Having already released their Pro Flight Rudder Pedals and X52 Pro (reviewed here and here respectively), Saitek sets out to complete their digital cockpit experience with the Pro Flight Yoke System which includes not only a fully-featured yoke but also a throttle quadrant. With a back-lit LCD display mounted in the center and plenty of rocker switches and buttons, the Pro Flight Yoke System is no slouch, but add in the Pro Flight Throttle Quadrant and you've got one of the most appealing controllers out there civilian aircraft simulation.

Upon opening the Pro Flight Yoke System's large box, you'll immediately be struck by how little there is in the box - not that the yoke and quadrant aren't large, but there are only 4 main parts and a driver CD inside. Thankfully that means that there isn't a lot of assembly required, and it takes less than 5 minutes to get both devices set up. Getting both the yoke and quadrant mounted on your desk is quick thanks to the vice-like screw assembly that locks them into place. It would be nice if there was a quick release on these clamps like we've seen in some racing wheel peripherals, but the current implementation is sufficient and keep the Pro Flight Yoke System in place.

Despite being 2 devices, the Pro Flight Yoke System only uses a single USB port as they get daisy-chained together before connecting to your computer. You'll also find a USB hub on the side of the yoke's base, which makes it perfect to connect any other flight sim accessories like a joystick and pedals. Getting them working with your favorite flight sim is as simple as running the installation disc and connecting the USB cable. Flight Simulator X recognized all of the Pro Flight Yoke System's components and made it a breeze to configure levers for throttle, flaps, and even prop angle.

Taking flight with the Pro Flight Yoke System felt extremely intuitive and definitely made the civilian aircraft experience much more realistic than a joystick and throttle combo. The three levers give you unparalleled control over engine systems, and with other a dozen programmable buttons you'll be hard pressed find functions for all of them. Should you actually manage to find a use for every button on the Pro Flight Yoke System, it supports up to 3 different modes that can be switched on the fly essentially tripling the number of functions that can be assigned. I dare you to keep track of that many buttons.

The yoke itself has a good amount of tension and has a perfect range of motion. I have no complaints about the quadrants levers either, as they work great for throttle and flaps control, even without a range of detents (there is one at 0% on each lever). Interestingly enough, below the detents you'll find "buttons" on each lever that are best used for functions like reversing engine thrust when landing. I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the LCD in the center of the yoke that serves primarily as a navigation tool. No, it's not a GPS display. It's for those times when you're simulating a plane without GPS and need to keep your own navigation the old fashioned way. Personally I never found myself needing it as I always use the GPS in Flight Simulator X, but it's an interesting feature nonetheless and hopefully some crafty modders come up with some more applications for the LCD display in the near future.

Besides the obvious thought that went into the features and layout of the Pro Flight Yoke System, the style also got some attention. The more subdued look (compared to other flashy Saitek accessories) is perfect for the type of gamer that will be simulating civilian aircraft and matches their Pro Flight Rudder Pedals well. The bases on both devices are solid and everything felt like it was constructed well, even if they are made of lightweight plastics. In fact the yoke felt so sturdy at first that I had to double check that it doesn't have force-feedback packed inside - it doesn't.

At $149.95 the Pro Flight Yoke System's price tag is nothing to scoff at, but flight sim fans are used to this sort of premium by now. Hopefully with Saitek now competing against CH and other companies across their full range of products, we'll eventually see some great new innovations as well as lower prices, but for now it remains a niche genre with boutique prices. Though most gamers are probably better off with the X52 Pro for their aviation needs, those select few that take joy in carting a 747 full of passengers between New York and London instead of shooting down Stukas will definitely want to consider the Pro Flight Yoke System. It's not often that a company's debut into a product category (in this case yokes) is so refined, but based on their track record maybe we should come to expect it from Saitek.