The second change worth making is remapping two of the rear paddles to control trim. Since you’ll perform most of your maneuvers with the left thumbstick, the additional amount of control made flying much more refined. The added height of the thumbstick allows for smoother and more precise aircraft control. Tall thumbstick for yokeįirst, it’s easier to control the yoke of the plane by swapping the left thumbstick for the taller option that comes in the box. The Xbox Elite Series 2 controller is a great option for game pad flying because of the two specific features of the controller: swappable thumbsticks, and customizable paddles on the back of the controller. Xbox Elite Series 2 controller Image: Microsoft To make the most of the experience, we’ve been using a specific controller to expand the options in our hands. Playing Microsoft Flight Simulator with just a controller is a completely valid option. With Star Wars: Squadrons on the way, it’s time to build the cockpit of your dreams Even after you’ve mastered the controls, you’ll still have to rely on your computer’s keyboard for some more advanced options. Whether you’re using an Xbox controller or a third-party option, a standard game pad will allow you to control most of the operations of any given aircraft.Īs we mention in our Microsoft Flight Simulator beginner’s guide, complete Flight Training first to learn about pulling off nuanced maneuvers on a game pad. If you want to quickly soar into the sky, you can confidentially learn how to pilot an aircraft with the controller you probably already own. For those considering buying a flight stick for Microsoft Flight Simulator, we’ll let you know what to consider when purchasing one or more pieces of gear. In this Microsoft Flight Simulator guide, we’ll show you our favorite control options if you plan on flying with a standard controller. The game supports a plethora of controllers and flight stick replicas, and for newcomers to the flight simulation genre, it can be difficult to find the right hardware and control scheme. In Microsoft Flight Simulator, not only do you have the freedom to fly wherever you want, but you can also fly however you like.

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