My Current Cockpit Controls
My Cockpit is set up to fly on Microsoft Flight Simulator and Digital Combat Simulator. I have it configured to be able to switch back and forth between general aviation, commercial aviation, and combat aviation.
My recommendations if you are just getting started and want a relatively low budget setup.
1. Ensure you have a computer with a CPU and graphics card that will run the simulator of your choice (see software below).
2. An affordable flight stick or yoke and throttles. An example would be the Logitec Pro flight system or T Flight Kit
Amazon.com: Thrustmaster T-Flight Full Kit (XBOX Serie X/S, One, PC) : Video Games
These will work fine with MSFS or Xplane however you will be limited in DCS as the control setups for combat systems in DCS are more complex. A popular choice for DCS is the Warthog controls as well as VKB, Virpil, and Winwing.
VKB North America (vkbcontrollers.com)
3. Get TrackIR for headmovement tracking.
I have a VR headset but do not use it as often as I do TrackIR head movement. If your new, and just getting into flight simulation I would suggest the Track IR is one of the most important tools you can get first and works great in Microsoft Flight Simulator as well as Digital Combat Simulator World. It is a game changer to be able to look around in the cockpit without using a hat controller or the keyboard. It will make any low budget setup better than a high end setup without it in my opinion. If you are not familiar with TrackIR take a look at this video as a good example of what it does. Tips and Tricks for Using TrackIR in DCS: World 2.5! - Bing video
Here is a link to their site Home | TrackIR
If you are just starting out and have a decent computer and monitor you should be able to get started with the above recommendations for $350 to $700 depending on what you choose. You will find that you can build your simulator over time and upgrade gear to suit your needs. If you search YouTube you will find people using very affordable solutions as well as those that use very customized cockpits with moving platform seats and lots of gear.
Below is my current simulator setup.
Software
I use Microsoft Flightsimulator, latest version, and Xplane12 for almost all of my non-military flying. In my opinion MSFS has better graphics and I enjoy it for VFR flying (especially with VR) and Xplane has better flight models and accurate flight dynamics for commercial aviation but are very good.
Microsoft Flight Simulator - The next generation of one of the most beloved simulation franchises
X-Plane 12 Flight Simulator - X-Plane
Services and Learning
If you are interested in learning air traffic control I would highly recommend Pilot Edge. It is a paid subscription service for online ATC as well as VFR and IFR flight training. Their training program allows you to take it at your own pace and begins with VFR progressively training you understand how to accomplish airport to airport communication with live, very well trained, ATC controllers. Then you can progress to their IFR courses and learn simple and complex SIDS and STARS and IFR approaches. Homepage - PilotEdge.net
Vatsim is another great resource and is free, just know that the controllers are not paid (although they are well trained), so unlike Pilot Edge, you will have to find a controller that is online and fly there and you will not get the training associated with Pilot Edge. VATSIM | The International Online Flying Network | VATSIM
For commercial flight planning SimBrief is an excellent tool. SimBrief – Streamline Your Flight Planning (navigraph.com)
Skyvector is another great sight to find charts and plan flights. SkyVector: Flight Planning / Aeronautical Charts
For combat simulation I use Digital Combat Simulator (DCS) World Open Beta Digital Combat Simulator World
If you want to use voice chat with DCS, it has voice chat integration in the native simulator however I prefer to use Simple Radio Standalone which is a free third party application.
DCS SimpleRadio Standalone (DCS-SRS)
For speaking to AI systems in DCS Voice Attack with the Viacom profile works well but takes some time to set up and get used to the voice commands. Increase Your Immersion In DCS: World with VoiceAttack and VIACOM PRO 2.5! - Bing video
My Cockpit
The CPU is an Alienware Aurora R12 with a 3080 graphics card.
Any decent monitor will work, the larger the better, I use a 39 inch curved monitor.
For VR I use the HP Reverb HP Reverb G2 VR Headset | HP® Official Site
Flight Controls
For general aviation I use the Honeycomb Alpha yoke and push/pull throttle, prop, and mixture controls. ALPHA FLIGHT CONTROLS – Honeycomb Aeronautical (flyhoneycomb.com)
I use push/pull Thottle, Propeller, Mixture controls from FlightSimStuff
TPM Controller for Flight Sims - Throttle, Prop, Mixture – Flight Sim Stuff
For commercial aircraft I use the Honeycomb Alpha yoke and Honeycomb Bravo throttle along with Saitek panels. BRAVO THROTTLE QUADRANT – Honeycomb Aeronautical (flyhoneycomb.com)
For DCS I use a Winwing F18 Throttle and F16 flight stick along with a Virpil controller, home made button box, along with two MFD controllers. Official Website for WINWING (winwingsim.com)
I use the Thrustmaster TPR rudders for all of the configurations. TPR: Thrustmaster Pendular Rudder - | Thrustmaster
I also use a stream deck for some aircraft to assist with views and other tasks.
The seat is a next level racing military edition seat. I modified it slightly to allow the throttle system to be elevated on a metal bar for easy entrance and exit from the cockpit. Flight Simulator Boeing Military Edition - Next Level Racing
I 3D printed some of the parts to hold it all together.
Other Items
If you intend to talk to other players, you will want a decent headset with microphone to talk to other players or ATC.
Happy Flying!
