HOTAS & Flight Stick Tester
Flight sticks and HOTAS setups have far more inputs than a normal controller: stick axes, a twist rudder, a throttle, hat switches and many buttons. This tester shows all of them live, so you can check each one works before you start flying.
It's useful for new setups, checking a second-hand stick, or finding out why a game isn't picking up an axis.
HOTAS & Flight Stick Tester
Test multi-device flight controls, throttle levers, rudder pedals, 8-way POV hats and detect axis jitter.
Connect your flight stick, throttle or rudder pedals and move any axis.
How to use it
- Connect your flight stick, throttle and any rudder pedals.
- Press any button so the page detects each device.
- Move the stick in every direction and twist it if it has a twist rudder.
- Move the throttle from fully back to fully forward.
- Press every hat switch direction and every button.
- Let go of the stick and check it returns to centre.
What your results mean
What to check:
Input Healthy result
Stick axes Smooth movement from edge to edge, near 0 at rest
Twist rudder Full range both ways, returns to 0
Throttle Smooth from 0 to 100% with no jumps
Hat switches Each direction registers once
Buttons Every button lights up when pressed
Common faults
What you see Likely cause
Axis jumps or jitters Dirty or worn sensor
Stick doesn't return to 0 Worn centring spring or drift
Throttle stuck at a value Throttle axis not detected or a loose cable
Hat shows two directions at once Worn hat switch contacts
Some HOTAS sets show up as two separate devices (stick and throttle). Both appear on this page.
What HOTAS means
HOTAS stands for "hands on throttle and stick". It's a layout taken from real aircraft, with the throttle in one hand and the flight stick in the other, so every important control is within reach without letting go.
Flight and space games use the extra axes and buttons for things like rudder, trim and targeting, which is why a HOTAS has many more inputs to check than a normal controller.
Understanding every input on a HOTAS
A HOTAS has many more inputs than a normal controller, and each type behaves differently. Axes report a range of values, buttons are simply on or off, and hat switches report a direction. Knowing which is which makes the test results much easier to read.
The table lists the inputs you'll usually find and what they do in flight and space games.
Input Type Typical use
Stick X and Y Axis Roll and pitch
Stick twist Axis Rudder or yaw
Throttle Axis Engine power or speed
Rotary dials and sliders Axis Trim, zoom, radar range
Hat switches Direction Looking around, menus, targeting
Triggers and buttons Button Weapons, landing gear, flaps
Checking for jitter and spikes
Leave the stick and throttle completely still and watch each axis. A healthy axis holds a steady value. If the number keeps flickering, or jumps suddenly to another value and back, the sensor or its cable may be failing.
Jitter matters more on a HOTAS than on a gamepad, because flight games often use the full precision of the axis. A twitchy throttle can make your speed vary, and a jittery stick can make steady flight impossible.
Testing the full range of each axis
Move each axis slowly from one end to the other. The value should change smoothly and reach both ends. A spot where it jumps or stops changing usually means wear on the sensor at that point, which is common on throttles that are always set to the same position.
If an axis doesn't reach its full range, recalibrate it first. On Windows, the Game Controllers panel (search for "Set up USB game controllers") has a calibration option, and many HOTAS makers have their own software too.
Hat switches that don't register diagonals
Hat switches can report eight directions, but some only register four, and some register diagonals only when pressed carefully. Press each diagonal on every hat and check the test picks it up.
If a hat that used to work now misses directions, dirt or a worn contact is the usual cause. Many hats can be cleaned, but this means opening the stick, so check whether that affects your warranty first.
Using more than one device
Many setups use a separate stick, throttle and rudder pedals. Each connects as its own device, and this page shows each one separately so you can test them all. Games then let you assign inputs from different devices to different controls.
If one device doesn't appear, try a different USB port, preferably one directly on the computer rather than a hub. Some HOTAS sets draw more power than an unpowered hub can provide.
Mapping your HOTAS in games
Once every input works here, set up your controls in the game itself. Most flight and space games let you assign axes by moving the control you want, which is quick once you know each axis is working.
If a control moves the wrong way in a game, look for an invert option next to it. If two inputs seem to do the same thing, check the game hasn't assigned one axis to two controls.
Throttles with detents
Some throttles have detents, small bumps that mark points like idle or afterburner. As you move the throttle through a detent, the value should keep changing smoothly. If the reading jumps at the detent, the sensor near that point may be wearing.
Note the value at each detent. Some games let you set exactly where idle and afterburner begin, so these numbers help you line the game up with the physical throttle.
Browser limits
Browsers can show most HOTAS inputs, but some devices have more buttons or axes than a browser reports, and some inputs, like mode switches, aren't seen at all. If an input is missing here but works in a game, the browser is the limit, not the hardware.
For a full check of every input, the Windows Game Controllers panel or the manufacturer's software can show what the browser can't.
Twist rudder versus pedals
Many flight sticks have a twist axis for rudder control. It's convenient, but some players find it imprecise and switch to rudder pedals. If you use pedals, you can turn off the twist axis in your game to avoid accidental rudder input.
Check the twist axis here for jitter and centring. A twist axis that doesn't return to centre causes the aircraft to drift sideways.
Spring tension and centring
Most flight sticks use springs to return to centre. Over time, springs can weaken, so the stick doesn't centre accurately. Watch the X and Y values after letting go of the stick: they should return close to centre every time.
If the stick doesn't centre properly, a small deadzone in the game helps. Some sticks let you replace or adjust the springs.
Using a HOTAS in space games
Space games often use a HOTAS differently from flight games. The throttle may control forward speed, while strafing uses extra axes or hats. Check every axis and hat works before setting up a space game, since you'll likely use more of them.
Firmware and software updates
Many HOTAS makers release firmware and software updates that fix bugs and improve calibration. Check the maker's website for updates if you notice problems.
After updating, test every input again here to make sure nothing has changed.
Buying a used HOTAS
Before buying a second-hand HOTAS, test every axis for jitter and full range, press every button and every direction on each hat, and check the stick centres properly. Ask whether the original software and any extra parts, like additional springs, are included.
Throttles that have been used heavily often have worn spots at common positions. Move the throttle slowly through its whole range and watch for jumps.
Throttle curves in games
Many games let you set a curve for each axis, changing how the input maps to the game. A flatter curve near the centre makes small stick movements more precise, which helps with steady flight. Set curves in the game after checking here that the raw axis is working properly.
Common problems
Check the cable between stick and throttle, or plug the throttle in separately if it has its own USB.
Some browsers report hat switches as a single axis. The page still shows its direction.
Frequently asked questions
Which flight sticks work?
Any USB flight stick, HOTAS or rudder pedals your browser detects.
Can I calibrate here?
This page tests. Calibration is done in Windows' game controller settings or the manufacturer's software.
Why does my HOTAS show as several controllers?
The stick, throttle and pedals are often separate devices. Each appears on its own.
Do I need drivers for my HOTAS?
Most work without them, but the maker's software adds calibration and extra features.
Can I test rudder pedals here?
Yes. They appear as a separate device with their own axes.
Why is an axis reversed?
Some devices report it that way. Invert it in the game settings.
Is jitter fixable?
Sometimes, with cleaning or recalibration. Persistent jitter usually means a worn sensor.
Can I test a HOTAS on a Mac?
Yes, if macOS recognises it. Some devices have fewer features without their Windows software.