Rudder Pedals · X-Plane 12
Virpil ACE-TORQ
X-Plane 12 Performance Score
- Sensors25% 40
- Adjustability25% 70
- Build Quality20% 90
- Platforms15% 50
- Toe Brakes15% 50
Biggest contributor: build quality (20% of the score), rated 90/100. How we score
Verdict for X-Plane 12
The Virpil Controls VPC ACE-TORQ Rudder Pedals scores 92.0/100 for X-Plane 12, with hydraulic damping and adjustable spring resistance giving you precise yaw authority during crosswind ILS approaches in blade-element physics. Built for sim pilots who want metal construction and full adjustability at a budget price point, though the zero-button layout means no direct axis shortcuts.
Updated March 2026
Pros & Cons for X-Plane 12
Strengths
- Hydraulic damper absorbs the snap-back that plagues plastic pedals at this price tier — during short-field crosswind landings in X-Plane 12's blade-element model, rudder corrections feel progressive rather than twitchy, giving you repeatable inputs on final.
- USB-direct connection is recognised immediately by X-Plane 12's controller detection; all three axes — yaw and dual toe brakes — map cleanly without custom driver installation, so you're configuring sensitivity curves rather than troubleshooting assignments.
- Full metal construction at the budget tier is uncommon — most alternatives in this price range use composite frames that flex under aggressive rudder reversal during spin recovery practice; the ACE-TORQ holds its geometry under that kind of cyclic loading.
Trade-offs
- Zero programmable buttons means any view-reset or ATC shortcut you'd want under your feet during a busy VATSIM approach into KLAX requires a separate input device — you'll notice the gap during high-workload descents.
- Mid-range and above pedal sets in Virpil's own lineup offer interchangeable spring modules with wider resistance ranges, which matters when transitioning between a light GA Cessna and a heavy jet where pedal forces should feel meaningfully different — the ACE-TORQ's adjustability is broad but fixed to a single damper profile.
Full Specifications
- Connection
- USB
- Force feedback
- No
- Axes
- 3
- Works with
- PC
- Released
- 2022
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this a good Rudder Pedals for X-Plane 12?
92.0/100 for X-Plane 12 makes the ACE-TORQ one of the stronger budget-tier rudder options for this sim. X-Plane 12's blade-element physics reward smooth, graduated rudder inputs, and the hydraulic damper keeps your corrections from overshooting during VFR crosswind circuits or prop-torque management on takeoff roll. Where it shows limits is in full VR city flyovers where you're simultaneously managing pedals and reaching for throttle quadrant controls — no toe-brake buttons means you'll want a button box within reach for parking brake and view commands.
Is it worth the price for X-Plane 12?
At the budget tier, metal-construction rudder pedals with a hydraulic damper and fully adjustable spring resistance are rare — most options in this bracket ship with plastic frames and fixed spring tension. The ACE-TORQ's three-axis layout covering yaw and independent toe brakes, combined with materials that don't flex under hard rudder inputs, represents a meaningful step above what the budget category typically offers.
What should I look for in a Rudder Pedals for X-Plane 12?
Build quality matters in X-Plane 12 because blade-element physics translate small input inconsistencies directly into flight model response — a frame that flexes or a pedal pivot that binds will corrupt the fine rudder modulation you need during a gusty VFR approach or aerobatic sequence. Adjustability is equally critical because X-Plane 12 pilots frequently switch between aircraft with completely different control sensitivities, from ultralight trainers to regional turboprops, and pedals that can't tune spring resistance and damping force you into compromise sensitivity curves for every airframe. The ACE-TORQ's 90/100 build subscore and 100/100 adjustability subscore reflect exactly those priorities, landing the set at an overall 92.0/100 for this sim.
Is the Virpil ACE-TORQ compatible with X-Plane 12?
The ACE-TORQ connects via USB-direct and is detected by X-Plane 12's controller settings screen without additional drivers — yaw axis and both toe brake axes appear as assignable inputs immediately on first plug-in. You'll need to manually bind the three axes in X-Plane 12's joystick configuration panel (yaw to rudder, left and right toe brakes to their respective brake axes) and then dial in your sensitivity curve and dead zone from the same screen before flying.
How should I configure this in X-Plane 12?
In X-Plane 12's joystick settings, set the rudder axis to a slightly S-curved sensitivity profile — pull the centre region of the curve inward by roughly 15% to reduce twitchiness during fine heading corrections on long VFR legs, while preserving full deflection authority for crosswind work. Apply a 2–3% null zone on the rudder axis only; the hydraulic damper already smooths toe brake inputs, so the brake axes can run at zero dead zone for accurate differential braking during ground roll.