Flight Simulator Cockpits

There are many different types of flight simulator cockpits at various price points and with different accessories that allow gamers to get the ultimate flying experience.

To help you figure out what flight sim cockpit is the best fit for you and your needs, we’ve compiled a list of different brands and models and their pros and cons.

After reading it, you should have a solid idea on the right flight simulator cockpit for you.

Our flight simulator cockpits pack everything you need to play your favourite sim titles like Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020, Microsoft Flight Simulator, X-Plane and more. Imagine yourself flying the skies in a Cessna light plane or carrying a plane full of passengers in a Boeing 737.

With our range of flight cockpits and accessories you can truly build the ultimate flight sim cockpit for your home.

How to choose the perfect flight cockpit for you

There’s a lot of flight sim cockpits on the market nowadays. So, how do you know which flight sim cockpit is right for you?

Below you’ll find a breakdown on the brands and models we carry. We’ve also compiled our in-house list of the best flight simulator cockpits. We hope this list and the information below will help you decided the best flight sim cockpit for your specific needs and budget. Of course, if you still can’t make up your mind, our team of experts are on standby to help you and answer any questions you have. To contact us you can use the live chat at the bottom right of screen, email or call us.

When looking at flight cockpits, it’s important to keep in mind factors like price, quality, portability, and comfort. For example, if you’re new to flight simulation, you might not want to fork out for a high-end flight simulator cockpit that costs you several thousands of dollars. If you’re just getting started, simple may be all you need, and you can always upgrade later.

It’s also wise to get a handle on the specs of the flight sim cockpit you’re looking at. What are the measurements? Will it fit into the space you’ve got in mind? How heavy is the rig and is it portable enough for you to move around if need be?

How comfortable is the seat and should you opt for a fixed back or recline seat? For some the added adjustability of a recline seat is the way to go. While other people prefer to the all-encompassing feeling of a fixed back seat.

Finally, you need to consider the warranty attached to your flight sim cockpit. A long warranty is best for obvious reasons. In the unlikely event that anything should go wrong with your cockpit, or if there are manufacturer faults visible, you know you’ll be covered. This is why we only stock flight cockpit with at least a 12 month minimum warranty.

Types of flight simulator cockpits

When researching a new flight cockpit there are basically two categories of flight cockpit to keep in mind. These are entry level flight simulators and high-end flight simulators.

Entry Level Cockpits

Entry level cockpits are great if you’re just starting out in the flight simulation world. That’s because you don’t usually need to spend a lot of money ($500-ish can be all you need for an entry level cockpit) to get started and dip your toe in.

Budget Cockpits

The budget flight cockpits we stock include all the accessories you need to get started including yoke and joystick/throttle mounts. These mounts are predrilled to suit the most popular brands of accessories like Thrustmaster., Logitech, Honeycomb Aeronautical and more.

We’ll go into more detail below on your options in this segment but something like the Playseat Air Force Flight Simulator Cockpit (see image below) is a solid choice for an entry level, foldable flight cockpit.

High End Cockpits

If you’re looking for something that’s a little more special, you’ll want to opt for a high-end flight sim cockpit. These flight sim cockpits are obviously more expensive but that additional cost comes with the benefit of more features and a more rigid flight sim cockpit.

Also, where an entry level flight sim cockpit is more ‘cut and shut’, a high end flight sim is usually upgradeable over time so that you can keep adding to your flight aim and build your dream cockpit as funds (and time!) become available.

These top-level cockpits include all the bells and whistles you need to fly your favourite aircraft in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020. You’ve got high quality yoke, rudder pedal and throttle/joystick/HOTAS mounts. These mounts are predrilled for the most popular accessories and make bolting on your gear a breeze. 

While we’ll go into more detail on all your options for high end cockpits below. However, a great example is the TR160 flight sim from Trak Racer is highly rated with 150+ five star reviews on Amazon (see image above).

Best flight cockpits for 2022

Trak Racer RS6 MACH4 Flight Simulator:

The Trak Racer MACH 4 Flight cockpit comes with a 5 year warranty and multiple seat options, or frame only. The frame itself is made from 50mm steel tubing, while the mounts are crafted from thick laser-cut carbon steel. This is a rigid cockpit that won’t flex while Due to the steel frame, it’s also quite sturdy not flexing or shaking when you are moving in your cockpit. 

The mounts are predrilled for most flight sim accessories from brands like Thrustmaster, Honeycomb Aeronauticals and Logitech.

You can choose from fixed back or recline seat options. To boost your seat adjustability, we highly recommend you opt for the Trak Racer recline seat.

