Joystick Technologies Inc. subsidiary CH Products plans to release a USB version of its Virtual Pilot Pro flight simulator yoke controller. The controller is coming next month, and will be compatible with various flavors of Mac OS and Windows.
The controller is modeled after the yoke controls found on civilian aircraft, rather than a fighter-style joystick. It features an 8-way POV (or “hat”) switch; an auto-centering detent function that returns the handle to its center position when released; six single-fire buttons and one four-way hat switch; elevator and aileron trim controls; adjustable clamps; a seven-foot USB cable and more.
The Virtual Pilot Pro for USB works with Macs equipped with Mac OS 8.1 or higher with InputSprocket 1.7.x installed. The controller has been tested with Mac OS X as well, according to CH Products, though support for the controller will depend on individual application’s support for HID Manager, Mac OS X’s input technology.
CH Products offers the Virtual Pilot Pro with a 3-year warranty. It ships on September 1, 2003 for US$109.95; pre-orders are now being accepted.