Im just wondering what you guys think is the best method for controlling your plane while flying… Im on xbox and have started to do some formation flying… does anyone have an opinion on which option is best for precise flying and control of the aircraft?
1 Like
Stick, Throttle and Rudder.
5 Likes
I have Xbox and PC. I use a controller on the Xbox and a Hotas on the PC. Whilst I find the controller usable I definitely get better control on the Hotas flight stick. I just find that with the thumb stick and triggers on the controller I tend to over correct quite a bit especially in tricky flying/landing situations. On the Hotas with the greater throw of the stick I can control my own impulses a lot better. Adjusting sensitivity setting on the controller helps a lot but not to the extent on using a flight stick. I’m considering getting the TB flight stick for the Xbox - the only thing that puts me off is having to run a cable across the lounge floor.
1 Like
It is really not that much of a mystery…a real stick, for example in a Super Cup, going from full left to full right aileron probably has your hand moving a good 10-12 inches and similar for pitch.
Translate that into that full movement of that little stick on an Xbox controller and expect the sensitivity to be a bit of a problem 
2 Likes
oh cool… yes I actually have the turtle beach flight stick… yeah, the cord is a little unsightly, but i just unplug it when not in use… So far ive enjoyed it, the only thing complaint i have is that the base could be heavier… its not able to just sit on a table top.
2 Likes
So I’ll be sitting on the couch with the flight stick on my lap - do you think that’s doable ? Also do you get a smooth look around with the hat switch ? That’s one thing I like about the controller is getting a nice smooth look around with the RH joystick whereas the hat switch on my Hotas gives a pretty janky four point look around.
1 Like
I play with it in my lap as well… as long as you hold it just a bit on the base with your non dominant hand it works well. and yes, you do get a smooth look around with right stick… which is a pleasant feature.
2 Likes
The most precision will always come from a stick and throttle, and there are HOTAS (Hands On Throttle And Stick) sets out there that are compatible with the console. They’re not exactly cheap, but worth the investment.
If you don’t have a desk, get a folding dinner tray to set in front of your couch/chair and put the set on that for stability. I believe all of the console rated HOTAS sets have a twist stick for rudder/tiller input, so you won’t need pedals.
2 Likes
A joystick (HOTAS) is best.
Rudders not required if you have a joystick with a twist rudder.
And a joystick with throttle.
Thrustmaster T.16000M is a good stick at a good price.
2 Likes
I, very early on, got the Thrustmaster Boeing TCA yoke pack and an additional throttle quadrant plus the Thrustmaster TPR pedals. Having the second quadrant is great for 4 throttles for the 747 and DC-6, plus one for spoilers and one for flaps. I used the two slider axis on the yoke’s base for propeller pitch and mixture. The whole setup works so incredibly well with Xbox.
I also added a Razer Turret keyboard/mouse.
2 Likes
Joystick is a must - and bare minimum, the recommended starting point. Make sure if this is going to be your only controller, it should feature: throttle slider, twist function (for rudder / yaw control), and a hat switch (if you play combat sim)
Some people would go for yoke, but only do that if you are full committed to civilian / non-combat flight sim. But, mind you - yoke is going to give you immensely different experience. Without rudder, a yoke usually will feature a rocker switch to control the rudder in analog manner.
Next is throttle, it will help you do split throttling if it is multi-engine aircraft. It is best if it has other levers and switches as bonus - make it far easier to control critical functions and control surfaces like flaps and speed brakes during times where you cannot use mouse to move views and reach that button in the cockpit.
Finally the least necessary is probably the rudder - and again will totally alter your experience for the better. But it might be the bulkiest device that is going to eat the most space out of all other devices, which is the reason why many beginners skip them.
2 Likes
In terms of sim flying there’s no substitude for a HOTAS + rudders ( stick twist rudders disabled/locked)
2 Likes
A single joystick with throttle slider and twist axis is the very bare minimum.
Then the next is a split joystick and throttle control.
Then if you budget and space allows, put a rudder pedal as well.
If you’re a billionaire with unlimited budget, get yourself one of these like this guy.
2 Likes
Awesome, thanks for confirming that. My next purchase, lol
2 Likes
My two centavos:
IMHO, trying to fly with a game controller is like trying to play football/soccer at the top of ten-foot-tall stilts. 
(i.e. Precision control is wishful thinking with a game controller.)
I did a “FPV robot” project using a joystick controller and then adapted it to use a “standard” gamepad. Controlling the robot isn’t easy with the joystick, but it is much more difficult with the tiny finger-sticks on the gamepad.
I expect that this would be virtually identical when trying to fly in MSFS.
Pro tip:
Get a good stick.
Crummy and cheap sticks are purgatory at best, and are more like trying to fly using rubber bands and sticky-tape than real flying.
(Ask me how I know. . . . .)
P.S.
If you’re going to use a twist stick for rudder control, do yourself a favor and turn on auto-coordination. I’ve never been able to properly coordinate a turn with the twist rudder axis.
Trying to coordinate a turn with a twist rudder will be more like a beginner on ice skates - you’ll be slewing all over the sky like crazy!
2 Likes
I flied FSX a long period with keyboard. I used a laptop, because I wasn’t at home all the time. Latter I used analog controls on controler similar like Play Station’s. I could take it with me, because I could pack it in bag with me. It was better than keyboard, but best experience is when I bought PC and HOTAS.
Now, no way that I could use anything else.
So keyboard, definitely nope!
2 Likes
No it isn’t, I use a controller all the time and have no problem flying, landing, taking off. I use a mouse and keyboard too. I don’t see a problem, its working for me. Because of the problems and issues with MSFS I don’t feel its worthy of using proper flight controls. Why spend $$ on flight controls only to have the immersion broken when something goes wrong. A game controller suffices enough.
2 Likes
So your saying there is no benefit in a stick or yoke that has better sensors and a bigger range of travel. Really,?
1 Like
No. What he’s saying is that he’s been using a game controller for so long he has carefully calibrated fingers and better manual dexterity than the rest of us. 
As for me, a game controller is a disaster waiting to happen. I only use mine for the drone views. (And the Astro-One which requires it.)