Thrustmaster T.Flight HOTAS 5 MSFS Edition Review

Introduction, Specifications, and Pricing

If you are looking at an entry-level HOTAS to enjoy some casual flying, then Thrustmaster has offered the T.Flight HOTAS X for quite a number of years now. It was a product I used for many hours before I eventually moved up to their HOTAS Warthog when things got a little more serious and I wanted to move from casual short-haul flights to venturing into the combat zones of DCS World.

The Thrustmaster T.Flight HOTAS X featured 12 buttons and 5 axes to map the most-used functions during a flight; it also had a detachable throttle, should you want to space things out on your desk or flight sim rig. The Thrustmaster T.Flight HOTAS X was compatible with most PC flight simulators and with the old PlayStation 3.

Thrustmaster is now back with a revision, or evolution, of the T.Flight HOTAS X, with the all-new T.Flight HOTAS 5 Microsoft Flight Simulator Edition. Don't be fooled, though; while they look similar, the T.Flight HOTAS 5 offers improved sensor precision, console compatibility for PS4 and PS5, 14 action buttons, 1 rapid-fire trigger, 1 multidirectional hat switch, and 5 axes, all with 16-bit precision. Marketed as a complete flight equipment solution that is excellent for beginner pilots wanting to progress and enjoy their first immersive flight experiences in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024. The Thrustmaster T.Flight HOTAS 5 offers ease of setup, precise control, instant responsiveness, and total immersion right from your very first flight.

While aimed at pilots who want to jump into MSFS, the Thrustmaster T.Flight HOTAS 5 can also be used with other civil planes, military aircraft, helicopters, and gliders, offering a versatile HOTAS setup. Priced at $109.99, it's a little more expensive than the older T.Flight HOTAS X, given its upgraded internals and PS4/PS5 compatibility, so let's take a closer look and see if it's worth buying.

Packaging

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Thrustmaster delivers the T.Flight HOTAS 5 MSFS Edition in nice color packaging, featuring a full image of the hardware on the front. Both PlayStation and Microsoft Flight Simulator logos are also present, indicating their compatibility.

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One side provides information in various languages, with a QR code to access the device manual online, while the other shows additional languages and key aspects of the joystick.

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Looking around the back, our packaging is a little beat up, thanks to the courier, but I checked on delivery, and the contents were fine. English and French versions of the features of the T.Flight HOTAS 5 MSFS Edition are listed here, and it is worth noting that Thrustmaster TFRP rudder pedals can also be connected via the port on the flight base.

Unboxing the Thrustmaster T.Flight HOTAS 5 MSFS Edition

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The inner flaps of the packaging act as the quick start guide, showing how to change modes depending on which console is in use, and how to attach the flight stick and throttle together. Underneath, the warranty information is provided, with the hardware housed in a cardboard crate.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Is the T.Flight HOTAS 5 compatible with PS4/PS5 and PC out of the box, and how do you switch console modes?

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Question #2

Which rudder control options does the HOTAS 5 provide and how do you connect external rudder pedals?

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Question #3

How many programmable buttons and axes does the HOTAS 5 have, and are there common limitations for complex sims like DCS World?

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What mounting and cable management options are included for desk or rig installation (threaded inserts, cable recesses, cable length)?

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Within the cardboard crate, plastic bags are used to keep the Thrustmaster T.Flight HOTAS 5 MSFS Edition dust-free. While the outer box was damaged in transit, everything internally has arrived safely.

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When we take out all the packaging, we can see the flight stick and throttle clearly. While the original T.Flight HOTAS X was predominantly black, here Thrustmaster is using white plastic, given the Microsoft Flight Simulation collaboration. Blue accents are also dotted around to provide a nice contrast, with some black accents still used on the sides of each component.

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PlayStation labels are used throughout the Thrustmaster T.Flight HOTAS 5 MSFS Edition, with the Create, PS, and Option buttons located on the base of the flight stick, sat below an indicator LED.

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The flight stick grip isn't too large and feels comfortable to hold. A large black area is included on the grip that your palm will rest against, with a wrist rest on the right-hand side.

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The flight stick includes a twist axis for rudder control. Another rocker axis is present on the throttle, so you can lock the flight stick in position using a screw located underneath the wrist rest should you opt for the rocker instead. The base of the stick is protected by a rubber boot to keep dust out and ensure everything functions properly.

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On top of the flight stick is a four-way POV hat, but it lacks push-button functionality. I would like to have a push button, and if you are using this to look around, it is handy for resetting the view. In the center is the L1 button, and L3 is on the right-hand side.

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Underneath, the rapid fire R1 trigger is single stage, but does include some resistance before engaging, so you know when you are about to fire off a missile. Mounted off on the shoulder is the R3 button; this requires you to move your index finger slightly to operate, but it works well.

Overall, button placement is good; the flight stick is nice and ergonomic and should suit both smaller and larger hands fairly well. There is some rattle when wiggling the flight stick around, and it's from the buttons; while they offer a positive click, there is some play around them, but given the price point and market this is aimed at, it is perfectly acceptable.

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The attachment point of the flight stick includes a pin to locate the throttle unit, and two captive screws secure the two halves together.

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Underneath, a tension dial can increase or decrease the flight stick's resistance. Depending on the style of flying you are into, it's a good inclusion to tighten things up where needed. An Allen key is also housed underneath for joining the two halves.

Two small channels allow you to direct the run of the throttle cable, depending on how you set up, stand alone, or as one unit. Rubber pads prevent the flight stick from sliding around your desk, while a threaded insert is also present for rigid mounting, with another included on the throttle.

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The front of the base includes an RJ12 port for connecting rudder pedals, should you not wish to use the onboard twist or rocker axis, with the USB-A cable for your PC also positioned here. Cable length is very good, around 2.5 meters, so you have more than enough to run back to your computer or USB hub.

