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For a first joystick-and-throttle setup for sightseeing in Microsoft Flight Simulator, the Thrustmaster T.16000M FCS HOTAS is the clearest starting point: Microsoft lists it among recommended peripherals, and the bundle gives you a separate throttle as well as a stick. If you mostly fly airliners or general-aviation aircraft, consider whether a yoke better matches your aircraft choices; for a compact stick-only setup, the VKB Gladiator NXT EVO or Thrustmaster TCA Sidestick Airbus Edition may suit you better.
The models below serve different budgets and control preferences. Prices from Microsoft’s 2025 beginner guide are reference figures, not current checkout prices. Check the exact model’s compatibility and current availability before buying.
At a glance
| Name | Best for | Key spec | Microsoft 2025 reference price | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thrustmaster T.16000M FCS HOTAS | A first stick-and-throttle bundle | Joystick and separate throttle | $79.99 for the T.16000M FCS; the guide does not clarify whether this price is for the HOTAS bundle | Oct 2026 |
| VKB Gladiator NXT EVO | PC users prioritizing a standalone stick | Joystick; throttle purchased separately | $120 | Oct 2026 |
| Logitech G X56 HOTAS | Many programmable controls | Joystick and separate throttle | $249.99 | Oct 2026 |
| Turtle Beach VelocityOne HOTAS | A complete flight-simulation system | Complete PC flight-simulation system; listed for MSFS 2024 and 2020 | Not stated for the exact HOTAS model; Microsoft lists $379.99 for the VelocityOne Flight Universal Control System | Oct 2026 |
| Thrustmaster TCA Sidestick Airbus Edition | A compact, Airbus-inspired stick | Stick-first; matching throttle peripherals offer an upgrade path | Not stated | Oct 2026 |
The price figures are Microsoft Flight Simulator Team reference prices published in 2025, not live offers. In particular, the $379.99 figure is for the VelocityOne Flight Universal Control System, not a confirmed price for the VelocityOne HOTAS. Microsoft’s guide names the T.16000M FCS at $79.99 but does not establish that this is the price of the HOTAS bundle. Confirm the exact product and current price with the seller.
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Which joystick and throttle should you choose for sightseeing?
For a single purchase that includes both a stick and a separate throttle, start with the T.16000M FCS HOTAS. If you would rather buy a stick now and select a throttle later, look at the VKB Gladiator NXT EVO or TCA Sidestick. If a large number of switches and programmable controls matter more than minimizing cost or desk space, consider the X56.
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Sightseeing can mean flying many kinds of aircraft, not just one cockpit layout. Microsoft’s beginner guide says a joystick offers more flexibility for fighter jets, helicopters, and a variety of other aircraft. A yoke is a more natural fit if your flying is mainly in yoke-controlled airliners or general-aviation aircraft. Choose for the aircraft you expect to fly most, rather than assuming one control style is best for every plane.
What should you compare before buying?
The headline differences are whether a separate throttle is included, which aircraft and control layout you prefer, and whether the exact model supports your platform. Price references help place some options in context, but they are not live prices and do not establish current stock.
- Aircraft mix: A joystick is the flexible choice for varied aircraft and sightseeing. A yoke may feel more appropriate for readers who mainly fly aircraft designed around yoke controls.
- Throttle included: The T.16000M FCS HOTAS and X56 are described as stick-and-throttle sets. The VelocityOne HOTAS is presented as a complete system. The VKB Gladiator NXT EVO and TCA Sidestick are stick-first choices.
- Platform: Do not infer compatibility from a product family name. Check Microsoft’s compatibility information and the manufacturer’s page for the exact model and platform you intend to use.
- Upgrade path: Buying a standalone stick lets you defer the throttle purchase, but it will not provide the dedicated throttle control of a HOTAS bundle in the meantime.
- Desk and control priorities: The X56 is a better fit if extensive programmable controls are a priority. The available information does not establish precise dimensions or desk-space requirements, so check the product’s current specifications before deciding whether it will fit your setup.
- Version support: A listing for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 does not automatically prove support for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024. Look for an explicit version statement, such as Turtle Beach’s listing for both versions.
