JustBeginning
Beginner's guide

So you're getting into flight simulation

A home flight simulator can start as simply as a $60 joystick and an MSFS 2024 subscription, or scale into a room-filling cockpit replica. The hardware decisions — joystick or yoke? HOTAS or stick-only? rudder pedals now or later? — trip up nearly every new arrival. This guide makes the call for you.

By Colin B. · Published May 30, 2026 · Last reviewed May 30, 2026
Cockpit yoke and dashboard of an aircraft.

Photo by Horizon flights on Unsplash

The 60-second version

If you only buy 3 things to start:

  1. Thrustmaster T16000M FCS Joystick — The T16000M is the community's consensus starter joystick — precise, ambidextrous, and grows with you.
  2. Thrustmaster TFRP T-Flight Rudder Pedals — Rudder pedals transform realism in a way a twist-stick never can. Buy them within your first month.
  3. Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 — MSFS 2024 is the most accessible flight sim ever made. Start here and branch out later.
Budget total
$130
Typical total
$350
A basic joystick and MSFS 2024 gets you airborne for $130. Add rudder pedals and you're at ~$220. A full HOTAS + pedals + software setup runs $300–400 before upgrades like head tracking or VR.
At a glance

Our top pick in each category

The fastest path through this guide — each best-starter pick by category. Scroll for the budget and upgrade alternatives.

CategoryTop pickPriceWhere to buy
Flight ControlsThrustmasterThrustmaster T16000M FCS Joystick$$ See on Amazon →
Rudder PedalsThrustmasterThrustmaster TFRP T-Flight Rudder Pedals$$ See on Amazon →
Throttle QuadrantLogitechLogitech G Saitek Pro Flight Throttle Quadrant$$ See on Amazon →
Simulator SoftwareMicrosoftMicrosoft Flight Simulator 2024$$ See on Amazon →
Head TrackingNaturalPointNaturalPoint TrackIR 5$$$ See on Amazon →
Before you buy anything

A few things worth knowing first

Don't buy hardware and software simultaneously if you're not sure this will stick. MSFS 2024 is available on Xbox Game Pass for $15/month — try it for a week before spending $400 on a HOTAS setup. Most people who quit do so in the first two sessions.

The HOTAS vs. yoke question doesn't need to be settled on day one. A joystick works for every genre. Start there, put in 15-20 hours, and you'll know from the flying you're actually doing whether you want fighter-style HOTAS or a civil aviation yoke.

Your PC matters as much as your peripherals. MSFS 2024 is one of the most demanding games ever made. If your GPU is more than five years old, check the system requirements before buying anything. A mid-range GPU (RTX 3060 or equivalent) runs it well at 1080p.

The gear

What you actually need

a close up of a steering wheel on a plane

Photo by Kevin Leliard on Unsplash

Flight Controls

Your flight controller is the single most important hardware decision in sim. The three types serve different flying styles: a basic joystick handles everything from MSFS touring to beginner combat; a HOTAS (Hands On Throttle And Stick) gives you dedicated stick and throttle, ideal for jets and military aircraft; and a yoke looks and feels like real-world GA and airliner controls. If you're not sure what you want to fly, start with a joystick — you can upgrade or add a yoke later without losing your investment. All picks here are plug-and-play with MSFS 2024.

Flight Controls — what's the difference?

A few common shapes, each making a different trade.

Basic Joystick

One hand, one device. Best first buy for any genre.

Axes
3 (X/Y + twist)
Throttle
Slider on base
Best for
General aviation, touring

Best for Beginners unsure of genre, general MSFS flying

Tradeoff Twist axis for rudder is imprecise vs. real pedals

↓ See our pick
HOTAS

Separate stick and throttle. Best for jets and combat sims.

Axes
6+ (stick + throttle)
Throttle
Dedicated unit
Best for
Combat, military jets

Best for DCS World, jet aircraft, space sims

Tradeoff Fighter-style layout feels unnatural for airliner flying

↓ See our pick
Yoke

Wheel-style column. Authentic for airliners and GA aircraft.

