions of a wide range of intricately detailed aircraft.

There are a variety of ways you can boost your own immersion too for a game (and series) so married to the authenticity of the experience of real-world flying. One option is to use real-world flight sim controls and devices such as joysticks and throttles, but there are other accessories that can also boost your experience with the Flight Simulator.

CONTENTS

A Joystick of Flight for Microsoft Flight Simulator

A Headset Comfortable for Microsoft Flight Simulator

A Superb Monitor for Microsoft Flight Simulator

With H.O.T.A.S. for Microsoft Flight Simulator

Flight Yoke System for Microsoft Flight Simulator

A Mighty Flight Sim PC for Microsoft Flight Simulator

Pedals for Flight Rudder for Microsoft Flight Simulator

Panel Flight Turn for Microsoft Flight Simulator

Trackers for Head and Eye for Microsoft Flight Simulator

Headset VR for Microsoft Flight Simulator

1. A Joystick of Flight - Microsoft Flight Simulator
Buying a joystick is one of the best ways to improve your flight simulator experience.

With a single hand, they give you immediate three-axis control where the keyboard and mouse were needed in tandem before. For the throttle or other levers, this frees up the other side.

Analog control is also provided by joysticks, allowing for complex inputs for yaw, pitch, and roll, giving you much more subtle control of your plane.

Although they aren't what most actual plane pilots use (see below for more real-world flight controls) they are far similar than either a mouse and keyboard combination or a handheld gamepad.

The Logitech G X56 H.O.T.A.S. RGB Throttle and Stick Simulation Controller for VR Gaming is a classic , It gives you 12 programmable buttons that, as well as a built-in throttle, bring all the toggleable behavior of your plane within easy reach.

You could select a more capable joystick if you have a larger budget or want anything of higher quality. But, you might want to consider any of the more advanced choices below for big money Flight Simulator controllers instead.

Military-grade Space and Flight Sim Precision. Customizable options including all the control surface options required to achieve the exact level of performance that aspiring combat pilots demand
New Mini Analog Stick Control Surfaces: Control pitch, roll, yaw, backwards, forwards, up, down, left and right as well as gimballed weapons that are controlled separately from the space craft
RGB Backlighting: Many PC peripherals now feature RGB backlighting and the X-56 is no exception. Use the software to set the color of the lighting to match the rest of your gaming rig
Ideal for VR: The X-56 places controls perfectly under your fingers where subtle distinctions in button feel and shape help you navigate the control set with ease
Fully Featured HOTAS: Accurate 16-bit aileron and elevator axis with hall-effect sensors. Adjustable Stick Force via Advanced 4-Spring System. Twin Throttles with Friction Adjuster and Throttle Lock
Cable Length: 2 m

The products can be purchased at the following sites:

2. A Headset - Microsoft Flight Simulator Comfortable Although real-life pilots need a great headset to interact crystal clear with ground control stations and their colleagues in the aircraft itself, Flight Simulator pilots need a great headset to appreciate all the beautiful work that has gone into the sound design of the game.

From detailed renditions of the engines of the aircraft to the bump and rattle of takeoffs and landings, to the patter of rain on the windscreen and chassis; all of this will make a huge difference to the overall immersion of the game.

Great headsets deliver virtual surround sound, a supportive headband and earcups, and audio customization that lets you customize the sound to just how you want it.

But actually, the best headset to increase your experience with the Flight Simulator depends on your personal headset design preferences, whether you want a wired or wireless headset, and your budget.

With this in mind, for additional comfort, the Steelseries Arctis 5 is a beloved gaming headset with fantastic virtual surround sound and a comfortable ski-google-like headband.

The Logitech G Pro X wireless Lightspeed headset provides great range, battery life, and excellent audio if you have a higher budget or prefer a wireless design for more freedom of movement while flying.

