What is a HOTAS? Flight sim HOTAS explained
HOTAS stands for "hands on throttle and stick". In a real fighter, it means the pilot can fly and operate weapons, radar and radios without letting go of either control. In flight sims, a HOTAS is a flight stick and a throttle sold together, usually covered with buttons and hats. Here is what that changes compared with a single joystick, and what to look at in the specs, with US prices checked on October 29, 2026.
Photo: Laurent Perren / Unsplash
What HOTAS means
The idea comes from military aviation: put every important switch on the stick and the throttle so the pilot never has to look down or reach for a panel during a busy moment. Flight sim manufacturers copied the layout, and today "HOTAS" is the usual name for any stick-and-throttle set.
Some sets are close replicas of real aircraft controls. Thrustmaster describes the HOTAS Warthog MKII as 1:1 replicas of the F-16 Viper stick grip and the A-10C dual throttle, licensed by the U.S. Air Force. Others are generic designs built for comfort and price, such as the Thrustmaster T.16000M FCS HOTAS.
HOTAS vs a single flight stick
A stick on its own controls pitch, roll and often yaw through a twist axis. Engine power is usually a small slider or wheel on the base, which works but is hard to set precisely. A HOTAS adds a separate throttle with a long lever travel, more buttons and often extra axes.
| Product | Type | Buttons stated | Checked price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thrustmaster T.16000M FCS | Stick only | 16 | $79.99 |
| Thrustmaster T.16000M FCS HOTAS | Stick + TWCS throttle | 30 in total | $169.99 |
| Thrustmaster TCA Officer Pack Airbus Edition | Sidestick + quadrant | 33 | $199.99 |
| Thrustmaster HOTAS Warthog MKII | Stick + dual throttle | 36 | $599.99 |
The step from the T.16000M FCS stick to the full T.16000M FCS HOTAS shows the logic: the same stick, plus a throttle that Thrustmaster says slides on rails over 3.2 in (80 mm) with adjustable friction. Compare the two families in our head-to-head of the X56 and the T.16000M FCS HOTAS.
The specs that matter on a HOTAS
- Sensor type: Hall effect and magnetic sensors measure the stick position without contact, so they do not wear like potentiometers. See our Hall effect sensors guide.
- Resolution: stated in bits. Several sets in our data state 16-bit resolution on the main stick axes.
- Axes: pitch, roll, twist, throttle, plus rotaries and mini sticks. Logitech counts 13 axes on the X56 H.O.T.A.S., including four on its two mini analog thumb sticks.
- Buttons and hats: more bindings means fewer trips to the keyboard. Turtle Beach states 139 programmable functions for the VelocityOne Flightdeck, including virtual ones on its touch display.
- One lever or two: a split throttle runs two engines independently; most twin-lever sets can lock the levers together.
HOTASTurtle Beach VelocityOne FlightdeckWhich HOTAS for which sim
Combat sims such as DCS World are where HOTAS sets shine, because every switch on a real fighter grip maps to a function in the sim. Space sims such as Star Citizen and Elite Dangerous use many axes for yaw and strafing, which is why sets with mini sticks, twist axes or modular grips are popular there. Our HOTAS and stick ranking for Star Citizen only keeps PC products with a stated twist axis.
For airliners, a HOTAS works but a dedicated quadrant feels more natural. The TCA Officer Pack Airbus Edition is a special case: an Airbus-style sidestick plus a two-lever quadrant with detents and thrust reversers. For console players, the T.Flight Hotas One is officially licensed for Xbox, and the T.Flight Hotas 5 Microsoft Flight Simulator Edition works on PS5, PS4 and Windows PCs according to Thrustmaster.
Thrustmaster HOTAS Warthog MKII9.1/10See the review
Modular and high-end HOTAS
Above a few hundred dollars, HOTAS sets become modular: grips and bases are sold separately and can be swapped. The WINCTRL Orion2 HOTAS ViperAce pairs ViperAce throttle and joystick grips with Orion2 bases, and the manufacturer states 16-bit contactless Hall sensors on the joystick base and the throttle main shaft. VIRPIL sells grips, bases and throttles separately, such as the MongoosT-50CM4 throttle.
Modularity costs more up front, but it lets you change a grip without replacing the whole set. Our WINWING vs VIRPIL vs VKB comparison lines up the high-end options.
HOTASWINCTRL Orion2 HOTAS ViperAceSetting up a HOTAS the first time
- Install the manufacturer software if one is offered: it lets you test every axis and button before you open the sim.
- Check that the stick centers cleanly and that the throttle covers its full travel in the calibration screen.
- In the sim, start from the default profile for your device, then rebind only what you use often: trim, view, flaps, gear and brakes.
- Save one profile per aircraft type, so your airliner and fighter bindings do not overwrite each other.
Expect to spend an evening on bindings. It is time well spent: once every common function sits under a finger, you will rarely touch the keyboard during a flight.
Figures from official manufacturer spec sheets and US prices checked on October 29, 2026. Product images: manufacturers. Not a hands-on test: see our methodology.
Our selection
Three rated products mentioned in this guide, at checked prices.
Frequently asked questions
What does HOTAS stand for?
Hands on throttle and stick: a layout where the main switches sit on the stick and the throttle so the pilot keeps both hands on the controls.
What is the best HOTAS in your ranking?
The order changes as prices and data are updated: our best HOTAS ranking shows the current number one, its score and its checked price.
Is a HOTAS good for Microsoft Flight Simulator?
Yes. It flies every aircraft, and the throttle gives you precise power control. For airliners and light aircraft, a yoke or a quadrant can feel more natural.
Do I need rudder pedals with a HOTAS?
Not to start: most sets have a twist axis or a rocker on the throttle for rudder. Pedals are a common upgrade for helicopters and crosswind landings.
