The Echo Aviation Controller looks like a game changer for simulation pilots

I'm an avid enjoyer of Microsoft Flight Simulator on my PC. I love taking in the sights of various cities across the world, and while I have a couple of different HOTAS setups, I don't have my own simulator rig to be a permanent fixture in my home and sometimes, I look at those peripherals and decide I just don't want to set them up. It's the minor annoyance of having them for a true flight experience.

Honeycomb Aeronautical has recognized that it can be a pain to set those up, but also that console players should have a better experience themselves.

Enter the Echo Aviation Controller, a truly unique controller that has all of the necessary controls and functions in the palm of your hands.

It isn't every day that you see an accessory come out that makes you do a double take, but look at this glorious controller. To have all of the throttle, flaps, brakes and rudder controls right there is fantastic. 

The controller is fully compatible for Microsoft Flight Simulator, so I'm already intrigued. There is a mention that other flight simulation software is compatible but nothing concrete beyond MSFS.

This appears to be truly a plug-and-play experience with little to no setup needed. If that's the case, there will be a lot more pilots taking to the skies with a better experience. I love that the rudder controllers are not bound to shoulder buttons but, instead, on the reverse side of the controller itself. The controller also comes with swappable buttons/levers for color coding for some customization options.

The Echo Aviation Controller will be available soon at an MSRP of $149.99.

The original press release is as follows:

Schwerte, Germany – November 18, 2025 – Honeycomb® Aeronautical, a leading name in professional-grade flight simulation hardware, announced today the Echo Aviation Controller, a unique new controller designed specifically for flight simulation on PC, and expected to begin shipping mid-December 2025.

A new way to fly from the comfort of your couch, the Echo Aviation Controller crams a cockpit into a controller, offering aviation enthusiasts a fully-fledged simulation experience without the need for a full array of specialist flight simulation hardware.

Fully compatible with Microsoft® Flight Simulator™ on PC, as well as other flight simulation software, the Echo Aviation Controller is no mere regular gamepad, offering an astonishing range of nuanced controls in a controller footprint, which allows for quick, effortless flight wherever you choose to take to the skies.

Combining pitch, roll, yaw, throttle, trim and core aircraft systems, the Echo Aviation Controller offers total control with no separate hardware required! The precision analog Thumbstick for pitch and roll provides smooth responsive movement, delivering full elevator and aileron input, while the integrated four Throttle Levers and Trim Wheel are all independently assignable, accommodating both single and multi-engine aircraft.

Featuring a specialised Rudder Paddle System, the Echo Aviation Controller features rear paddles which move in opposition to accurately simulate rudder input, providing exceptionally realistic control with no need for external pedals.

All essential flight controls sit at the users’ fingertips during flight. Physical controls for landing gear, flaps and parking brake streamline the flight experience, eliminating the need for complex keyboard mapping and finally allowing ‘no compromise’ control in a single compact controller.

The Honeycomb Aeronautical Echo Aviation Controller Features:

• Complete Flight Control in One Device
  Echo combines pitch, roll, yaw, throttle, trim, and core aircraft systems into a single, streamlined PC controller — no separate peripherals required.

• Precision Analog Stick for Pitch & Roll
  Smooth, responsive Thumbstick delivers full elevator and aileron input for total aircraft control.

• Four Throttle Levers & Trim Wheel
  Independently Assignable Throttle Levers accommodate single and multi-engine aircraft. The integrated Trim Wheel provides continuous in-flight adjustment.

• Rudder Paddle System
  Rear paddles move in opposition to simulate rudder input — providing realistic yaw control without external pedals.

• Essential Systems at Your Fingertips
  Physical controls for landing gear, flaps, and parking brake streamline your flight experience and reduce reliance on keyboard mapping.

• Compact, Desk-Friendly Design
  The Echo Aviation Controller delivers full control in a clean, minimal footprint — ideal for simmers with limited space or those building a portable setup.
  
  

Marc Küpper, CTO for Honeycomb Aeronautical commented, "Honeycomb Aeronautical strives to continually innovate, and we’re proud to serve the simulation community with best-in-class hardware. Our continued strategy not only includes a focus on expanding our range, but also in growing our addressable audience via products which reduce the barrier of entry associated with flight simulation. Enthusiasts no longer need a full rig of hardware, and the new Echo Aviation Controller is the ideal entry into flight simulation. The ease of use, plug-and-play nature of the controller, will, we believe, continue to grow our brand through 2026 and beyond.”

The Echo Aviation Controller will also be available to purchase across the globe at the Honeycomb Aeronautical webshop mid-December 2025 for € 149.99 / $ 149.99 / £ 129.99. No travel agent required.

For more information on Honeycomb Aeronautical, please visit: www.flyhoneycomb.com. 

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