Designed for everywhere you game, with superior sound, comfort and style on all console gaming platforms, including PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and mobile
The clear cast mic is the best mic in gaming, delivering studio quality voice clarity and background noise cancellation
The S1 speaker drivers are engineered to produce a detailed, balanced soundscape with ultra low distortion, for your games, music, movies and more
The exclusive Skin goggle suspension headband perfectly contours across your entire head, comfortably distributing the Weight and eliminating pressure points
Constructed with strong, ultra lightweight materials for maximum comfort and durability
SteelSeries cannot guarantee the quality or authenticity of products sold by non-authorized resellers on Amazon, and they are not eligible for warranty. Authorized retailers: Amazon.com, Adorama Inc, Encore Technology, Spacebound

The products can be purchased at the following sites:

3. A Superb Monitor - Microsoft Flight Simulator
Your Flight Simulator experience will only be as good as the display you view it from, regardless of what settings you run the game at.

If you're stuck with a low resolution and refresh rate on a small screen, you'll find that the game's details just don't stand out in the way they would be on anything more high-end.

You don't need to spend the world having a fantastic gaming monitor, though.

MSI Non-Glare Ultra Wide 21: 9 Aspect ratio 3440 X 1440 (Uwqhd) 144Hz Refresh Rate 1ms HDR 400 3K Resolution 34" Freesync Curved Gaming Monitor (OPTIX MPG341CQR),Black

However, if your budget can reach further, with some of the higher resolution and ultrawide displays out there, you can really unlock an immersive experience.

See the section below for more on the sort of PC you need to run Microsoft Flight Simulator at its prettiest and most interactive.

Curved gaming display (1800R) – the best gameplay immersion
Uwqhd high resolution: GAME titles will even look better, displaying more details due to the UWQHD resolution
Gamesense: Conductively enables external Game alerts via RGB LED Lighting with the hottest competitive online games
1ms response time: eliminate screen tearing and choppy frame rates
Hdr 400: stunning visuals with the most Criterion format

The products can be purchased at the following sites:

4. Thrustmaster F-16C Viper HOTAS Add-On Grip (Windows) - Microsoft Flight Simulator
An extension of the power provided by a typical joystick is H.O.T.A.S, or hands-on throttle-and-stick. It provides you with the same power with three axes, but with a far more complex and robust throttle system.

For improved control, it also includes its own buttons and switches and the option of additional customizable key mapping as well.

There is a sliding scale of quality depending on your budget and personal requirements, like any other Microsoft Flight Simulator accessory, but the Thrustmaster T.16000M Hotas Flight Stick and Throttle is a fantastic starting point that does not compromise on quality.

It employs the same underlying technology as the more high-end versions from Thrustmaster, but at a fraction of the price. It involves four-axis control, in any direction, and precise, linear control.

The throttle of the Thrustmaster Arm Control System allows gamers the ability to fine-tune speed even more precisely than a keyboard and mouse, and with a smoother, more satisfying motion than the throttle control installed by a joystick.

Its ergonomic nature is both comfortable and supportive, making it ideal for long-haul flights and faster engagements where you always need to fill the throttle to get your aircraft's optimum performance.

Thrustmaster also employs its excellent tracking and high-accuracy joystick control in its Warthog HOTAS if you have more to invest. For those who want a more real-life flight sim accessory, this Flight Sim controller features a more professional, utilitarian look.

Life-size (1:1 scale) replica of the real F-16C Viper flight stick.
100% metal design incorporating durable, industrial-grade materials for an authentic feel and maximum product lifespan.
19 action buttons in total, plus one 8-way “point of view” hat switch.
Native integration in the game DCS via the dedicated DCS: F-16C Viper module (game and module sold separately), and compatible in all other flight simulation games.
Compatible with three joystick bases in Thrustmaster’s flight simulation ecosystem: HOTAS Cougar*, HOTAS Warthog and HOTAS Magnetic Base (all sold separately; * button 19 is inactive on the HOTAS Cougar).

The products can be purchased at the following sites:

5. System of Flight Yoke - Microsoft Flight Simulator
A Flight Yoke is the next move up from an H.O.T.A.S. and a regulation that more resembles the kind used in commercial jets rather than helicopters.

Dual-hand control makes it easier to make fine-tuned manoeuvrers, no matter what you're flying, and top-tier solutions include safe mounting points to let you repair your flight yoke in place for a robust flight experience.

The Logitech G Flight Yoke System, which is designed using precision bearings and stainless steel for solid, smooth operation, is a nice, inexpensive choice, allowing you to be as gentle or as rough as you want in managing the aircraft through the skies.

