Flight Yokes

Elsewhere on the site we have discussed the use of flying simulator hardware and in this post I’m taking a look at one of the most commonly used bits of kit for any simulator enthusiast, namely the flight yoke.

Whilst a yoke is not a necessity to control your airplane simulator it does undoubtedly make the physical control element of flying easier than use of a keyboard. However if you want to achieve the realism that we talk about throughout this site then a yoke becomes an important acquisition.

Brands like CH Products and Saitek produce yokes which mimic genuine airplane hardware at very reasonable prices around the $100 mark or slightly over if a throttle unit is included.

Materials are generally durable toughened plastics with metal shafts and the external appearance of each is modelled on different aircraft so the actual aesthetics can vary.

Of course there are manufacturers that produce professional grade simulator hardware from metals, but here we are looking at $500 as a minimum price.

What features Do Flight Yokes Offer?

A flight yoke typically gives a complete range of standard functions in addition to controlling the direction of the aircraft over 3 axis. These features include such things as aileron and elevator trim control, brakes, flaps and undercarriage operation.

Buttons are also generally reprogrammable if the standard feature set does not meet with your requirements.

Expansion wise, yokes will frequently incorporate USB ports or a proprietary type of connector, so that other peripherals may be connected and operate in conjunction with the yoke. Units like throttle quadrants and switch controllers are definitely the most popular.

Different yokes may carry additional functionality unique to particular units and selection of these extras is really a personal choice for your flying style.

A consideration when deciding upon your yoke is the type of desk you have, make sure the yokes connector is suitable, i.e. do you need a vertical or horizontal style of clamp for your workstation. Effective positioning is an important factor, especially if you are the type of enthusiast that prefers to fly in real time.

In Use

Any decent quality simulator such as X-plane, Flight Sim X or Pro Flight Simulator will provide support for a yoke system and should provide a decent set of programming options for the device.

Movement with a yoke should feel smooth and allow fine grade control of your aircraft, to this end selecting a yoke with a metal shaft and ball bearing joint is not only going to feel better but also be more durable than a solution that scrimps on this part of the manufacture.

Force feedback effects are a bonus, although they can never fully replicate the forces you would experience in a real cockpit.

A selection of the most popular yokes at Amazon is shown here.