Travel
180° rotation
Throttle
Separate quadrant needed
Best for
GA, airliners, MSFS civil

Best for Civil aviation, Cessnas, Airbus and Boeing flying

Tradeoff Requires separate throttle quadrant and more desk space

↓ See our pick
Best starter
Thrustmaster

Thrustmaster T16000M FCS Joystick

$$

The T16000M is the community's consensus starter joystick for a reason. Its 16,000-point magnetic sensor is noticeably more precise than the potentiometers in budget sticks, it's ambidextrous (left or right hand), and it maps cleanly to every major simulator. The value-to-quality ratio here is genuinely unusual — this stick outperforms competitors at twice the price.

What we like

  • Ambidextrous — works left or right hand, unlike most joysticks
  • 16,000-point resolution feels precise far above this price point
  • Plug-and-play with MSFS, X-Plane, and DCS out of the box

What to know

  • Joystick only — throttle is a separate purchase
  • Twist axis for rudder works but isn't a substitute for real pedals
See on Amazon →
Budget pick
Logitech

Logitech Extreme 3D Pro Joystick

$

The Extreme 3D Pro has been the go-to entry joystick for two decades and is still the right answer if you want to spend as little as possible to test whether flight sim holds your attention. Twist-grip rudder, 12 programmable buttons, USB plug-and-play, under $40. Not sophisticated, but it works.

What we like

  • Under $40 — lowest-risk way to try flight sim for the first time
  • Twist grip handles rudder input without needing separate pedals

What to know

  • Outdated design — hat switch and buttons feel cheap vs. newer sticks
  • Twist rudder is imprecise; crosswind landings will frustrate you
See on Amazon →
Upgrade pick
Thrustmaster

Thrustmaster T16000M FCS HOTAS

$$

The HOTAS bundle pairs the excellent T16000M stick with the TWCS throttle — a dedicated throttle unit with 5 axes, a mini-stick, and programmable buttons. This is the setup most sim pilots end up on within three months of starting. If you already know jets and combat sims are your thing, buy this bundle once instead of upgrading piecemeal.

What we like

  • Stick plus throttle together — saves money vs buying parts separately
  • TWCS throttle has 5 axes, hat switch, and mappable buttons
  • Same T16000M stick — muscle memory transfers if you upgrade from solo stick

What to know

  • Throttle rubber coating can degrade to sticky after 2-3 years
  • Fighter-style throttle — less intuitive for airliner or GA flying
See on Amazon →
Specialty pick
Honeycomb

Honeycomb Alpha Flight Controls Yoke

$$$

If your interest is civil aviation — Cessna 172s, Airbus A320s, Boeing 737s — the yoke is the authentic control. The Alpha is the benchmark at this price: metal construction, 180 degrees of travel, realistic resistance. It transforms MSFS into something that genuinely feels like training. Pair it with the Honeycomb Bravo throttle for a complete civil cockpit.

What we like

  • Metal chassis — feels like real GA hardware, not a toy
  • 180° of travel matches real-world yoke feel better than plastic options
  • Pairs perfectly with the Honeycomb Bravo throttle for a full civil setup

What to know

  • Civil aviation only — wrong tool for jets or military aircraft
  • Requires separate throttle quadrant and takes up significant desk space
See on Amazon →

Rudder Pedals

Rudder pedals are the second most important upgrade after your main controller. In real aircraft, your feet control the rudder — keeping the plane coordinated in turns, correcting drift in crosswind landings, and steering on the ground. You can fake this with a joystick twist axis, but it's imprecise and builds bad habits. Real pedals cost $80–300 and meaningfully improve your landing accuracy within the first session you use them. Buy them within your first month if you're serious.

Best starter
Thrustmaster

Thrustmaster TFRP T-Flight Rudder Pedals

$$

The TFRP is the most recommended entry-level rudder pedal in the sim community. Three axes (left/right rudder + toe brakes), smooth slide action, and it works plug-and-play with MSFS and DCS. At ~$80 it's the right first step — you won't outgrow it until you're flying seriously for a year or more.