- What is actually in the box: Similar names can describe a stick alone, a HOTAS bundle, a yoke system, or a separate throttle. Read the component list rather than relying on a product photograph or family branding.
Which models are worth considering?
These five options cover a first HOTAS purchase, stick-first setups, and a control-rich system. The recommendation for each depends on the trade-off you care about most.
Thrustmaster T.16000M FCS HOTAS: best starting point for a bundle
This is the most direct match for someone who wants a joystick and a separate throttle in one purchase. Microsoft’s support list includes the T.16000M FCS HOTAS, identifying it as a stick-plus-throttle setup. That official recommendation makes it a reasonable first option to investigate for a varied sightseeing fleet.
Microsoft Flight Simulator Team’s 2025 beginner guide gives the T.16000M FCS a $79.99 reference price. The guide does not make clear whether that figure refers specifically to the HOTAS bundle, so do not treat it as a confirmed price for the complete set or as a current offer. Check the product listing carefully to confirm which components are included.
Choose it if you want a dedicated throttle immediately and do not need a large array of extra controls. If you are choosing chiefly for a particular console, verify support for the exact model and platform before ordering.
VKB Gladiator NXT EVO: best stick-first option for PC
Microsoft’s beginner guide lists the VKB Gladiator NXT EVO at $120 as a 2025 reference price. The guide’s listing makes it a stick-first option rather than a complete HOTAS purchase: plan on choosing a throttle separately if you want dedicated throttle hardware.
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This route can make sense for a PC user who would rather prioritize the stick and leave the throttle decision for later. It also means two purchasing decisions instead of one: check that any throttle you add is compatible with your game and setup. The price is historical reference information, not a live quote, and the available compatibility information does not establish support for every platform.
Logitech G X56 HOTAS: best when you want many controls
Microsoft lists the X56 among recommended peripherals, and Microsoft’s beginner guide gives the Logitech X56 HOTAS a $249.99 reference price from 2025. Independent comparison coverage describes it as highly customizable, with extensive programmable controls. That combination makes it worth considering if you want many switches and buttons and a separate throttle.
The trade-off is that this is not the low-cost choice among the models with a quoted reference price. A control-rich setup may also be more than a sightseeing-focused beginner needs. Before purchasing, compare the controls you actually want to use with the product’s current specifications, and check the exact platform compatibility rather than assuming that an official recommendation covers every device or setup.
Turtle Beach VelocityOne HOTAS: a complete system with stated MSFS support
Turtle Beach’s official product information describes the VelocityOne HOTAS as a complete PC flight-simulation system and lists compatibility with Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 and 2020. It is a candidate for someone who wants a complete system and values an explicit statement covering both game versions.
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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsBe careful not to conflate different products in the VelocityOne family. Microsoft’s 2025 guide lists the VelocityOne Flight Universal Control System at $379.99, but that is not an established price for the VelocityOne HOTAS. Confirm the exact model, included hardware, platform, and current price on the manufacturer’s page and at checkout.
Thrustmaster TCA Sidestick Airbus Edition: best for a simple Airbus-inspired stick
Microsoft lists the TCA Sidestick Airbus Edition among its recommended peripherals. Current comparison coverage describes it as an affordable, MSFS-oriented stick with an Airbus-inspired layout and an upgrade path through matching throttle peripherals.
It suits a reader who wants a compact stick now and may add matching throttle hardware later. It is not the same kind of one-purchase answer as a HOTAS bundle. If having a separate throttle from the start matters, compare the complete contents of any bundle rather than relying on the sidestick name alone.
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Does a joystick, HOTAS, or yoke make more sense for your aircraft?
A joystick gives you a flexible control choice across a varied aircraft mix; a HOTAS adds a separate throttle, while a yoke is often a better match for flying mainly yoke-controlled aircraft. These are practical distinctions, not a rule that one controller works only with one class of aircraft.
Choose a joystick for variety
Microsoft says a joystick offers more flexibility for fighter jets, helicopters, and varied aircraft. For sightseeing that ranges between different aircraft types, that flexibility can matter more than matching one specific cockpit. A stick-first model keeps the initial setup simpler; a HOTAS adds dedicated throttle hardware at the outset.
