Hello, I’m preparing to become a B737 pilot.
I wanna get some recommendations for my training.
I’m trying to practice basic flight maneuvers by Desktop Simulator.
The type of the airplane is B737.
I’ve searched for several yokes, like Thrustmaster’s B787 Replica, SiMiONIC’s FFB yoke, and Honeycomb’s.
I’ve tried Honeycomb’s yoke, but no experience with Thrustmaster B787 and SiMiONIC FFB.
Pitching Moment of Honeycomb was good, however, rolling moment is too light.
What do you think the best desktop yoke for training B737?
I can afford up to 2,000 USD for it
What‘s you current state, do you already have any pilot license, did you have any flight training in the past, what planes did you fly in the past (in real life).
If you already have a PPL and want to transition to the professional career I would say the yoke doesn‘t matter at all as your focus should be training instrument procedures to move towards the IR direction and multi engine rating.
For me as a RL PPL student I would even say that in that state the yoke doesn‘t matter too much. Sure, a Brunner Force Feedback yoke would be best because of realistic trim behavior but I‘m fine with the Honeycomb Alpha to repeat in the Sim what I learned in the RL lessons.
The money is invested better in RL flight lessons than in an expensive yoke 
I’m CPL and CFI Holder and preparing for airline pilot.
The company that I wanna go has a B737 Simulator evaluation.
They wanna see my basic flight skills in 737 simulator (like steep turns, approaches, climbs, and so on…) Thus… I wanna buy a best-fit desktop yoke for 737 specifically in part of grip and control strength (usually 737 yoke is much heavier than G/A airplanes or common sim yokes)
I’m considering to buy one that you’ve mentioned, which has FFB.
However, I have no chance to try it.
1 Like
Ok, a realistic 737 control column is definitely out of budget 
But really, do you think that a yoke will make a difference for that purpose? My feeling tells me that focussing on pitch/power settings and understanding the aircraft and procedures will be enough to train in your home sim. To feel more confident with the actual feeling of the control maybe you find a 737 sim (I mean sth like This) nearby.
Spend part of the difference between your budget and a 200€ yoke on 2-3 h in a real sim with an accurate control column. You know how to fly planes with your experience so the simple „steering“ of the aircraft will be the minor issue for you, right? You will get used to that quickly. The more important thing is sth like how much do you need to increase thrust to keep level and constant speed in a steep turn.
Just my feeling, but the long lever of the original control column will be so different to any PC yoke that it doesn‘t make a difference if you have a 200€ or a 2000€ yoke.
understand that even with the fanciest of simpits with 6DOF motion, buttkickers and even your mom/SO coming through to serve you snacks as some sort of flight attendant, flight simulators are best for familiarization regardless of what you are flying. There are a gobsmack amount of variables that flight sims can’t replicate.
Plus during your training i’m sure you have plenty of time on the Level D simulator so you can get familiar with the physical feel of a 737, more than a $15,000 fully kitted out simpit would fetch you
1 Like
What about B737 by PMDG or 737 by #$%&## bredok3d?
Thanks, I know all the things that you’ve mentioned.
I know, minor control issues from controlling the airplane that I’ve never flown.
However, only limited number of examinees can be a pilot.
Thus, I should outperform in the Simualtor Evaluation,
I just wanna find a yoke that has “strong” control feelings. Usually Honeycomb’s and Saitek’s (common yokes) are too weak. They even sometimes destroy the control skills. (Few trainees experience this in GA trainings)
The amount of time and money you’re thinking about putting into this very narrow part of an evaluation probably isn’t worth the benefit you’ll get out of it. You’re not going to find something in your budget that’s going to exactly match a 737 yoke and control feel. Heck, the real 737s and the full motion sims aren’t even exactly, 100%, the same.
They know you and everyone else haven’t flown a 737 before. They just want to see you have some passable stick and rudder skills. Replicating the real thing 100% isn’t as important here as having some flexible hand/eye coordination skills.
My recommendation having flown a wide variety of aircraft from stick controlled supersonic trainers, gliders, small GA, to 737s and larger: yes, spend some time with the PMDG 737 and just get comfortable with the panel. But also get comfortable simming around in things that have completely different control feels than an airliner. Do maneuver work with very sensitive control aircraftin the sim like the Extra 300 or F/A-18. Do similar things in extremely heavy control feel aircraft (even throw the Spruce Goose in there). Get comfortable simming in lots of different things and you’re probably going to perform better when you’re thrown into an unusual environment… like a 737 sim for the first time. If you’re comfortable switching between completely different aircraft types, it’s probably going to take you a couple seconds when you get thrown in a new situation to figure out the new hand/eye stuff, but then you’ll quickly pick up that new thing.
Besides, a “Johnny Goldenhands” doesn’t always make the best pilot and doesn’t always make an effective crew member. Good hands are but one component of many traits that set someone apart.
P.S. I’ve used the same Microsoft Sidewinder joystick since 1998. It’s helped me out well enough for real world practice for everything from glider flying to 757 type ratings. It just broke. I’m replacing it with another fairly cheap stick. I’m never going to be able to get something that remotely feels like the real thing, so I’ll just get something functional instead.
3 Likes
Chasing a bad idea in my opinion. While not B737 type rated, I have over 40 years of flight experience and consider myself and pretty good stick and rudder pilot. You cannot translate flying a PC based simulator to flying a real airplane. Flight experience only comes with time spent in a cockpit learning from your mistakes. The PC simulator is a nifty tool for basics like B737 cockpit familiarization (ie buttonology), and it’s good for airspace familiarization. But you cannot translate maneuvering from PC to an airplane. You first have to learn to trust your butt (aka seat of the pants) and learn the basics the way that company wants you to learn them.
An angel just got it’s wings 
1 Like
Hey, guys, I hope this is a timely response, but if not, then I hope the OP got the job.
I’m currently a 787 FO for United out of Dulles (KIAD). I’m typed in the CRJ series, A320 series, 737, 757, 767, and 787. I found this thread because I, too, am looking for a sim to practice on; I’m moving to the left seat on the 737, and I want to tighten up my skills on the bird because it’s been a while since I flew it.
It makes absolutely no difference about graphics, feel, joystick, etc…these sims are good only for learning flows, SOPs, that sort of thing. I wouldn’t sweat the job interview sim. You’re going to (or perhaps already did) do fine, a plane’s a plane.
Happy New Year!
2 Likes
Thx for replying 
I haven’t took sim test yet, but it is supposed to be in a month!