HOTAS (Hands on Throttle and Stick)

The real F/A-18E Super Hornet HOTAS switch assignments.

One year on and a look at the MiGPit Mk.VII, happily esconced in a TrakRacer TR160 chassis and re-engined with a HP OMEN 45L beast driving the sim.

Specs for the sixth version of the MiGPit. a project that has been running since 1992.

Specs for the sixth version of the MiGPit. a project that has been running since 1992.

Added to the MiGPit in 2020. By late 2023 the Warthog stick developed a loose wire / contact somewhere in the stick, resulting in random control inputs and view changes. A little bit annoying, especially on finals. I repurposed the Warthog throttle as a lighting (and other) control panel on the right side of my 'pit, so it lives on for a few years more.

Which.. I found rather confusing, so I made my own.

Some people have talked about the 1mm play in the joystick centre position as being a flaw. To my style of flying it's a bonus feature!

A great overview of the first 20 years in home computer flight sims, by one of the best writers in the genre.

A great overview of the first 20 years in home computer flight sims, by one of the best writers in the genre.

A great overview of the first 20 years in home computer flight sims, by one of the best writers in the genre.

A great overview of the first 20 years in home computer flight sims, by one of the best writers in the genre.

Mark Schimmer is building his own cockpit and got hold of a genuine helicopter control stick.

A list of the most desirable SimVars to display and control from your simpit, IMNSHO of course. The list arose out of a discussion I had with the programmer of that incredible app, Sim-Dashboard.

Advice about the paint on HOTAS and metal controllers in general.

From the Thrustmaster® Flight Control System Mark II owner's manual.

The Mark II model had coloured LED's on the left which indicated status of rocker switches - very neat!

In 2024 this popular manufacturer of Car sim racing accessories made a move into the Flight Sim space with a sturdy looking Force Feedback joystick along with a split throttle and rudder pedals. It’s been my observation that car sim race racers are MUCH harder on their gear than flight fans, so it be interesting to see how and if the MOZA injection influences that aspect of build quality in our beloved HOTAS space.

With the AVA line Thrustmaster have re-established themselves as top tier HOTAS manufacturers. The removal of the 'stiction' prone plasric gimbal which has been the bane of the Warthog since 2010, and the adoption of variable cams and springs on an all metal mechanism puts them squarely back in the game for hard core sim fans.