Thrustmaster Airbus Add-On Grip (PC)

Does the Thrustmaster Airbus Add-On Grip include a joystick base?

No. This is the grip only, and it cannot be used on its own. You need a compatible Thrustmaster joystick base, sold separately, before the grip will do anything at all. This is the single most common reason an add-on grip gets returned, so please confirm which base you own before ordering.

Which joystick bases does the Airbus Add-On Grip fit?

It mounts on the Thrustmaster Sol-R, HOTAS Warthog MKII and AVA bases. AVA bases need firmware 2.07 or newer, which arrives with T.A.R.G.E.T. version 3.0.25.127_rev1 or later, a free download from Thrustmaster. The original HOTAS Warthog base has limited compatibility through the Warthog Converter, which is also sold separately. PilotMall carries a full range of flight sim controls. Check out our Thrustmaster flight sim controls collection for compatible bases.

What platforms does it work with?

PC only, running Windows 10 or Windows 11. Thrustmaster does not offer an Xbox or a PlayStation version of this grip, and it will not work on a console.

Which base should I buy with this?

PilotMall stocks two compatible bases. The Thrustmaster SOL-R 4 HOTAS Advanced Flight Simulation System is in the catalog now and takes the grip directly. The Thrustmaster HOTAS Warthog MKII Stick and Throttle is a new release arriving September 16, 2026, and it takes the grip directly as well. Neither one needs the Warthog Converter that the original HOTAS Warthog base requires. We do not stock the AVA base, so if you want that one you will need to source it elsewhere.

Is this the same thing as the Thrustmaster TCA Sidestick X Airbus Edition?

No, and the two are easy to confuse. The Thrustmaster TCA Sidestick X Airbus Edition is a complete, self contained controller with its own base. The Airbus Add-On Grip is a grip alone, built for Thrustmaster's modular joystick bases, and it is a 1:1 scale replica of the Airbus sidestick.

Is the grip left handed or right handed?

It is shaped for the captain's left hand, matching the left seat position on a real Airbus flight deck. It is a single handed grip and it is not ambidextrous, so plan on mounting it to the left of your seating position.

How many buttons and axes does it have?

5 buttons and 4 axes, plus a dual mode trigger that can be assigned as either a button or an axis. That gives you a trigger that acts as a switch in one aircraft and as a proportional control in another, with no hardware change.

What is H.E.A.R.T. and where is it used on this grip?

H.E.A.R.T. stands for HallEffect AccuRate Technology, Thrustmaster's contactless magnetic sensing system. On this grip it reads the Z axis and the mini stick at 16 bit resolution. Because nothing physically touches, those axes hold their accuracy without drifting.

Can I turn off the twist axis?

Yes. The native Z axis twist has an integrated mechanical lock, so it can be disabled completely. That is worth doing if you fly with rudder pedals, because it stops an unintended wrist rotation from commanding yaw.

What is the A400M module for?

The grip is modular. The included A400M module and removable button cover let you convert it between an A300 series airliner layout and an A400M military transport layout, so one grip covers both civil and military Airbus flying.

Can I remap the buttons and axes?

Yes. The grip is fully programmable with T.A.R.G.E.T., Thrustmaster's free programming software for Windows. You can build a separate profile for each aircraft, or one for each of the two button layouts.

What comes in the box, and how big is the grip?

The box contains the Airbus Add-On Grip, one A400M module, one button cover and a warranty information flyer. The grip itself measures 3.1 inches wide by 3.3 inches deep by 7.7 inches high, 78 by 83 by 195 mm, and weighs 203 g (0.45 lb).