Find the best HOTAS mount for your flight simulator setup. Compare desk clamps, chair mounts, floor stands and cockpit frames.
Across Microsoft Flight Simulator, X-Plane and DCS, the best HOTAS mount for most desks is a pair of rigid, height-adjustable metal desk clamps with removable plates—one for the stick and one for the throttle. Choose a floor stand if the desk edge is unsuitable, or a cockpit frame for a permanent rig.
Which HOTAS mount type is best?
Dual desk-clamp mounts offer the best balance of rigidity, adjustment and easy removal for most flight simulator setups. Independent stick and throttle mounts also let you position each control properly rather than accepting the fixed spacing of a single wide tray.
| Mount type | Best for | Main drawback |
|---|---|---|
| Dual desk clamps | Normal desks and removable setups | Need a strong, accessible desk edge |
| Chair mounts | Compact setups where controls should move with the seat | Can worsen chair movement and cable management |
| Floor stand | Glass desks, deep aprons or desks that cannot be clamped | Occupies floor space and may interfere with pedals |
| Cockpit frame | Permanent rigs, stick extensions and high-force controls | Needs dedicated space |
A floor stand is not automatically less stable than a desk mount, but its feet, crossbars and weight matter. Our comparison of joystick stands, clamps and cockpit frames explains where each layout works best.
How do I check whether a HOTAS mount will fit?
Measure the desk and the controls before choosing a mount. A product described as universal may still conflict with the desk apron, a cable tray or the bolt pattern under the joystick base.
- Inspect the desk edge. Measure its thickness, the flat clamping depth underneath and any bevelled edge. Do not clamp to glass unless both the desk and mount manufacturers explicitly permit it.
- Check the mounting plates. Confirm that the plate lists your exact stick and throttle or compare its slots with the controls' mounting-hole pattern. Controls secured from underneath also need access for the screw heads and tools.
- Allow for adjustment. The vertical arm must lower the grip beneath desktop height without hitting your knees. Fore-and-aft adjustment helps keep the stick close enough that you are not reaching towards it.
- Consider control forces. A stick extension, force-feedback base or throttle with firm detents applies more leverage than a light desktop joystick. Use a shorter, stiffer mounting arm or a braced cockpit mount for these controls.
- Plan removal and storage. Quick-release clamps save time, but they still need to lock without play. Check the weight and folded dimensions if the mounts will be removed after every flight.
The mistake we see most often is checking only the advertised clamp opening. The clamp also needs a flat contact area clear of drawers, frames and cable channels. For the practical details, use our desk-strength, clamp-placement and surface-protection checks.
Where should the stick and throttle be positioned?
Mount both controls low enough that your shoulders stay relaxed and your wrists remain straight. The joystick grip should fall naturally under the hand, while the throttle should be reachable without leaning forwards or twisting your torso.
- Side-stick layout: place the grip beside the thigh and close to the chair, not high on the desktop.
- Centre-stick layout: check clearance around the seat, knees and stick extension throughout the full control movement.
- Throttle position: keep it opposite the stick at a similar working height, with room to operate switches and detents without striking the desk.
- Pedal clearance: make sure floor-stand feet or crossbars do not limit rudder-pedal travel.
If the setup is expanding beyond a HOTAS into panels, pedals and multiple displays, it is usually better to plan the cockpit frame and control positions together rather than adding separate mounts one at a time.
Why does a HOTAS mount wobble?
Wobble usually comes from a flexible desk edge, an overextended mounting arm or movement between adjustment joints. Tightening the clamp harder will not repair weak particleboard and may damage the desk.
- If the clamp rotates, move it to a flat section and ensure both pads contact the desk squarely.
- If the vertical arm flexes, reduce its drop, tighten every joint and remove unnecessary extension pieces.
- If the desk lifts or bows, spread the load with a suitable protective plate or switch to a floor stand or cockpit frame.
- If the control moves on its plate, use the correct bolts and adaptor rather than relying on friction pads alone.
- If a chair-mounted HOTAS moves, lock the chair's rotation and castors where possible, then provide enough USB cable slack for safe movement.
For a typical removable setup, we would choose two rigid metal desk clamps with separate height and reach adjustment, replaceable control plates, broad padded jaws and tidy cable anchoring. For a force-feedback base, long stick extension or unsuitable desk, a braced floor stand or cockpit frame is the better mount.