A HOTAS setup for a space flight simulator pairs a flight stick with a separate throttle: the stick steers your ship, while the throttle controls speed. HOTAS stands for “Hands-On Throttle And Stick.” [1] Start with those core controls, then add bindings that suit how you want to fly.
Keeping steering and speed on separate controls gives you a straightforward starting point: you can turn with the stick while adjusting speed on the throttle. For example, try a gentle turn while moving the throttle, then see whether each control feels natural to you.
Before buying, check that your simulator supports the specific stick and throttle, and consider where the two units will sit and what you want to spend. Once you have them, set up the core controls first; add more bindings only as you decide what you need. A simple first mapping—steering, speed, and a few essential actions—gives you a clear starting point for an in-game test.
What should you check before buying a HOTAS?
Before buying a HOTAS, check that your simulator supports the exact stick and throttle you want, that you have room for both, and that their cost fits your budget. A little planning can save you from buying a setup that is awkward to place or hard to use for the way you fly.
Check device support and handling
Look for support for the specific stick and throttle model, not just HOTAS controls in general. Two separate USB devices can be handled differently from a single controller, so check whether the simulator can identify and configure both units as you expect. For example, if the stick appears but the throttle does not, a setup that looked suitable on paper may not work smoothly in your game.
Consider how you would manage the pair in your setup. A stick and throttle take separate spots, and you may need mounts or a place to store them when you are not flying. Measure the available space at your desk or cockpit before buying; imagine where each unit will sit and whether you can reach its controls comfortably.
Set a budget and choose for your use
Decide what you can spend on the stick and throttle together before looking at add-ons. Start with the two main devices, then consider optional mounts or panels only if they fit your space and remaining budget. A practical example: if your desk has limited room, it may make more sense to prioritize a pair you can place securely than to stretch your budget for extras.
Do not pick a setup based on button count alone. Think about the actions you want close at hand and whether the buttons and controls suit your intended flying. A control layout packed with buttons may be less useful than one you can operate comfortably without hunting for the controls you need.
Before you buy, write down the simulator and device models you plan to use, the space available for each unit, and your budget for the pair. Then confirm support and sketch a simple initial mapping for steering, speed, and a few essential actions before adding extra bindings.
Prepare the devices and a clean control profile
Connect the stick and throttle before launching your simulator when practical, then confirm both devices appear and respond in its controls menu. [2] A little preparation makes it easier to tell whether the game sees the full HOTAS setup before you start building a profile.
Connect and check both devices
Plug in both units before opening the simulator if you can. Once the game is running, open its device or controls settings and look for the stick and throttle as separate inputs; then move each one and check for a visible response, such as an axis indicator moving. [2]
If one device is missing or appears inactive, pause the setup rather than assigning controls around it. Reconnect it and check the controls menu again. This keeps the first profile focused on devices the simulator actually detects.
Keep your HOTAS bindings in one profile
If the simulator offers control profiles, create one specifically for your HOTAS before changing bindings. [2] Give it a clear name, such as “HOTAS,” so you can identify it later instead of confusing it with a keyboard, controller, or default profile.
Treat the profile as a clean workspace for these two devices. Before editing, confirm the simulator has the HOTAS profile selected; otherwise, you may change a different profile and wonder why your intended setup did not take effect. If the game does not offer profiles, use its available device-selection and save options to keep track of the HOTAS configuration.
Verify inputs before moving on
Check the stick and throttle separately in the simulator’s input display. Move the stick through its range, then move the throttle, and watch whether the corresponding input indicators change. [2] This simple check can reveal a device that is connected but not being read as expected.
For example, if the stick indicator responds but the throttle indicator does not, you know which device needs attention before you continue. Once both register, you have a sound starting point for mapping controls in your dedicated profile. Keep the initial check focused on recognition and response; the next step is deciding which actions to bind.
Map the essential controls before adding extras
Put the main flight controls where your hands expect them. Assign the stick’s primary steering axes to the movement you use to aim and turn, and keep speed control on the throttle. For example, map the stick’s left-right and forward-back movement to your simulator’s corresponding steering inputs, rather than scattering those controls across buttons. [1]
Choose a small set of easy-to-reach buttons. Give frequently used actions a clear, reachable button, and start with only what you need for an initial flight. You might map a weapon or interaction action if it is essential to the first flight, but leave less-used options for later. The goal is to keep your first mapping easy to remember, not to fill every switch and button.
