You're a fan of Microsoft flight simulators, and that means you're a stickler for details. Thrustmaster is on your side, not only creating the ultimate combat HOTAS flight stick, including A-10C Warthog, F-16C, and F/A-18C replicas, but also entering the commercial aviation arena with its new Airbus partnership. If you're looking for a long flight in the next generation MS Flight Sim release, you can use the TCA Sidestick Airbus Edition, a stick based on the iconic A320.

Inspired by the A320 design rather than a replica, the original base is not available this time.

Whereas the A320's actual flight stick only provides a bit of axis control, the new Thrustmaster Civil Aviation (TCA) stick has two triggers (you have to do that with a PC joystick, right?), a hat switch, and additional additional top button. The base also has a mini throttle for a bit of control.

Additionally, 12 buttons are placed on the pale airbus blue base, eliminating the need for an additional throttle block.

The Sidestick is the first product in the TCA series, but Thrustmaster plans to release a TCA quadrant at a later date that will offer even more buttons and a dual throttle arrangement. The stick will be available on June 25, and the throttle on September 24.

After that, one can also get the TCA Quadrant add-on unit, which replicates the A320's brake and flap controls. No official release date for this set has been set yet, though.

Earlier this week, we got our first taste of civil aviation when Thrustmaster unveiled samples of its new controls: the Star Wars Squadrons and Elites, which will be released in October; the Elite:. Dangerous" may not have the speed required for the small craft, but they are clearly built for smooth, controlled flight.

Stick travel is firm, with definite resistance, not stiff, but strong enough to keep it from throwing from one extreme to the other on any axis. However, this is an early sample we tested, so we will reserve judgment until the final units are available for sale.

Flight Sim X was a nightmare on my system, so I tried flying the larger Elite instead. Gliding over the surface of a planet or slowly passing through the port of a spinning space station was a silky experience with this solid control stick. But flipping like a BSG Viper in combat was hardly what the TCA Sidestick Airbus Edition was made for.

Its real-time flight from San Francisco to Hong Kong was probably more significant.

In other words, while not necessarily replacing my beloved Thrustmaster Warthog HOTAS, the gorgeous and realistic new MS Flight Simulator is probably the best bet for a true practical Airbus aesthetic.