Years ago, when I first played Microsoft Flight Simulator, the only option to control the aircraft was to use the keyboard. It was great fun, but sometimes it would get a bit tiresome to search the manual for the correct key to press to control a particular function of the plane. The next step was to add a joystick to the controls. I remember pulling back on the joystick every so gently, and the thrill of being able to use a control other than the keyboard that was almost realistic to control the throttle, pitch, elevators and ailerons.

These days, if you are serious about your flight simulator experience, you could add a  high end graphics card, rudder pedals, headsets, joysticks or a yoke to create your own cockpit at home. All of these controls can plug into your favourite flight simulator software to make it a very realistic experience, but if you were to choose just one control to start with, I would say go for a flight simulator yoke.

Firstly, what is a flight simulator yoke? You will probably recognise one if you see it, but may not have known its name. It’s also known as the control wheel or column and it is used as a steering wheel is in a car to control a plane.  You can push it, pull it and turn it to control the plane and it will give you a feeling of what it is really like to pilot a plane.  Turning it will control the ailerons and make the plane roll to one side. Pushing or pulling it will control the elevators and will change the pitch of the aircraft, making the plan pull up or dive down.

Other controls in your aircraft can also be controlled by a flight simulator yoke. Instead of finding the right key on the keyboard to increase power, many flight simulator yokes allow you to also control the throttle, prop and mix. Also, flight simulator yokes come with a number of buttons and switches, that you can decide what they will be controlling.

If you are ready to make your flying experience more realistic and take a step up from using just the keyboard or joystick, a flight simulator yoke is a great option to increase the fun and enjoyment from your flight simulator.