Choose a HOTAS when you want a separate throttle
HOTAS means a joystick-and-throttle arrangement. The separate throttle gives you a distinct control for engine power instead of making a stick purchase alone. It is a useful distinction when comparing a bundle with the VKB Gladiator NXT EVO or TCA Sidestick, which are stick-first options in this shortlist.
Consider a yoke for yoke-controlled aircraft
If your sightseeing is mostly in airliners or general-aviation aircraft that use yokes, a yoke-and-throttle setup may better match the control style you want. Microsoft’s guidance does not say a joystick cannot control these aircraft; the decision is about preference and the aircraft mix, not a universal compatibility restriction.
How can you verify compatibility and avoid a wrong-model purchase?
Check support for the exact device, platform, and Microsoft Flight Simulator version before checkout. Microsoft maintains a compatibility table for Logitech, Thrustmaster, and Turtle Beach devices, and its setup guidance covers HOTAS, stick/yoke, throttle quadrant, and rudder-pedal categories for Xbox Series and PC setups.
- Identify the exact product name. Distinguish the T.16000M FCS stick from the T.16000M FCS HOTAS bundle, and distinguish the different products in the VelocityOne family.
- Match the platform. Confirm whether the exact model supports the PC or Xbox Series setup you intend to use. Do not assume support for one platform implies support for another.
- Match the simulator version. Check the manufacturer and Microsoft compatibility information for the version you play. Turtle Beach specifically lists the VelocityOne HOTAS for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 and 2020.
- Confirm what the listing includes. Verify whether the price is for a stick alone, a HOTAS bundle, or another product with a similar family name.
- Check the final seller details. Current prices, stock, seller quality, and what is included can change. Confirm them on the current listing rather than relying on a 2025 reference figure.
- Plan the rest of the controls. Microsoft’s setup categories include throttle quadrants and rudder pedals as well as sticks, yokes, and HOTAS units. Decide whether you are buying only primary aircraft control now or building a larger setup later.
Microsoft says a gamepad or joystick is required for aircraft control and drone mode. Its guidance lists several categories of compatible control hardware, but that category-level information does not confirm support for every individual model or combination; use the model-specific compatibility listing for that.
How to choose between a bundle and a staged purchase
A bundle is the simpler route when you already know you want a stick and throttle. The T.16000M FCS HOTAS, X56, and VelocityOne HOTAS are the shortlist’s complete or paired-control choices. You make one compatibility check, receive both primary controls together, and can start configuring the simulator without waiting for a second purchase.
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A staged purchase can spread the cost and let you learn what you actually use. The VKB Gladiator NXT EVO and TCA Sidestick are explicitly stick-first options. Buy the stick, fly with the simulator’s available throttle control, then choose a separate throttle after deciding whether you want a basic paired unit, a matching ecosystem, or more programmable controls. The downside is that the initial setup is not a dedicated HOTAS and the eventual total cost is not known until the second purchase.
Do not compare a stick-only reference price directly with a bundle price as though they were equivalent. A lower initial figure may simply mean that the throttle is absent. Conversely, a higher bundle price can represent hardware you would otherwise buy separately. Compare the components included, not just the headline number.
Common buying pitfalls
- Using an old reference as a live deal: The $79.99, $120, $249.99, and $379.99 figures come from Microsoft’s 2025 guide. They establish relative reference tiers, not today’s price, stock, shipping, warranty, or seller reputation.
- Confusing a family with a model: “VelocityOne” covers more than one product. The Flight Universal Control System and VelocityOne HOTAS should not be treated as the same item, and the Dual Throttle is a separate product.
- Assuming every recommended device works everywhere: Microsoft’s list includes devices, while platform support remains model-specific. Verify PC versus Xbox Series support for the exact SKU.
- Overbuying controls: The X56’s extensive programmable controls are useful when you want them, but they can be unnecessary for a reader who mainly wants relaxed sightseeing and basic aircraft control.
- Ignoring the throttle question: A sidestick or standalone joystick may look inexpensive until you add the throttle you expected to be included. Read the contents list and identify whether you are buying one device or two.
- Relying on a photograph: Retail images can show a complete desk setup even when the listing is for one component. Use the written model name and included-hardware details.