Look for duplicate bindings before you fly. Check the simulator’s existing keyboard and controller assignments as well as the new HOTAS entries. If one action is assigned to two controls unintentionally, pressing either one may produce an unexpected result; for instance, review whether a stick button duplicates a keyboard action you already use. Keep intentional duplicates only when you want both inputs to trigger the same action.
Save your profile, then test it in a low-pressure setting. A calm practice area or other safe in-game setting gives you room to check the assignments without the demands of a busy flight. Try the controls you mapped and confirm that the intended actions respond; if something feels awkward, revise the binding and save again. [2]
Before adding more controls, keep the first profile focused on the actions you actually need to get through an initial flight. Once those assignments make sense to you, you can build on them with extra bindings rather than guessing at a full layout all at once.
Test the setup and adjust it to your preference
Test your HOTAS setup one input at a time, and adjust it until the simulator responds the way you expect. Make a small change, try it in a low-pressure situation, and note what happened before you change anything else. That way, if a control behaves oddly, you can identify the binding to revisit instead of guessing at several changes at once.
Check each input in practice
Choose one control and confirm its in-game effect before moving on. For example, move the stick along one axis and watch whether your ship turns in the intended direction; then try a mapped button and check that it triggers the intended action. If the response is reversed or activates the wrong function, correct that assignment and test it again.
Keep the first test focused on the controls you rely on most. You do not need to try every possible button or build out a complex profile in one session. A short, deliberate check helps you spot a mismatch before it becomes frustrating during a flight.
Make the layout comfortable
Your bindings should be easy to reach and understand without pulling your attention away from the game. If you have to look down to find a frequently used button, or stretch awkwardly to press it, move that action to a more comfortable control. For example, if an action you use often sits on a hard-to-reach button, try assigning it to a nearby button you can identify by touch.
Treat comfort as something you can refine through use. Try a binding in a real flight, then change it if it feels unintuitive or interrupts your attention. Keep the layout that works for your hands and habits rather than copying someone else’s arrangement.
Recheck after updates
After a simulator update, take a moment to check that your profile still behaves as intended. Updates can mean your controls need attention [2], so test the inputs you depend on before settling into a longer session. If something no longer responds as expected, review that assignment and verify it again in-game.
Add secondary bindings only once the core controls feel reliable. A good next step is to test the basic layout, make any comfort or response adjustments, and then add one extra action at a time. That keeps the setup easier to understand and troubleshoot as it grows.
Start with compatibility and a simple first profile
Before you build a HOTAS profile, confirm your simulator supports the specific stick and throttle you plan to use, then sketch a small set of essential controls and test them in-game. That gives you a practical first step without turning setup into a long list of bindings.
Start by checking the simulator’s device support in its control settings or documentation. If you have a particular HOTAS in mind, look for support for both parts of that setup rather than assuming the simulator will handle the stick and throttle together. The setup guidance for Microsoft Flight Simulator also recommends connecting both devices before launch and creating a separate control profile. [2]
Plan a simple first profile
Keep your initial map short enough to remember. On paper, list the inputs you want for steering, speed, and a few essential actions—for example, one button for a key flight action and another for a function you use often. You can leave less-used actions for later rather than filling every available button at once.
Make the plan specific to your own device and simulator. Write down which control you intend to use for each action, so you have a clear reference while setting up the profile. If you are unsure whether an assignment feels natural, treat it as a starting point, not a permanent choice.
Test before expanding
Load into a low-pressure part of the game and try the planned controls before adding more. Check whether steering, speed changes, and each chosen action respond as you intended. If something is hard to reach or awkward to use, change the assignment and try again.
Once the small profile works for you, add only the bindings you actually want. For example, you might add a useful secondary action after confirming the controls you need for a basic flight feel comfortable. The next step is simple: verify support for your exact setup, write down a few initial assignments, and test that profile in-game before expanding it.