MSFS 2024 Controls and Hardware Setup. Do it the right way with simple steps, recommended devices, and sensitivity tips for smoother, more realistic flight simulation. If you haven’t already, check out our beginner overview of controls.
Why controls matter more than graphics
When people first launch Microsoft Flight Simulator, they often focus on visuals, scenery, or aircraft.
But the real connection to flying comes from something much simpler:
How does the simulator feel in your hands?
Good controls create:
- Smooth, precise movement
- Natural aircraft response
- Better landings
- Greater immersion
- Faster learning
Poor controls do the opposite, no matter how beautiful the graphics look.
That’s why controls and hardware setup are one of the most important foundations in the entire simulator. Make sure that you check and be sure that you have performance settings that match your hardware.
MSFS 2024 Controls and Hardware Setup. The three levels of control realism
We need to be sure that you have set your controls for realistic flying. Every simmer naturally moves through three stages.
Level 1 — Basic controller flying
Most beginners start with:
- Keyboard and mouse
- Xbox or game controller
This is completely valid.
You can learn navigation, landings, and aircraft behaviour perfectly well at this stage.
The goal here is comfort and familiarity, not realism.
Level 2 — Entry flight hardware
The next step usually introduces:
- A joystick or flight stick
- Basic throttle control
- Possibly rudder pedals
This dramatically improves:
- Precision
- Smoothness
- Landing control
- Overall immersion
For many simmers, this level already feels fully satisfying.
Level 3 — Full simulation hardware
Advanced setups may include:
- Yokes and throttles
- Rudder pedals with toe brakes
- Switch panels
- Multi-screen or VR setups
This stage focuses on procedure realism and immersion, not just flying skill.
But it’s important to remember:
You do not need advanced hardware to enjoy MSFS.
Progression should always feel natural, never forced.
Choosing between controller, joystick, and yoke
Each control style suits a different flying experience.
Game controller
Best for:
- Casual flying
- Limited desk space
- Beginners learning basics
Limitations:
- Less precision
- Harder fine landing control
- Less immersion
Still perfectly usable.
Joystick/flight stick
Best balance for most simmers:
- Compact
- Precise
- Affordable
- Excellent for GA and jets
For many people, a good joystick is the ideal long-term solution.
Yoke system
Best for:
- Airliner realism
- General aviation immersion
- Stable two-hand flying
Trade-offs:
- Larger desk space
- Higher cost
- Less suited to fast jets
A yoke is about experience, not necessity.
Do you really need rudder pedals?
Short answer:
No, but they help a lot.
Pedals improve:
- Taxi steering
- Crosswind landings
- Ground realism
- Brake control
Without pedals, the simulator is still fully flyable.
With pedals, it simply feels more natural.
Sensitivity settings: the hidden key to smooth flying
Many control problems are not hardware problems.
They are sensitivity curve problems.
Incorrect sensitivity causes:
- Jerky pitch and roll
- Over-correction on landing
- Difficulty holding altitude
- Unstable approaches
Good sensitivity settings create:
- Smooth control response
- Gentle centre precision
- Predictable aircraft behaviour
This single adjustment can transform the entire simulator experience.
Dead zones and why they matter
Dead zones prevent tiny unwanted inputs near the centre of a control axis.
Too little dead zone:
- Aircraft drifts
- Constant micro-corrections needed
Too much dead zone:
- Sluggish response
- Poor precision
A small, balanced dead zone usually feels most realistic.
Recommended beginner control philosophy
Instead of chasing perfection, focus on:
- Smoothness over sharpness
- Consistency over realism claims
- Comfort over complexity
If the aircraft feels easy to control,
You are doing it right.
Camera and view controls
Realism also depends on how you look around the cockpit.
Helpful habits:
- Smooth camera movement
- Natural field of view
- Avoid extreme zoom levels
- Keep horizon visibility comfortable
A calm, human-eye perspective always feels more believable than dramatic motion.
Hardware upgrades: when they make sense
Upgrade hardware only when a real limitation appears, such as:
- Difficulty landing smoothly
- Trouble controlling the throttle precisely
- Wanting deeper immersion
Upgrading too early often leads to:
- Wasted money
- Frustration
- Complexity before readiness
Let your experience guide upgrades, not marketing.
The most important truth about MSFS hardware
Great flying does not come from expensive equipment.
It comes from:
- Practice
- Smooth control habits
- Understanding aircraft behaviour
- Calm, consistent inputs
Hardware supports skill.
It never replaces it.
Simple starter setup that works beautifully
A perfectly good beginner setup is:
- One quality joystick
- Optional rudder pedals later
- Carefully tuned sensitivity curves
This alone can provide years of satisfying flying.
Final thought
The goal of controls and hardware is not to impress anyone.
It is to make flying feel natural, smooth, and enjoyable.
When the aircraft responds gently and predictably to your hands,
the simulator stops feeling like software
and starts feeling like real flight.
And that is where true immersion begins.
Next article: MSFS 2024 Graphics Settings Guide