Flight Sim Yoke - 3 Key Points To Consider Before You Buy
If you’re serious about your computer flying then you’ll eventually find yourself wanting a flight simulator yoke. Although you start using the keyboard and mouse and then a joystick, after you get familiar with the flying, it doesn’t take long before you’ll want to fly with more realistic controls. The simulator yoke is modelled after the actual control used in aircraft and can provide you with the most realistic flying experience.
When it is time to upgrade to a flight simulator yoke, you might be wondering what to look out for. The different models available have different features and it is worth the time to understand them. If you do not, you might find yourself dissapointed with your selection.
A basic yoke will allow to push and pull, controlling the pitch or elevators of the aircraft. The yoke can also be used to affect the roll of the plane by controlling the ailerons, by turning the wheel left or right. Look out for a yoke that has a good self centering mechanism. When you take your hands off the control, you want it to return to the center, every time. Why is this important? Imagine how frustrating it would be if you are flying your aircraft, complete a turn, you return it to the central position, but the plane doesn’t fly straight without your hands on the control.
Many people buy the yoke and then start to think about where they’ll put it. Most people will place the yoke on their desk or table, however it needs to be attached well. It is not a great experience to find the yoke rocking or coming right off the table when you are pushing it forward or pulling it back. Out of the box, yokes will typically come with clips, but with some decent flying action, they won’t be sturdy enough to keep it in place. When you buy your yoke, think about where it will sit, and how you could make sure you can attach it firmly, perhaps with clamps or even screwing it down.
It may seem obvious, but you should check that the yoke you are going to buy is going to work with your setup. The three things you need to check are - what operating systems the yoke supports, that it will work with your favourite flight simulator software and how it will plug into your computer. Most yokes with work will plug into a USB port, so make sure you have one available.
Buying a flight sim yoke is usually a great decision for most people and they wish they had done it sooner. Make sure you do some preparation before making your purchase to find the right one for you and you will find your flying jumps to a new level of realism and enjoyment.