Which flight sticks for Xbox Series X|S work with Microsoft Flight Simulator?
Compare Xbox Series X|S flight sticks for Microsoft Flight Simulator, including HOTAS One and VelocityOne, plus setup and compatibility fixes.
For Microsoft Flight Simulator on Xbox Series X|S, choose an Xbox-licensed flight stick. The established options are the Thrustmaster T.Flight HOTAS One, T.Flight Full Kit X, TCA Sidestick X Airbus Edition, TCA Captain Pack X Airbus Edition and Turtle Beach VelocityOne Flightstick. Most PC-only USB joysticks do not work on Xbox.
Which Xbox flight sticks are compatible with Microsoft Flight Simulator?
These Xbox-compatible flight sticks work with the console editions of Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 and Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 when the simulator is installed locally on an Xbox Series X or Series S.
| Flight control | Control layout | Best suited to | Main consideration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thrustmaster T.Flight HOTAS One | Flight stick with separate throttle section | General aviation, military jets and an affordable first HOTAS | Fewer controls than newer premium units, so some functions remain on the controller or keyboard |
| Thrustmaster T.Flight Full Kit X | T.Flight HOTAS One with compatible rudder pedals | Anyone wanting stick, throttle and pedals in one matched package | This is a bundle rather than a different flight stick |
| Thrustmaster TCA Sidestick X Airbus Edition | Compact sidestick with built-in throttle control | Airbus flying, smaller desks and users planning to add compatible TCA controls | Buy the Xbox-capable Sidestick X, not the similarly named PC edition |
| Thrustmaster TCA Captain Pack X Airbus Edition | TCA Sidestick X with Airbus-style throttle quadrant and associated controls | Airbus airliner operations | The specialised layout is less natural for aircraft with conventional throttles |
| Turtle Beach VelocityOne Flightstick | Self-contained stick with numerous assignable controls | A compact, versatile setup without a separate throttle unit | Its integrated throttle controls are smaller than a full-size separate quadrant |
Exact model names matter. The X in TCA Sidestick X and Captain Pack X identifies the Xbox versions; their PC-only relatives are not interchangeable. The T.Flight HOTAS One may be sold in packaging that emphasises Xbox One, but the Xbox model also works on Series X|S.
Support for yokes, separate throttles and pedals involves extra connection rules. Our platform-by-platform MSFS 2024 controller guide covers those devices without assuming that PC compatibility also means Xbox compatibility.
What is the best flight stick for Xbox Series X|S?
The VelocityOne Flightstick is the strongest all-round choice for a compact, self-contained Xbox flight stick, while the T.Flight HOTAS One is usually the better choice when a proper separate throttle matters more than having numerous controls on the stick base.
- Best compact all-rounder: Choose the Turtle Beach VelocityOne Flightstick when desk space is limited and you want plenty of assignable controls in one unit.
- Best straightforward HOTAS: Choose the T.Flight HOTAS One for a traditional stick-and-throttle arrangement that suits many aircraft types.
- Best complete starter package: Choose the T.Flight Full Kit X if you already know that you want physical rudder pedals.
- Best Airbus-style flight joystick: Choose the TCA Sidestick X for a compact sidestick, or the Captain Pack X when you also want the matching throttle controls.
The right choice depends more on throttle layout, available desk space and preferred aircraft than on the number of advertised buttons. Our comparison of joysticks, HOTAS units, gamepads and yokes explains where each control style works best.
Why do ordinary PC joysticks not work on Xbox?
A USB connector does not make a PC joystick compatible with Xbox. The console requires supported Xbox authentication, and Microsoft Flight Simulator must recognise the device and its axes.
A stick may illuminate when connected yet never appear in the simulator because USB power and usable controller input are separate things. Well-known PC-only examples include the Logitech Extreme 3D Pro, X52 and X56, Thrustmaster T.16000M and HOTAS Warthog, along with many specialist PC controls. Always check the exact model rather than relying on the manufacturer's name or product family.