What we like

  • Three axes including independent toe brakes — full rudder control
  • Plug-and-play with Thrustmaster, Logitech, and Honeycomb controllers
  • Smooth slide action that improves noticeably after a few hours of use

What to know

  • No heel rest — add a book or DIY platform for long sessions
  • Toe brakes are stiff at first; takes a few hours to loosen up
See on Amazon →
Upgrade pick
Logitech

Logitech G Saitek Pro Flight Rudder Pedals

$$

A step up in build quality with adjustable tension and a heel rest. The Saitek design has been in production for over a decade because it works — smoother toe brakes, better floor grip, and a more comfortable seating position for long sessions. Worth the price difference if you're flying more than once a week.

What we like

  • Adjustable tension lets you dial in the resistance you want
  • Heel rest included — much more comfortable for sessions over an hour

What to know

  • Batch QC inconsistency — read recent reviews before buying
  • More expensive than TFRP with modest real-world improvement
See on Amazon →
Specialty pick
Honeycomb

Honeycomb Aeronautical Charlie Rudder Pedals

$$$

The Charlie is Honeycomb's premium rudder pedal and the natural upgrade path for yoke users who already own the Alpha and Bravo. Hall Effect magnetic sensors eliminate drift, the aluminum construction feels genuinely substantial, and adjustable tension lets you dial in the exact resistance you want. It pairs perfectly with the Honeycomb ecosystem for a complete civil aviation cockpit.

What we like

  • Hall Effect sensors — no center drift or wear over time
  • Aluminum construction matches the Alpha yoke's premium feel
  • Adjustable tension knob lets you fine-tune resistance

What to know

  • Civil aviation oriented — designed to pair with the Honeycomb ecosystem
  • Higher price than comparable Logitech or Thrustmaster options
See on Amazon →
the cockpit of an airplane with two seats

Photo by Joao on Unsplash

Throttle Quadrant

If you fly civil aircraft — GA singles, twins, airliners — a throttle quadrant gives you dedicated throttle, prop pitch, and mixture levers. HOTAS users already have a throttle built in; this category is for yoke users and joystick pilots who want physical lever control. Two clear tiers: a basic 3-lever quadrant for ~$70 (right for Cessnas and light aircraft) or the Honeycomb Bravo with full airliner switch panels for ~$250. Skip this category entirely on day one if you're buying a HOTAS.

Best starter
Logitech

Logitech G Saitek Pro Flight Throttle Quadrant

$$

Three assignable levers you can configure as throttle, prop pitch, mixture — or flaps, gear, carb heat for something different. Clamps to your desk, mounts alongside most yokes, and at ~$70 it's the right first throttle before you know whether you'll stay in civil aviation. Expandable — you can daisy-chain two units for a twin-engine layout.

What we like

  • Three fully assignable levers — configures for any GA or airliner setup
  • Daisy-chaiable — add a second unit for twin-engine aircraft
  • Desk clamp included; works with any desk or sim table

What to know

  • Levers loosen over time; a dot of silicone grease fixes this
  • Plastic build quality shows the $70 price point clearly
See on Amazon →
Upgrade pick
Honeycomb

Honeycomb Bravo Throttle Quadrant

$$$

The Bravo is the throttle for serious civil aviation sim pilots. Six detachable lever handles (GA to airliner), backlit annunciator panel with landing gear, flaps, autopilot, and engine switches — all functional. Pairs perfectly with the Honeycomb Alpha yoke for a complete civil cockpit that looks and operates like real hardware.

What we like

  • Six detachable handles cover GA, twin, and airliner layouts
  • Backlit annunciator with working gear, flaps, and autopilot switches

What to know

  • LED binding in MSFS takes patience to configure correctly
  • Overkill (and expensive) if you fly joystick or HOTAS
See on Amazon →

Simulator Software

The sim you choose shapes everything. Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is the right starting point for most people: satellite-derived world scenery, a built-in Flight Academy, and the most beginner-friendly on-ramp in the genre. X-Plane 12 uses a physics model closer to certified flight training software and has a devoted community of real-world pilots. For military jet simulation, DCS World is the gold standard — but it's distributed through Steam and the DCS site rather than Amazon, and is best saved until after 20+ hours in a civil sim.