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Moving over to the throttle now, there is the same black-on-white design as the flight stick. On the base, a Mode button can be used to set console connectivity, with the LED on the flight stick indicating PS4 or PS5. Below the Mode button, two action buttons are present without labels.

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Throttle position is shown via the artwork on the housing; a detent is also included that feels nice and positive when you reach half throttle. It's strong enough that you won't miss it, but not so strong that it takes a lot of additional effort to move past it.

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Square, Cross, Circle, and Triangle flow down the right-hand side of the throttle, while the Triangle is offset slightly for easier actuation with your thumb. Buttons here aren't as prone to the rattle as those found on the flight stick. As with the flight stick, the throttle is very comfortable and contours well to your hand.

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The back side of the throttle includes the additional rocker axis for rudder control, should you prefer it over the twist on the flight stick. R2 sits on top of the smaller L2 button.

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To connect both units, the throttle includes a hole for the flight stick's locating pin, and the Thrustmaster logo is present on the base.

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Under the throttle, a recess is provided to hold the cable connecting both units when used as a single unit. The cable is around 60cm long, so it's wide enough to keep them comfortably apart when using each part stand-alone. Rubber pads are again included, along with the other hard-mounting threaded insert and the threaded inserts for screwing the units together.

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Speaking of which, I wanted to run testing in the most compact form, and getting the included Allen key out of its holder under the flight stick was proving difficult. It might be because it's new and rigid, so I ended up using a small flat-bladed screwdriver to pry it out.

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It only takes around a minute to connect everything together and tidy up the wiring. The wiring recess is quite large, so you are not trying to cram everything into a small space, and you can see that the small cable channel runs back to the flight stick.

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I really enjoyed my time with my original T.Flight HOTAS X, so I am expecting more of the same, if not better, here. Thrustmaster has done away with the 10-bit sensor found on the HOTAS X, and has upgraded to the aforementioned 16-bit version, allowing for better precision and smaller movement detection. So then, let's hook up the Thrustmaster T.Flight HOTAS 5 MSFS Edition and get flying.

Installation & Software

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Installation and setup of the Thrustmaster T.Flight HOTAS 5 MSFS Edition are quite straightforward; only a quick driver download is required. With the drivers installed, I checked for any updates and then saw the joystick in the Game Controllers section of Windows Control Panel. For testing, I have Firmware 1.09 installed; it really is quite simple to get going, and now we are almost ready to take off.

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Jumping into MSFS 2024, I first had to spend a few minutes assigning all the controls I wanted before I could take off. It would be nice if this were taken care of with a default profile for the basics, but it's not a deal-breaker. After setting up, I was ready to go flying, heading off from Heathrow on my first test flight, a quick run up to East Midlands. After this, I completed a few more flights with various aircraft before moving on over to DCS World to see how versatile the Thrustmaster T.Flight HOTAS 5 MSFS Edition can be.

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Firing up DCS World, here, the Thrustmaster T.Flight HOTAS 5 MSFS Edition does have some default bindings set. I adjusted a couple of basic items, and then went on my way. Given the somewhat limited number of inputs, I did rely on the on-screen controls and keyboard for assistance; it was the same in MSFS 2024, but there is enough here to get up and running for casual use.

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Final Thoughts

With testing complete, what do I think of the Thrustmaster T.Flight HOTAS 5 MSFS Edition? There is a lot to like here; having hardly any software to set up is good, it's to the point and basic, without needing anything overly complicated, unlike other, more complex HOTAS systems that are out there. For beginners or casual pilots, this will be great, leaving the more daunting stuff for when you upgrade down the road as you become more experienced and want to get a little deeper into flight sims. Yes, a little button mapping is involved, but that's not necessarily a bad thing, as it exposes you to the vast array of control elements in sims such as MSFS 2024 and DCS World.

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Talking about the actual controls, the rudder axis, whichever you choose to use, is nice and smooth, as is the flight stick, with or without tension applied. Both the flight stick and throttle are extremely comfortable to hold and use for extended periods, and with my wrist resting on the side-mounted rest, flights didn't become tedious at all, thanks to the design's ergonomics.

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Button labels are obviously aimed at PlayStation console natives, but to be honest, once you set up your key bindings and know in your mind what is where, then they become irrelevant to quite an extent, especially on PC. While there are fifteen buttons to program, as with all flight sims, you do start to run out quite quickly, but it's enough to cover the basics well. Selecting flap position, firing off a missile, or lowering landing gear, all buttons are functional, albeit not the highest quality ever found on a HOTAS.

Including the split-desk functionality is good, and while some people may use it with a dedicated rig, it's perfectly fine in its single-unit form for desk use or on your lap. Granted, being on your lap isn't going to give you the most precision and control, but it's manageable for some quick, fun flying. Speaking of precision, while it's been some time since I last used a T.Flight HOTAS X, and I can't compare the 10-bit version to this new 16-bit version, the Thrustmaster T.Flight HOTAS 5 MSFS Edition feels precise, smooth, and reactive to my inputs, regardless of how small they are. For new aviators, it will give you more than enough to get you up and running without making you feel like you are missing out on anything.

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Thrustmaster is putting a lot into this package, for not too much money. It is a little more expensive than the older T.Flight HOTAS X, but it includes enough enhancements to justify the small price increase. The Thrustmaster T.Flight HOTAS 5 MSFS Edition will keep you up in the skies for hours and hours, being a great bit of kit for entry-level and casual pilots to get to grips with the basics. After a while, you may change course and go for something more upmarket and technical, but for those who have no need for the progression, you will be more than content with what the Thrustmaster T.Flight HOTAS 5 MSFS Edition brings to the party.