Project X-Ray Flight Deck: a compact aviation gamepad for fans of Microsoft Flight Simulator

Fans of realistic flight simulators know how difficult it is to control a virtual plane without additional equipment. Many switches are difficult to fit on a standard gamepad, and playing with a keyboard robs the process of realism. Special aviation rudders take up a lot of desk space and are expensive. The American brand of game accessories PowerA together with the start-up Meridian GMT created a solution to this problem – a specialized wireless controller Project X-Ray Flight Deck, fully optimized for Microsoft Flight Simulator.

Project X-Ray Flight Deck is a first-of-its-kind hybrid controller designed specifically for civil and military aviation enthusiasts. The creators position it as a more compact, affordable and convenient alternative to professional flight systems (HOTAS) and full-fledged rudders.

Features and design

As a basis, the developers took the familiar ergonomics of the standard Xbox controller. The gadget received a recognizable body shape, a left analog stick, a traditional Xbox Guide button and a block of ABXY keys on the right side. However, the rest of the device has undergone radical changes. The design includes specialized physical controls that turn the gamepad into a portable pilot’s cockpit. The body is made in a matte style with an emphasis on the high wear resistance of all toggle switches and switches.

Functional features of the gamepad

The Project X-Ray Flight Deck’s controls include a number of unique physical controls rarely found on portable devices:

• Specialized mechanical engine control lever (thrust);
• Airliner landing gear and flap switches;
• Rotary analog trimmer regulator;
• A block of dedicated buttons for quick control of the autopilot (located in the place of the classic cross);
• Buttons for quickly turning on the landing lights and radio frequency settings.

In addition, the published teaser indicates the modularity of the right part of the controller. Players will be able to physically change the controls, adapting the layout for piloting helicopters or civilian aircraft of different classes.

Differences from a regular controller

The main difference between the novelty and standard solutions for consoles is the full integration of the aviation layout without the need to use keys. Instead of analog triggers and crosshairs, real triggers are used with a stroke similar to elements of a real aircraft cockpit. In addition, Project X-Ray Flight Deck is fully licensed by Microsoft, making it perfectly compatible “out of the box” with Xbox Series X game consoles, Xbox One, and the Windows operating system on PC.

Release date and price

The exact date of the start of official sales of the wireless gamepad has not been announced by the manufacturers at the moment. At the current stage, Project X-Ray Flight Deck is in the phase of active design and refinement. Fans of the brand can leave their contact details on the official PowerA promo site to be notified when the device hits the shelves.

At the time of the official announcement, the retail price of the gamepad was not announced by the developers. Given the premium design with moving mechanical parts and the presence of an official Xbox license, the device will most likely be more expensive than standard branded controllers, but still significantly cheaper than professional floor helms and pedal systems.

If you run flight simulators from time to time in arcade mode, the functionality of this controller will seem redundant. But for real enthusiastic pilots of Microsoft Flight Simulator on PC and Xbox consoles, this device will be a unique solution. This is the first gadget on the market that will allow full-fledged integrated control of the aircraft, sitting on a comfortable sofa at home.