Flight Stick
Wings for your hands
The specialised joystick for flight and space combat games, evolving from simple sticks to full HOTAS cockpit setups.
Overview
Flight sticks are joysticks designed specifically for flight simulation and space combat games. Unlike standard gamepads or joysticks, flight sticks offer multiple axes of control, additional buttons, and often throttle controls - matching the cockpit controls of real aircraft.
From the simple Atari joystick to modern HOTAS (Hands On Throttle And Stick) setups, flight sticks enabled an entire genre of simulation gaming.
Fast Facts
- Basic joystick: 1977 (Atari 2600)
- Dedicated flight sticks: 1980s
- HOTAS systems: 1990s
- Force feedback: 1995 (Microsoft SideWinder)
- Modern standard: Multiple hat switches, throttle, twist
Evolution
Flight sticks grew more sophisticated:
| Era | Capability |
|---|---|
| 1970s | Basic 8-way stick, 1 button |
| 1980s | Analogue, multiple buttons |
| 1990s | Throttle, hat switches, HOTAS |
| 2000s | Force feedback, programmable |
| 2010s | Full cockpit setups |
Key Flight Stick Hardware
Notable controllers through the years:
| Product | Era | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Atari 2600 Joystick | 1977 | Universal standard |
| CH FlightStick | 1980s | Dedicated design |
| Thrustmaster FCS | 1990 | Throttle control |
| Microsoft SideWinder | 1995 | Force feedback |
| Saitek X52 | 2003 | HOTAS standard |
| Thrustmaster Warthog | 2010 | Replica A-10 stick |
HOTAS Systems
“Hands On Throttle And Stick” meant:
- Separate throttle unit
- Stick with twist axis or rudder pedals
- All controls at fingertips
- No keyboard needed during flight
- Immersive simulation experience
Games That Demanded Flight Sticks
| Game | Year | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Star Raiders | 1979 | 3D space combat |
| Elite | 1984 | 6 degrees of freedom |
| Wing Commander | 1990 | Space opera combat |
| X-Wing | 1993 | Star Wars dogfighting |
| Microsoft Flight Sim | 1982+ | Realistic aviation |
| DCS World | 2008+ | Military simulation |
Modern Flight Simulation
Today’s serious simmers use:
- Full HOTAS setups
- Rudder pedals
- Head tracking (TrackIR)
- VR headsets
- Multiple monitors
Investment can reach thousands of pounds.