For complete control of any aircraft, you get absolute, three-axis control, and the 25-programmable buttons provide you with immediate access to a variety of functions within easy reach.

The built-in stopwatch is a pleasant touch that other jokes overlook. This makes it much easier to approach timing and take-offs and allows you to stay immersed with your individual control rather than resorting to a secondary gadget or smartphone timer.

The yoke comes with an additional throttle quadrant, entirely programmable for controlling flaps, throttle, fuel mixture, or a number of other flight aspects that were previously merely toggled or mouse-controlled, with each of the three levers.

In the future, if you want to extend the feature, you can also add additional quadrants.

With its Alpha Flight Controls yoke and transfer pack, Honeycomb Aeronautical has another great option for a flight yoke. It is specifically designed to prevent any issues with dead zone tracking and was designed to offer the most realistic Flight Sim experience possible in conjunction with real pilots.

It doesn't have a throttle component yet, but there is one in the works for Honeycomb Aeronautical and it's coming soon.

Fly as a rookie or as a veteran commercial and private aircraft, with a joystick and genuine simulation dial. Build muscle memory and experience the sensations of precise and realistic control.The Logitech G Flight Yoke System with included throttle quadrant has a total of five axes, stainless steel control shaft for rudder and spoilers and 25 fully programmable buttons and switch positions. The joystick system is the hero of flight simulation and part of a complete and balanced set based on modular and interchangeable components from Logitech G.The Logitech G Flight Yoke System with included throttle quadrant has a total of five axes, stainless steel control shaft for rudder and spoilers and 25 fully programmable buttons and switch positions. The joystick system is the hero of flight simulation and part of a complete and balanced set based on modular and interchangeable components from Logitech G.

The products can be purchased at the following sites:

6. A Mighty Flight Sim PC - Microsoft Flight Simulator

9th Generation Intel Core i7 9750H 6 Core Processor (Up to 4.5GHz) with Windows 10 Home 64 Bit
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti Graphics with 6GB of dedicated GDDR6 VRAM
15.6 inches Full HD (1920 x 1080) Widescreen LED backlit IPS Display (144Hz Refresh Rate, 3ms Overdrive Response Time, 300nit Brightness and 72 percentage NTSC)
16GB DDR4 2666MHz Memory, 256GB PCIe NVMe SSD (2 x PCIe M.2 Slots; 1 Slot Open for Easy Upgrades) and 1 Available Hard Drive Bay
Backlit Keyboard; LAN: Killer Ethernet E2500 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet LAN; Wireless: Killer DoubleShot Pro Wireless AC 1550 802. 11ac; 4th Gen All Metal AeroBlade 3D Fan

The products can be purchased at the following sites:

7. Microsoft Flight Simulator - Pedals for Flight Rudder pedals are an aircraft controller that flight sim fans too frequently forget, but they can add a surprising amount of immersion to your experience with the Flight Simulator.

They give you the opportunity to monitor the taxiing of your aircraft with your feet on runways-a much more life-like experience than turning a yoke or joystick-and when playing without yaw dampening, they really come in handy.

Some of the most beloved of all pedal accessories are the Logitech G Pro Flight Rudder Pedals, which complement the yoke, throttle, and other Logitech peripherals.

They are fully adjustable for whatever size your feet might be and also have a tension adjustment wheel so that for extra support you can absolutely rest your feet on them, or make them feather-light for fine control. Left and right toe brakes are also included, perfect for fine control during takeoff and landing.

Smooth and accurate self-centering rudder pedals add another layer of realistic control to your flight simulation setup
Whether you prefer the lighter response of a small aircraft or the more robust feel of a heavy jet, a simple twist of the Adjustable Tension Dial will have you flying your way.
Differential Toe Brakes deliver the full control you need when bringing your aircraft up to its stand on the runway

The products can be purchased at the following sites:

8. Panel Flight Turn - Microsoft Flight Simulator
Nothing feels as satisfying as flicking switches and clicking real keys, but a lot of the tactile feel is missing from digital sports. However, with Flight Sims, with a flight turn screen, you can adjust that.