Best starter
Microsoft

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024

$$

MSFS 2024 is the most accessible flight sim ever made. The world scenery is extraordinary, the Flight Academy teaches real aviation concepts step by step, and the Marketplace has every add-on you'll ever want. Available as a standalone purchase or included with Xbox Game Pass. If you're not sure which sim to start with, this is the one.

What we like

  • Satellite-derived world scenery covering every major airport on earth
  • Built-in Flight Academy teaches real aviation procedures step by step
  • Available on Xbox Game Pass — try before buying the full $70 license

What to know

  • Steep system requirements; an aging GPU will struggle at high settings
  • Marketplace add-ons are expensive and easy to overbuy early
See on Amazon →
Budget pick
Laminar Research

X-Plane 12

$$

X-Plane 12 uses blade-element theory for its flight model — the same physics approach as software used in real aviation training. The world scenery isn't as spectacular as MSFS, but the flight feel is more accurate and the platform has a deep add-on ecosystem. A free demo covers a limited area with no time limit. Good choice if real-world accuracy matters more to you than visuals.

What we like

  • Blade-element flight model — closer to certified flight training accuracy
  • Free demo with no time limit; try before paying full price

What to know

  • World scenery less spectacular than MSFS 2024 out of the box
  • Best features emerge with add-ons, which takes time to discover
See on Amazon →
man in black jacket riding black convertible car

Photo by ThisisEngineering on Unsplash

Head Tracking

Looking around the cockpit naturally — without clicking a hat switch — completely transforms sim immersion. Head tracking translates your real head movements into in-sim camera movement. Solutions range from free (OpenTrack software with a spare webcam) to a dedicated sensor bar (TrackIR 5 at ~$200) to full VR. Most pilots rate head tracking as the single highest-return upgrade after their main controller, because it shifts the experience from 'game with a joystick' to 'cockpit you're sitting inside.'

Best starter
NaturalPoint

NaturalPoint TrackIR 5

$$$

TrackIR 5 is the industry standard for head tracking in flight and racing sims. Clip the reflective hat clip to your headset or cap, plug in the sensor bar, and you're tracking within minutes. Six degrees of freedom, no latency you'll notice, and compatible with hundreds of sim titles. The $200 price is real money, but pilots who buy it say it's the upgrade they wish they'd made first.

What we like

  • Industry standard since 2003 — compatible with nearly every sim title
  • Six degrees of freedom; head tilt and lean translate naturally
  • Setup takes under 10 minutes from unboxing to in-sim tracking

What to know

  • Requires a reflective clip on your head — looks a bit silly in person
  • $200 price stings; OpenTrack + webcam does 80% of the job for free
See on Amazon →
Upgrade pick
Meta

Meta Quest 3 VR Headset

$$$$

Full VR in MSFS 2024 and DCS World is extraordinary — you're physically inside the cockpit, reaching for switches at their actual depth, looking over your shoulder at a wing. The Quest 3 is the best standalone VR headset for the money and runs MSFS via PC Link without a dedicated VR-ready cable. This is the eventual endgame upgrade for pilots who want total immersion.

What we like

  • Full cockpit immersion — physically inside the aircraft, not watching it
  • Standalone headset runs MSFS via PC Link without a dedicated cable

What to know

  • Demands an RTX 4070 or better for smooth MSFS VR performance
  • VR frame-rate drops cause nausea — don't skimp on GPU before buying
See on Amazon →
Going deeper

Your first 20 hours of flight simulation

Most new sim pilots crash the Cessna twice, get intimidated by the cockpit, and wonder what they're missing. Here's what actually happens — hour by hour — from first takeoff to your first real cross-country flight.

Read the guide →
Save your money

What you don't need yet

Beginners get pressured to buy a lot of stuff that doesn't help them play better. Here's what we'd skip on day one.