Generic USB adaptors, controller pass-through cables and keyboard converters are not dependable solutions. They may turn analogue axes into button presses, remove fine control, introduce dead zones or fail after an update. An Xbox logo also does not guarantee support in every flying game; peripheral support is decided separately by each title.
Do Xbox Series X and Series S use the same flight sticks?
Xbox Series X and Series S use the same compatible flight sticks, HOTAS systems and control profiles. The Series S has no disc drive, but that has no effect on USB flight-control support.
Both consoles need a locally installed copy of Microsoft Flight Simulator for normal joystick and HOTAS use. A flight stick bought for Series X does not need a different edition or adaptor to work on Series S.
Do you need rudder pedals or a separate throttle?
Rudder pedals and a separate throttle are optional because the listed sticks provide rudder and throttle control without them. Physical pedals give finer yaw control during taxiing, crosswind landings and helicopter flying, while a larger throttle is easier to manage than a small slider.
On Xbox, expansion controls may need to connect through a compatible stick, base or dedicated ecosystem hub rather than directly to the console. Check the required connection path before buying separate modules. Our guide to useful and optional Xbox flight-simulation accessories explains which additions materially change the flying experience.
How do you connect a flight stick to Xbox Series X|S?
Connect the flight stick directly to the console in Xbox mode before opening Microsoft Flight Simulator, then verify every analogue axis in the simulator's control settings.
- Confirm the complete model name. Check that the packaging or device documentation explicitly lists Xbox compatibility. Do not assume the PC edition of the same product will work.
- Install any applicable firmware update. If the manufacturer provides an updater, apply it using a supported computer before troubleshooting the console.
- Select Xbox mode. If the stick has a PC/Xbox selector, set it to Xbox while the simulator is closed.
- Connect expansion modules correctly. Attach pedals or throttle modules through the required stick, base or ecosystem hub rather than assuming each accessory can use a separate console USB port.
- Plug the stick directly into the console. Avoid USB hubs, long extension cables and adaptors during initial setup.
- Launch the installed simulator. Open its controls screen, select the flight stick and test pitch, roll, yaw and throttle before changing button assignments.
- Save a separate profile. Keep the default preset intact and make aircraft-specific profiles when different cockpit layouts require different throttle, propeller or mixture bindings.
Xbox Cloud Gaming does not generally pass a connected USB flight stick or HOTAS into the streamed session. If the peripheral works in the console interface but not in a cloud session, install and run Microsoft Flight Simulator locally instead.
What should you do if Microsoft Flight Simulator does not detect the joystick?
Most detection failures come from the wrong operating mode, Quick Resume, an unsupported connection path or a damaged control profile rather than a failed joystick.
| Symptom | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| The stick lights up but does not appear in controls | PC mode, unsupported model, adaptor or stale USB detection | Fully quit the simulator, select Xbox mode, connect directly to another console USB port and restart |
| The device appears but no axes respond | Blank or incorrect preset | Load the default preset or create a fresh profile, then confirm that pitch, roll, yaw and throttle are assigned as analogue axes |
| The aircraft pulls, yaws or changes power by itself | Duplicate assignments across the stick, controller or pedals | Clear overlapping axis bindings and leave each primary control assigned to one physical axis |
| The throttle jumps between idle and full power | An axis has been assigned to increase/decrease commands or processed through an adaptor | Bind the physical lever to the appropriate throttle axis and remove unofficial converters |
| An axis works backwards | Axis direction is inverted | Use the simulator's reverse or invert-axis option for that assignment |
| Pedals or a throttle module are missing | The accessory requires connection through its parent stick, base or Xbox hub | Reconnect the modules using the manufacturer's required Xbox connection chain |
| The stick stops working after resuming the game | Quick Resume retained an old controller state | Quit Microsoft Flight Simulator completely, reconnect the hardware and relaunch it |
| The aircraft drifts around the centre position | Minor sensor noise or an overly small dead zone | Check for a physical obstruction, then add only enough in-simulator dead zone to stop the movement |
Control profiles and menu wording differ between Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 and 2024, so review assignments after changing simulator versions rather than assuming they transferred correctly. For the next step, follow our guide to mapping, testing and saving MSFS 2024 controller profiles.