How were these options selected?
The shortlist follows the distinctions relevant to a sightseeing-focused buyer: whether Microsoft recommends the device, whether it includes a separate throttle or is stick-first, what aircraft or control preference it suits, and which reference prices and compatibility claims are available. The models are not ranked by measured performance. The price figures are Microsoft’s 2025 references where given, and current prices and availability are not established by those figures.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Practical decision guide
- Want one straightforward purchase? Start by checking the T.16000M FCS HOTAS listing and confirming that both stick and throttle are included.
- Want the stick first? Consider the VKB Gladiator NXT EVO for PC, or the TCA Sidestick if its Airbus-inspired layout and later matching-throttle path appeal to you.
- Want lots of assignments? Examine the Logitech G X56 HOTAS and decide whether its extensive programmable controls justify its higher reference tier and likely desk-space demands.
- Want explicit 2020 and 2024 support? Put the VelocityOne HOTAS on the comparison list, then verify the exact product and current price because the $379.99 figure refers to another VelocityOne system.
- Mostly fly yoke aircraft? Compare a yoke-and-throttle setup instead of assuming a joystick is automatically the best sightseeing controller.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the Turtle Beach VelocityOne Dual Throttle connect to a Flightstick II?
Turtle Beach says the VelocityOne Dual Throttle supports Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 and 2020 and connects to the Xbox-compatible VelocityOne Flightstick II. Check the manufacturer’s current compatibility details for your exact hardware and platform.
Does Microsoft Flight Simulator require a HOTAS?
No. Microsoft says a gamepad or joystick is required for aircraft control and drone mode; its setup guidance also lists several hardware categories, including stick/yoke and throttle quadrant. A separate throttle is a purchase choice, not a stated requirement.
Can I use a joystick for airliners and general-aviation aircraft?
Microsoft’s guidance presents joysticks as flexible across varied aircraft, while a yoke may better match readers who mainly fly airliners or general-aviation aircraft. That is a control-style preference, not a claim that a joystick cannot be used for those aircraft.
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No. Microsoft’s 2025 beginner guide lists the T.16000M FCS at $79.99 but does not clarify whether that figure is for the complete HOTAS bundle. Check the current listing to confirm whether both the stick and throttle are included.
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Is $379.99 the price of the VelocityOne HOTAS?
It is not confirmed as the HOTAS price. Microsoft lists $379.99 for the VelocityOne Flight Universal Control System. Because the VelocityOne family contains different products, verify the exact model and current checkout price.
Which shortlist models include a separate throttle?
The T.16000M FCS HOTAS and Logitech G X56 are stick-and-throttle sets, and Turtle Beach presents the VelocityOne HOTAS as a complete system. The VKB Gladiator NXT EVO and TCA Sidestick are stick-first purchases that require a separate throttle if you want one.
Is the VKB Gladiator NXT EVO a complete HOTAS?
No. In this comparison it is the stick-first option, listed by Microsoft at a $120 2025 reference price. Plan a separate throttle purchase if dedicated throttle hardware is important to you.
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Choose it when many switches, buttons, and programmable controls matter more than the lowest cost or smallest setup. Independent comparison coverage describes it as highly customizable, while Microsoft lists a $249.99 2025 reference price.
Can I add a throttle to the TCA Sidestick later?
Yes, the model is described as having an upgrade path through matching throttle peripherals. Confirm the exact accessory, platform support, and current contents before ordering.
Should I buy a yoke instead of a joystick?
If you mainly fly yoke-controlled airliners or general-aviation aircraft, a yoke-and-throttle setup may feel more natural. If you regularly switch among helicopters, fighter jets, and other aircraft, Microsoft describes a joystick as the more flexible choice.
The Bottom Line
For most sightseeing beginners who want stick and throttle together, start with the Thrustmaster T.16000M FCS HOTAS and verify the bundle contents. Choose the VKB Gladiator NXT EVO or TCA Sidestick for a staged, stick-first setup; choose the X56 for extensive controls; and consider the VelocityOne HOTAS when its stated MSFS 2024/2020 support and complete-system format fit your platform. Treat all 2025 prices as references and confirm the exact model before checkout.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