They have toggle real-world switches, turn on everything from the different avionic lights, to the master ignition switch, lift and lower the landing gear, and much more.

At the end of 2020, support for switch panels in the new Microsoft Flight Simulator is a bit limited, so you need to make sure that some measure of official (or unofficial) support has been given to everyone not designed to work with the game.

One that we can guarantee that works as expected is the Logitech Flight Switch Pad, one of the most common solutions for other flight sims, too (formerly Saitek Flight Switch Panel). It includes 13 adjustable switches, a level of up and down gear, built-in lights, and a magneto dial with five positions that allows you to control the magnetos in your different engines individually.

If that excites you more than it confuses you, a Flight Sim controller switch panel might really boost your experience with the Flight Simulator.

The panel is specially designed to support the Honeycomb and Saitek/Logitech Yoke.
Compatible with Saitek Logitech and Honeycomb yoke,Saitek Logitech flight panel.
Made of aluminum alloy, light and stable after locking.
Include LDE lamp and control switch use USB port.
The panel is fixed to the edge of the table by 3 lockable brackets.Clamping range 0.5-2.2 inch.

The products can be purchased at the following sites:

9. Trackers for Head and Eye - Microsoft Flight Simulator
One of the only real downsides of using a comprehensive selection of Flight Simulator accessories is that when you choose to look out a window or display a dial that is just out of reach, you lose immediate access to the easy and intuitive view control of a mouse.

By providing a more realistic way of looking around you in-game, head and gaze tracking will revolutionize your gaming experience.

With bespoke hardware for the job, the more common way to do so is.

TrackIR 4 and 5 (they're a little hard to find at the time of writing due to the popularity of Flight Simulator) and Tobii's various eye trackers are common solutions there, as they give you industry-leading precision in tracking head and look.

There is no formal support at this point, but users have both collaborated with FaceTrackNoIRIR (it also works with standard webcams, though to a lesser degree of accuracy).

You can also achieve a similar effect with your phone and the Opentrack software if you have a smartphone with a depth-sensing camera (like an iPhone X or 11). You will find a guide here on how to do exactly that.

Single wear: Only one sensor on the head can realize full-scale true 6-axis (6DOF) tracking, without wearing any attached sensors
True 6-axis: The 6-axis data is solved by a single algorithm using a special algorithm. The transition is smooth and natural. The non-castration version is converted into a false 6-axis
Simple setting: After installing the software, inserting the head sight, and wearing the sensor, you only need to set it up in three simple steps
One-button calibration: sit the head sensor at the receiver, press F12 to center it, without complicated settings and calibration
No need for charging: USB power supply, no need to charge, can be used after booting, not affected by battery life

The products can be purchased at the following sites:

10. Headset VR - Microsoft Flight Simulator
Virtual reality can be one of the best ways to play a variety of genres of sports, but few can be as successful as cockpit games. When you're actually in the game, you don't need much room, you can stay seated, and you can look all around you-no bespoke head tracking required.

At the time of publishing, the only drawback of virtual reality is that in-game support isn't there quite yet. However, it was promised by Microsoft by the fall of 2020, so it should be just around the corner.

The HP Reverb G2, a headset that was developed in collaboration with both Valve and Microsoft, is the first headset to receive official support for the Flight Simulator. With cutting edge resolution and inside-out-tracking characteristics, it's super high end.

It, too, is not yet completely available, but it is coming very soon. Other headsets would presumably also receive assistance, but nothing has yet been confirmed.

Photo of the VR headset HP Reverb G2 for Flight Sim
Ultimately, a PC update could be the best option.
Until that's verified, it's best not to fork out just for Flight Simulator for a VR headset, as they can be very pricey, but in the meantime you may want to consider a PC upgrade.

VR headsets bring a whole new level to demand, just as taxing as high-resolution gaming is. You not only need to attain incredibly high resolutions (4,320 x 2,160 on the Reverb G2), but you also need to achieve comfortable frame rates of about 90Hz.

You'll need a truly cutting-edge gaming PC for that. Nothing else can manage otherwise to even come close to powering it.

Get in touch with one of our many specialists and they will help put together a PC that is well tailored to all your needs for Flight Sim!