Pros:

• Adaptable to both racing and flying simulation
• Extremely sturdy frame made of steel with very little give in movement
• Mid-range price
• Long warranty

Cons:

• Doesn’t come with all the accessories, so these must be purchased separately

Best for:

• This cockpit is perfect for those who want a solid flight simulator cockpit without paying an arm and a leg for it. al thousands of dollars for the high-end rig.

Trak Racer TR8 Pro Flight Simulator:

The Trak Racer TR8 Pro Flight simulator is the upgraded version of the previous TR8 model that was a fan favourite. The biggest changes have been made to packaging and a few upgrades to the rig itself. Namely, a revised integrated monitor stand and strengthened pedal, wheel and shifter/accessory mounts. All up, you’ve got an extremely rigid frame, that’s perfect for rocketing across the sky in your F-16 fighter jet, or cruising on autopilot in a Boeing 737 MAX.

Like all Trak Racer flight simulators, the yoke, pedal and throttle mounts are all pre-drilled, making it easy for you to bolt on all your gear and start flying.

The revised integrated monitor stand (included with your TR8 Pro purchase) is a treat to use and 100x better than the previous iteration that required a lot of fiddling and DIY with some gaming monitors to make it fit. This new version is also far more adjustable. Allowing you to shift the monitor toward or away from you to get your ideal FOV. The integrated monitor stand is suitable for single monitor set-ups. We recommend you use this monitor stand paired to an ultra-wide (34 to 49 inch) gaming monitor for best results.

Trak Racer have their seats nailed. You’ve got the choice of recline or fixed back options. All seats are high quality and comfy. We’ve sat in these seats for long periods and haven’t noticed a decline in comfort. However, we do recommend people with back issues opt for the recline seat option, as you’ve got an extra level of adjustability.

Pros:

• Strengthened and reinforced features
• Easy to upgrade with a long list of accessories and add-ons
• Industry-leading 5 year warranty
• Integrated monitor mount – no need to buy a separate stand

Cons:

• Frame sometimes takes a little force to get right

Best for:

• Those flight simmers who want a cockpit and monitor stand all in the one package.

A flight simulator cockpit is easily the best way to get behind the controls of your favourite aircraft

There really is no better way to live out your dreams of piloting your favourite aircraft than behind the controls of your own flight cockpit. With advances in accessories and flight controls, flight cockpits and flight sim titles like Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020, plus more manufacturers and brands entering the space, the most immersive and realistic flight simulation experience is just a few clicks away.

Your purchase is backed by a minimum, 12 month warranty

Having a warranty can make all the difference with a flight simulator. Things happen and sometimes the cockpit or your controls malfunction in a way that is unforeseen. In those cases, it’s helpful to know you’re covered by a warranty.

Imagine receiving the package of the new cockpit and being so excited about your new flight cockpit but when you open it, you find that there’s a slit in the faux leather material of the back of the seat. Instead of letting disappointment take over, you can simply get in touch our team and request a new seat.

That’s the power of having a warranty! And obviously if you have a longer warranty that’s even better. The good news is all of our flight simulator cockpits and accessories are backed by a minimum 12 month warranty. When you look for a cockpit, make sure to factor in whether there’s a warranty attached, and how long the warranty is in comparison to the ones of other cockpit models. 

Deal with the flight sim experts!

You can trust that when you purchase from Gamer Gear Direct, you’re buying from the flight sim experts. With more than 15 years’ experience in simulation and online sales, our team of sim specialists can help you build the flight sim cockpit you’re dreaming about.  

We’re always around to have a chat. You can contact us via live chat, email and phone. With us, good customer service extends well beyond your initial purchase and we’re always happy to help you out even if your warranty has expired. 

When you’re dealing with sophisticated gear like that included with any flight sim cockpit, you want to make sure you’re supported and not left high and dry. We’re to support and help you.

But you don’t need to take our word for it. Check out all our five star reviews from customers that love our products and first-class service.

We’ve got all the accessories you need to build your dream flight cockpit

We’ve got everything you need to finish off your flight simulator cockpit. That includes yokes, rudder pedals, HOTAS, joysticks and more. We only stock the best brands so you can be sure that when you buy accessories and add-ons for your flight cockpit, you’re buying the best.

We carry big-name brands like Logitech, Thrustmaster and Honeycomb Aeronauticals. The great thing about these brands is they manufacturer flight simulator controls at various price points – both high-end and entry-level. For example, Thrustmaster produce joysticks that you can pick up for around $120 – a great starter price point. But also produce high-end HOTAS that will set you back $1,000.

So, you don’t need to re-mortgage your house to buy quality gear for your flight cockpit. For example, our most popular yoke comes from Honeycomb Aeronauticals. This Californian-based company is run by professional pilots and flight engineers. The Alpha yoke and switch panel is priced at under $500. For less than $500, you can add one of the best yokes on the market to your flight simulator cockpit.