  • A dedicated VR headset on day one — VR in MSFS is incredible but requires serious GPU horsepower. Get your ground legs first — learn to fly in 2D, then add VR once you're committed.
  • Premium aircraft add-ons — MSFS 2024 includes dozens of aircraft. The $50-100 payware planes are genuinely good, but you won't appreciate the depth until you've logged serious time in the default fleet.
  • A force feedback joystick — Modern FFB sticks cost $200-600 and add haptic realism. Fun when you have the budget, but the flight model feedback is easy to live without for the first year.
  • Triple monitor setup — Wide-field peripheral vision is useful for formation flying and approaches. A single 27-32" monitor is plenty to start — and still a significant desk commitment.
  • VATSIM (online ATC network) on day one — VATSIM pairs you with real human air traffic controllers — thrilling once you know the procedures, overwhelming before you do. Log 20+ hours of solo flying first.
First week

Your first seven days

A short, real plan to get from gear-on-doorstep to actually playing.

  1. Download MSFS 2024 or try it on Xbox Game Pass to test your system before buying hardware. · Action
  2. Complete the MSFS Flight Academy. It's not filler — it teaches real aviation concepts in a structured way and unlocks aircraft you'll want to fly. · Action
  3. Start every flight in the Cessna 172 Skyhawk. It's forgiving, slow, and the most realistic aircraft in the default fleet. Resist the temptation to jump straight to jets. · Action
  4. Order a joystick so it arrives before the weekend. · Buy
  5. Join r/flightsim — it's the most active beginner community and the fastest way to get hardware and settings questions answered. · Action
  6. Learn the six basic flight instruments (the 'six-pack'). Understanding what you're looking at transforms the cockpit from intimidating to readable. · Learn
FAQ

Common questions

Joystick, yoke, or HOTAS — which should I buy first?

A joystick. It works for every genre — civil aviation in MSFS, jets, combat in DCS — and costs $40-60. After 15-20 hours, you'll know whether you're drawn to civil aviation (yoke) or military jets (HOTAS). Don't buy a yoke or HOTAS until you know which style of flying actually holds your attention.

Do I need a powerful gaming PC for MSFS 2024?

More than for most games, yes. An RTX 3060 and modern CPU runs it well at 1080p high settings. An RTX 2060 is playable at medium. Anything older and you'll fight the sim more than you'll fly. Run the MSFS hardware benchmark (free tool from Microsoft) before spending money on peripherals.

What's the difference between MSFS, X-Plane, and DCS?

MSFS 2024 is for general aviation — it's visual, accessible, and covers the whole world. X-Plane 12 uses a more accurate physics model (closer to certified training software) and has a strong professional following. DCS is for military jet simulation — extraordinarily detailed, with aircraft study-level fidelity. Start with MSFS unless you specifically know you want combat jets.

Do I really need rudder pedals, or is the joystick twist axis fine?

The twist axis is a crutch that teaches bad habits and makes crosswind landings much harder than they need to be. Rudder pedals cost $80 and transform your landing accuracy within the first session. Buy them in your first month — they're a more impactful upgrade than almost any controller or software add-on.

Is VATSIM (online ATC) something beginners should do?

Not at first. VATSIM connects you with real human controllers who expect radio-procedure competency. It's thrilling when you're ready — but 'ready' means you know basic radio calls, can navigate to your destination, and have practiced arrivals and departures. Get 20+ hours of solo flying in first.

Going further

Where to next

Related hobbies

Browse by category

Authoritative sources

  • r/flightsim — The most active flight sim community online. Hardware questions, settings help, and route sharing. Start here before buying anything.
  • MSFS Official Forums — Microsoft's official community. Bug reports, community events, and the best source for MSFS-specific troubleshooting.
  • AVSIM — Long-running flight sim community with deep archives. Best for finding specific hardware reviews, add-on recommendations, and technical guides.
  • VATSIM — Online network where real human controllers staff virtual ATC. Remarkable experience once you're ready. Join after 20+ hours of solo flying.
  • Threshold (YouTube/Web) — High-quality editorial site for sim aviation. Add-on reviews, interviews, and flight sim news without the forum noise.
  • DCS World Official — Eagle Dynamics' official site for DCS World. The starting point for combat sim add-ons, free trial aircraft, and documentation.

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