Flight Training Materials & Flight Simulator Gear

Becoming a pilot rewards two kinds of practice: studying before a checkride and rehearsing the flying in a home cockpit. This hub keeps both close at hand, pairing FAA knowledge test prep and oral exam guides from ASA, Gleim, and Jeppesen with the yokes, joysticks, throttle quadrants, and pedals that build a practice cockpit.

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Not sure where to start your first rig? Our buyer's guide to the best flight simulator yokes, pedals, and controls weighs the options, and the broader flight simulator equipment collection holds the panels and add-ons to grow into. Free U.S. shipping over $100.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Is a yoke or a joystick better for a flight simulator?

It depends on what you fly. A yoke best matches general aviation aircraft and Boeing-style airliners that use a control wheel, while a joystick or sidestick suits Airbus fly-by-wire jets, fighters, and aerobatic flying. Pick the control that mirrors the real cockpit you want to practice in.

Do I need rudder pedals for a flight simulator?

You can fly without them using a twist-grip joystick, but rudder pedals are the single biggest realism upgrade. They give you proper yaw control for coordinated turns and crosswind landings, plus toe brakes for taxiing, and they build the foot-and-hand muscle memory that transfers to real flying.

What is HOTAS in flight simulation?

HOTAS stands for hands on throttle and stick. It is a setup that places all the key flight controls and switches on the joystick and throttle so you never take your hands off them. HOTAS rigs are most popular for flying fighters, warbirds, and other fast military jets in the sim.

What controls do I need to start a home flight simulator?

A solid starter cockpit is a yoke or joystick, a throttle, and a set of rudder pedals. Many beginners choose a yoke and throttle quadrant with matching pedals, or a bundle that pairs the controls with simulator software so the setup decisions are already made.

Does a flight simulator help with real flight training?

Yes. A home simulator is an excellent way to learn procedures, instrument scans, and checklist flows before you fly them in the airplane, which can shorten the learning curve. Home setups are not FAA-approved devices, so practice time does not log toward a certificate, but the procedural reinforcement is real.

What books do I need to study for the private pilot written test?

Start with a knowledge test prep book plus the official FAA Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge, then add an oral exam guide and a current FAR/AIM. The three main publishers are Gleim (focused, test-driven prep), ASA (broad test prep, oral guides, and FAR/AIM), and Jeppesen (structured course curricula used by flight schools). Many pilots combine titles from more than one.

Aviation Training Guides and Flight Sim Resources

From choosing your first flight simulator setup to picking the right study materials for your checkride, our expert guides have you covered.