The arrival of Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 on the Sony PlayStation 5 is big news for sim pilots long tied to PC and Xbox flying only. Officially launching on Monday, December 8, 2025 (with Early Access from December 3 for Deluxe/Premium/Aviator editions) on PlayStation 5. For fans of global flight, cloud-streaming scenery and deeply detailed aircraft systems, the move to PlayStation marks an exciting expansion — but with it comes important caveats: what controllers work, how good is the experience, and which PS5 model gives you the best ride?
Quick summary
- If you want best performance and future-proofing, the Sony PlayStation 5 Pro is the top pick; standard/slim PS5 is still viable if on a budget.
- At launch on PS5 your officially supported hardware is limited: the DualSense controller and the Thrustmaster T.Flight HOTAS 4 (and its matching rudder pedals) are the reliable choices.
- Many higher-end PC/Xbox flight sim peripherals are not officially supported at launch on PS5.
Supported flight controllers
Here are the controllers you can count on at launch on the PS5:
- DualSense Wireless Controller — the official PS5 controller is fully supported as the default input method. The game uses the adaptive triggers, gyro aiming, touchpad shortcuts and even the controller speaker for ATC voice.
- Thrustmaster T.Flight HOTAS 4 — the only officially licensed PS5 flight stick features a detachable throttle and is designed to offer a simple, affordable, and immersive flight-sim experience, with adjustable stick resistance, multiple buttons and axes for control, and a stable, ergonomic design suitable for beginners and casual pilots.
- Thrustmaster T.Flight Rudder Pedals (TFRP) — when connected to the HOTAS 4, the TFRP pedals offer smooth, precise yaw control using Thrustmaster’s S.M.A.R.T system with four industrial-grade aluminum rails for fluid sliding motion. They feature large differential brake pedals for foot-brake control, and the self-centering rudder axis provides a balanced mix of resistance and return force.
What’s not (officially) supported at launch: Many premium PC/Xbox flight peripherals (for example the Honeycomb Alpha yoke / Bravo throttle / Charlie pedals, Logitech/Thrustmaster Warthog etc) are not listed in the PS5 support FAQ. So, if you own one of those rigs you may not get full functionality on PS5 unless the manufacturer issues PS5-specific drivers or profiles later.
How these controllers feel in MSFS 2024
- DualSense: Surprisingly capable. For light GA flying or sightseeing, it works well. The gyro/camera controls feel smooth, adaptive triggers add immersion, and you can genuinely fly without external gear. That said, when you’re dealing with advanced autopilots, trim, multiple analog axes — you feel the limits of a standard game pad.
- T.Flight HOTAS 4 (+ pedals): This is a proper console-friendly sim setup. Throttle separate from joystick, more buttons for quick access, pedals for yaw — it gives a recognisable “flight rig” feel on the console. It won’t have the metal build or modular expandability of a high-end PC rig, but for PS5 users it’s a strong, supported choice.
Which PlayStation 5 model is best for MSFS 2024?
If your goal is the best possible experience of MSFS 2024 (on PS5) in terms of visuals, frame-rate, load times and future scalability — the Sony PlayStation 5 Pro is the recommended choice. The Pro model has enhanced GPU power, faster memory handling and better thermal/headroom characteristics, which help when dealing with a massive open-world sim that streams terrain, textures, AI traffic and aircraft systems. The extra storage (often larger internal SSD) also matters since MSFS grows over time with updates and add-ons.
For most players, though, a standard PS5 (or PS5 Slim) will still deliver a solid experience — you just may need to accept slightly lower visual settings, fewer headroom margins and possibly some longer load times or streaming stalls in extreme situations.
MSFS 2024 on PS5 is a landmark moment for console sim-pilots, bringing the full global scenery and systems depth to a broader audience. That said, the hardware/peripheral ecosystem at launch is narrower than many might hope. If you’re serious about simming on PS5 and want the best fidelity, choose a PS5 Pro and pair it with the Thrustmaster T.Flight HOTAS 4 (and pedals) — you’ll get the richest experience. If you’re budget-minded or just want to “dip your toes” in virtual flight, a standard PS5 with DualSense is still viable — you’ll just be giving up some performance and expansion headroom.