Here is our review of the Thrustmaster T.Flight Hotas 5 Microsoft Flight Simulator Edition.
Take to the skies with the officially licensed Thrustmaster T.Flight Hotas 5, built in partnership with Microsoft Flight Simulator for pilots who want precision control without breaking the bank. The set pairs an ergonomic flight stick with a detachable throttle, giving you the full Hotas (Hands On Throttle And Stick) experience whether you’re flying a Cessna or something a lot heavier.
With a 16-bit resolution H.E.A.R.T magnetic sensor on the main axes, dual-stage rudder control via the twist grip, and a removable throttle that clicks apart from the joystick base, the Hotas 5 is designed to grow with you as your simming ambitions grow too.
Features
T.Flight Hotas 5 Microsoft Flight Simulator Edition is a complete flight equipment solution — excellent for beginner pilots who want to progress and enjoy their first immersive flight experiences in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024. Plug & Play, it offers precise control, instant responsiveness and total immersion right from users’ very first flights.
The joystick’s ergonomic design lets it adapt to all types of flight (air combat, space adventure, civil flight, etc.). Experience next-level sensations with T.Flight Hotas 5 Microsoft Flight Simulator Edition, the outstanding solution for making progress in an immersive flight experience. The joystick and throttle offer 14 action buttons, 1 rapid-fire trigger and 1 multidirectional hat switch, as well as 5 axes (including the Z-axis) for 16-bit precision.
Adapt to your gaming environment thanks to T.Flight Hotas 5 Microsoft Flight Simulator Edition’s detachable throttle and weighted base. Choose to play on a desk or table, or on your lap: detach the joystick from its throttle to recreate real flight sensations, or keep it attached for greater stability and to take up less space.
Depending on your preferences, T.Flight Hotas 5 Microsoft Flight Simulator Edition’s rudder function (which lets you rotate the aircraft around its vertical axis) can be used by rotating the flight stick grip (the joystick’s Z-axis) for better control, or via the progressive tilting lever for more realism.
T.Flight Hotas 5 Microsoft Flight Simulator Edition offers next-level piloting comfort during your sessions thanks to its adjustable flight stick grip resistance, wide hand rest and ergonomic button layout — designed for all types of aircraft. It’s great for civil and military aircraft, helicopters and gliders.
For even more realistic flight sensations and incredible control of your aircraft’s lateral movements, T.Flight Hotas 5 Microsoft Flight Simulator Edition is compatible with the Thrustmaster TFRP rudder pedals system (sold separately) featuring S.M.A.R.T. (Sliding Motion Advanced Rail Tracks) technology.
What’s in the box?
The box contains the T.Flight Hotas 5 MSFS Special Edition flight stick and instructions.
A Closer Look
Final Thoughts
Setting up the Hotas 5 only takes a few minutes and is really simple. Just plug it into a USB port on your PC, PS4 or PS5, press the mode button to select which system you are connected to (its easy to tell by which colour is displayed) and Microsoft Flight Simulator recognises it immediately, with button mapping already set up right out of the box for anyone who just wants to get flying without fiddling in the settings menu first. If you are using it on PC you will need to download some drivers first.
The joystick itself is chunky without being unwieldy, and the moulded handle sits comfortably in the hand even after a couple of hours in the air. The buttons have a reassuring click to them, and the POV hat on top of the stick is exactly where your thumb naturally falls. The throttle slides apart from the base with a satisfying clunk, and once separated the two halves connect magnetically so you can arrange them however suits your desk and your flying style.
The H.E.A.R.T magnetic sensors make a real difference here. Fine adjustments during landing feel accurate rather than twitchy, and there’s none of the input drift that can plague cheaper sticks after a few months of use.
Splitting the throttle away from the stick and placing it to your left, Hotas-style, transforms the whole experience. Managing throttle, mixture and prop pitch with your left hand while your right hand stays on the stick makes complex approaches feel far more natural, and it’s genuinely satisfying once it clicks.
The twist-grip rudder takes a little getting used to if you’ve never flown with one before, but after a short flight or two it becomes second nature, and it means you can get started without having to buy a separate set of pedals.
Build quality throughout feels solid for the price point, and the printed Microsoft Flight Simulator branding on the throttle is a nice touch that fans of the sim will appreciate.
The Thrustmaster T.Flight Hotas 5 Microsoft Flight Simulator Edition is available now priced around £89.99, and is a genuinely strong starting point for anyone looking to move up from a gamepad or keyboard-and-mouse setup.
