Let's start with something close at hand. What do you grab hold of when you fly your sim? I got started with a pretty basic joystick. It works but isn't the same as a flight yoke. Maybe that's because almost all my real flight time is with a yoke. I have a total of maybe an hour with a stick. Or maybe the real reason is that I have a really cheap joystick and am not particularly coordinated.

A good portion of your interaction with the sim will be through the primary flight controls, a stick or yoke, collective and rudder/tail rotor pedals. If they don't feel real to you, you'll continually be reminded you're working with a balky simulation. It'll be pretty hard getting to that "suspended disbelief" state of mind. Buy a cheap joystick and you'll be writing stuff like me instead of flying your sim.

The bottom line is that it is important to invest sufficient time and/or money for a quality set of flight controls. If you plan on buying, you have a wide range of choices from Microsoft, Saitek, Thrustmaster, Logitech, CH Products and the more expensive, but higher quality, Precision Flight Controls, Inc., just to mention a few. By all means, take the time to read in-print and on-line reviews, and check out comments on the fight sim forums. (For instance, the one on AvSim ). You might also find some reviews at Tom's Hardware and CNET.

It's possible that I'm not as smart as I think I am. (Occasionally, I have moments when I know this to be true. Fortunately the feeling passes quickly.) Although I have tried to make this information as accurate as I can, it is not only possible, but also quite likely, that errors lurk within. I cannot and do not warrant these pages to be error free and correct. Further I accept no liability for the use of this information (or misinformation). If, after reading this, you are still interested, please be aware that the contents of this site are protected by copyright (copyright © 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 by John M. Powell). Nonetheless, you may copy this material subject to these three conditions: (1) the copyright notice is copied and presented along with the material, (2) the copy is used for non-commercial purposes, and (3) the source of the material is properly credited. And of course, you may link to this page.