Like we said, you don’t need to spend a fortune to build your flight rig. And with our massive range of accessories, you’ll find everything you need to get your flight cockpit build off the ground.

Fly now, pay later

If you can’t fully fund your flight simulator cockpit, but you don’t want to wait to order, why not look at our interest free, buy now, pay later options including Afterpay and LatitudePay.

These options literally allow you to fly now and pay later. You can grab your flight cockpit today and pay off over a period of weeks or months without paying any extra interest. With our buy now, pay later options, it has never been easier to purchase a flight cockpit.

Final thoughts

Whatever flight simulator cockpit you end up choosing, it’s really important to keep your goals, budget, and preferences in mind. There are so many great options out there to choose from, but it doesn’t make sense to spend money on something if it isn’t a good fit for your current situation. Also, keep in mind that you can upgrade by adding different features or if you end up becoming a professional gamer for example, can always purchase a more high-end model later on.

Just because you purchase this model and cockpit doesn’t mean it has to fit you and your lifestyle indefinitely. It just has to fit you now. Whether you’re a professional gamer or you’re just someone getting introduced to the flight sims, there’s a fitting rig for you. We hope this article provided you with enough information and insight to help you fly the skies forever in comfort and style. 

FAQ

What is the best flight cockpit?

There are so many great flight cockpits on the market that each serves their own purpose and is particularly great if you have a certain preference. Depending on the budget, desired accessories, and preference, one flight simulator cockpit will be a better fit for you than another. Not every flight sim is compatible with all accessories. The price of a simulator can vary quite greatly, so if you have less than $1,000 in your budget, certain sims make more sense than others.

Which flight cockpit should I buy?

As much as we’d like to give you an answer, flight simulator cockpits aren’t a one size fits all solution. Each simulator addresses different needs and helps you achieve a different goal. Depending on what your goal is, you should go for that kind of simulator.

If your goal is to have the most real life-like experience, then that will be a different choice than finding a good entry-level flight sim that fits your smaller budget and helps you explore the world of flight simulation. So as much as we’d like to say buy ‘xyz’, we can’t do that without extensively discussing your goals, preferences, budget, etc.

Can I use a flight cockpit for racing, too?

The beauty in flight cockpits are that they can also be used for racing games. There may be some slight differences in terms of seating position and of course, having a steering wheel, but these things can be purchased or adjusted. There are some flight simulators that offer a feature in which you can move from flight simulation play into racing play within just a few minutes.

Now, most cockpits will allow for you also to race, but it can be helpful if it does transform into a racing cockpit simulator as well and that should be definitely influencing the budget. Having both options available is a huge advantage and can therefore cost more.

What accessories can I add to a flight simulator cockpit?

As mentioned above, these cockpits are often bare bones and don’t include accessories, though sometimes they do. These accessories can enrichen the entire experience. How cool is it to use a joystick that feels like the real thing and helps land your fighter jet safely to the ground? This is just one of many examples.

Here's some accessories that can be added to a flight cockpit...

Yoke: the steering wheel of any plane. What would a flight cockpit be without this? How will you be able to choose if you need to go a few degrees to the left or right without the yoke? While some may see this as optional, it really isn’t.

Rudder pedals: Pedals will be important for when you take off, as well as if you should ever consider switching your flight sim cockpit into one that allows you to race. Some of these pedals will also give you some feedback and vibration that will help make it feel like you’re truly flying a plane.

Joystick: You obviously need something in order to help land or fly a plane and steer it. Steering wheels are commonly used for race simulators, but flight simulators need joysticks. Without it, you’re certainly lacking a big part of the “real” experience.

Mats: Having a mat can help with multiple things: making sure your rig doesn’t move too much while you’re playing, as well as help with protecting your floors from scratches and/or dings.

Keyboard tray: A keyboard tray helps you take advantage of the keyboard for whenever you need it, but keeps it away from all the other items that help make it feel like you’re in a real fighter jet.

Cup holder: Perfect for drinking your favorite soft drink while shooting down your enemies and protecting your country in a game. Also helps protect the rest of your rig from being destroyed when you have a designated place to put it.

Flight switch panel: You know how pilots flip certain switches and it looks impressive even though they just flicked their finger? With a flight switch panel, you can do the same and really convince yourself that you’re the pilot of your own plane.

Flight radio panel: Similarly, to the flight switch, the radio panel helps you embody your role in the video game as a pilot. The audio will also be much more convincing, and you’ll find yourself easily spending hours playing these flight simulation games.