Flight Stick · X-Plane 12
Thrustmaster T.16000M FCS HOTAS
- Budget
- Hall-effect sensors
- PC
- 9 axes · 30 buttons
X-Plane 12 Performance Score
- Sensors35% 100
- Throttle & Rudder29% 100
- Build Quality18% 50
- Adjustability18% 57
Biggest contributor: sensors (35% of the score), rated 100/100. How we score
Verdict for X-Plane 12
The Thrustmaster T.16000M FCS HOTAS suits X-Plane 12 pilots who want a Hall-effect stick and a proper throttle, with a grip that works for either hand and 30 buttons. The trade-off is plastic parts and a fixed stick spring.
Updated October 2026
Pros & Cons for X-Plane 12
Strengths
- Thrustmaster's H.E.A.R.T Hall-effect sensors read pitch and roll with magnets, so the stick holds center when you trim out the climb and doesn't drift after months of flying.
- The throttle is its own unit with an 80 mm rail and adjustable friction, so you can set climb power and know it will stay there while you work the radios.
- The stick flips for left or right hand, and the throttle has a port for Thrustmaster's rudder pedals, so a left hander or a captain-side Airbus pilot gets a full setup that grows.
Trade-offs
- The stick's spring tension is fixed, so you can't soften it for helicopters or firm it for heavy jets; the step up in price is where adjustable tension comes in.
- It's plastic, and the twist rudder is a stopgap next to pedals when you're holding the centerline in a gusty crosswind.
Full Specifications
- Sensors
- Hall effect (contactless)
- Throttle
- Its own throttle unit
- Rudder
- Twist grip
- Grip
- Either hand (ambidextrous)
- Spring tension
- Fixed
- Build
- Plastic
- Axes
- 9
- Buttons
- 30
- Works on
- PC
- Released
- 2016
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this a good Flight Stick for X-Plane 12?
Yes, it scores 83.6/100 for X-Plane 12 and suits most pilots moving up from a gamepad. It shines on hand-flown approaches, where the Hall-effect center and the separate throttle help most. It shows its limits in the fixed spring and plastic build.
Is it worth the price for X-Plane 12?
For the money you get contactless sensors, a separate throttle with friction control and an ambidextrous grip, where cheaper sets give up the sensors. The same set with pedals in the box costs more.
Which platforms does it work on?
It works with X-Plane 12 on a Windows PC, and Thrustmaster lists X-Plane 11 and 12 among its games. On a Mac or Linux, Thrustmaster offers no support and its software needs Windows; X-Plane reads USB sticks itself, but check before you buy for those.
Do I need rudder pedals with it?
Not at first, because the stick twists for rudder. When you add pedals, plug them into the throttle's port, assign yaw to them and set the twist axis to none.
How should I configure this in X-Plane 12?
Calibrate both units in X-Plane's joystick settings, assign pitch, roll, yaw and throttle, and set unused axes to none. Soften Control Sensitivity if pitch feels twitchy, and set the throttle friction so it stays put.