FlightSim.Com Reviews: PFC Cirrus Jet Yoke

Cirrus Jet Yoke from Precision Flight Controls

By FlightSim.Com Staff (16 February 2000)

have not yet reviewed the tool that is the basis for almost every product I evaluate! Shame on me! Precision Flight Controls has done it again! Three years ago I reviewed the standard Cirrus Yoke. If you read that review you'll know it was the best yoke on the market. Now there is a newer lineup of yokes to choose from and I ended up with the Jet Yoke, modeled after a Saab 340 Turboprop.

The Cirrus Jet Yoke is the best feeling yoke I've used during any flight simulation. This unit has programmable rocker thumb switches and buttons easily located at the top of each hand bar. In addition, it comes with a Cessna style throttle. Yes, it is a jet yoke and I wish it were a "Piper style" throttle at least, but after a few minutes pass, you'll not really notice the "knob".

INSTALLATION

It's easy as plugging it in and connecting whatever pedals you may have to the Y-cable. The Jet Yoke uses the CH Products F-16 Fighterstick drivers and programmability. Once you plug it in, install these drivers and then calibrate via Windows. Once you have done this successfully, you should be all set for a long time. Even though the yoke is "bungy cord" driven and has no real stiff center, calibration is easy. As you'll feel, it is far more realistic and resistant than your average yoke or joystick.

USING THE YOKE

The butter-like smoothness is second to none. The first two seconds you use the yoke, you'll know you "ain't" goin' back to anything less. You've gone up to first class and have a sudden urge to not use the autopilot! All axes move with perfect freedom and harmony. The throttle is as smooth as any. I primarily fly jets and for that, the natural "under-sensitivity" you'll get with this yoke is a real treat! Anyone that has put their hands on this yoke usually utters some type of "wow". Flying on a yoke like this is a far cry from anything the normal joystick lot can offer. In fact, if you've ever thought flightsims were too sensitive right out of the box, you'd be in for a surprise. The heavy construction of this yoke will give you confidence during crosswind landings and sudden maneuvers. In addition, the yoke is built into the main piece and is designed to hold the weight of your monitor or other equipment. My monitor is heavy enough to hold the yoke firmly on my tabletop.

The programmable rocker switches come in handy for elevator trimming, wheel braking, reverse thrust and view changing. At least that's what I use mine for in FS2000 and FLY!. The feel of each button press is a delight.

I have used the Jet Yoke for 9 months now and during this time period I discovered one flaw. The throttle, when near or at idle hits the back of the right handle when the yoke is aimed to the right. The throttle impacts the rear button. During the calibration routine or during a right-hand crosswind landing with power near idle, the throttle and the button will hit each other. Eventually my button lost the battle, and snapped off. It's innards came out. It was horrific to see at 37,000 feet. Being a non-electrical kind of guy, I had no choice but to forgo the button and replace its hole with a piece of black tape. It was a sad moment.

CONCLUSION

The design flaw with the throttle hitting the button is certainly one that will effect you. The Jet Yoke is not cheap. Is it worth the $595 price tag? Absolutely. There is no competition other than the AETI Airliner Style Yoke which is built by Precision Flight Controls as well, and is basically the same yoke with some minor changes. Please see our review on that unit here.

To purchase a Precision Flight Controls product of any kind is a long term investment that is going to give you many years of heavy duty, ultra precise flying hours. You can not fairly compare this to any $100 joystick or yoke. When the time comes to either build yourself a professional cockpit in your home or treat yourself to a little something special - get the Cirrus Jet Yoke. Unless the crew of the next airliner you ride on doesn't mind you taking a haxsaw into their cockpit, you have no choice!

The Precision Flight Controls Cirrus Jet Yoke gets a 96 out of 100. I did take 4 points off for my broken button!

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