For years, flight simulation enthusiasts have faced a difficult choice: do you invest in a setup optimized for civil aviation or one built for combat flight? The hardware, the controls, even the motion profiles — each demanded a separate rig.
RokPex eliminates that compromise.
Our motion platform, paired with the Honeycomb Alpha Flight Controls yoke, Honeycomb Bravo Throttle Quadrant, Winwing Orion 2 HOTAS (F/A-18 configuration), and Thrustmaster TPR Pendular Rudder Pedals, delivers a one-rig, two-mode configuration that serves both Microsoft Flight Simulator and DCS World pilots with uncompromising precision.
The Cockpit Quartet: Why These Components Work Together
Honeycomb Alpha Flight Controls Yoke: The Gold Standard for Civil Aviation
The Honeycomb Alpha has become the benchmark for realistic flight simulation yokes. Designed and developed in California by pilots and aerospace engineers, it delivers an experience trusted by serious simmers, flight students, and even real pilots -5-1.
What makes the Alpha exceptional:
- Full 180° Yoke Rotation — The yoke rotates 180 degrees left and right, providing realistic control throw that makes smooth landings and precise maneuvers possible. Unlike cheaper yokes with limited turning range, the Alpha’s solid steel shaft moves over 15 centimeters with smooth, dampened action and no center detent or dead zone -1-5
- Integrated Switch Panel — The yoke’s base includes a complete switch panel with master, alternator, avionics, and light switches, plus a 5-position ignition switch — eliminating the need for separate switch boxes -5
- 13 Programmable Buttons and Switches — The left handle features an 8-way hat switch, two vertical 2-way rocker switches, a push-to-talk button, and a large button. The right handle adds two horizontal 2-way rocker switches and two buttons -5
- Universal Panel-Mounting System — A detachable mount for Logitech G Saitek Flight Panels allows seamless integration with additional avionics modules -1
The Alpha is widely regarded as one of the best flight simulation yokes available. PC Pilot Magazine awarded it five stars, and FSElite rated it 9.7/10 -1. Users consistently report it transforms their simulation experience, with one reviewer noting it “feels 100% better than Logitech version” and another calling it “hands down wayyyyy better than the others I’ve had — it’s like a new sim” -5-9.
Honeycomb Bravo Throttle Quadrant: Complete Throttle Control
The Bravo Throttle Quadrant complements the Alpha yoke to create a complete flight simulation cockpit. It is a fully configurable throttle system suitable for everything from single-engine general aviation to four-engine commercial aircraft -6-10.
Key features of the Bravo:
- Two Sets of Levers — Comes with six General Aviation levers and six Commercial Jet levers (including speed brake and flaps lever), making it suitable for both propeller aircraft and airliners -6
- Integrated Autopilot Panel — Features illuminated buttons for autopilot control directly on the throttle -6
- Annunciator Panel — Includes 14 warning lights for critical system status -6
- Gear and Flaps Controls — Dedicated gear lever with red/green LED indicator and flap lever -6
- Trim Wheel — Allows elevator trim control without reaching for additional hardware -6
- Seven Programmable Switches — Two-way switches that can be customized for various aircraft functions -6
The Bravo supports mounting Logitech G Saitek Flight Panels on top, creating a cohesive cockpit setup -6. It is compatible with Windows, MacOS, and Xbox Series X|S (via the Honeycomb Xbox Hub) -6.
Winwing Orion 2 HOTAS (F/A-18 Configuration): Combat-Ready Precision
While the Honeycomb Alpha and Bravo excel at civil aviation, the Winwing Orion 2 HOTAS in F/A-18 configuration brings military-grade precision to combat flight simulation. Winwing (WINCTRL) has established itself as a leading brand in high-quality flight simulation peripherals, with a comprehensive ecosystem designed specifically for DCS World -3.
The F/A-18 configuration includes:
- CarrierAce Metal Grip — A full metal replica of the F/A-18C Hornet grip, specifically designed for carrier operations in DCS World. Physical idle/cutoff levers replicate the real aircraft’s startup procedure, with a “distinct click” when lifting the levers that adds “a real layer of immersion to engine start” -3
- Orion2 Throttle Base — Equipped with 4 encoders, 4 two-position switches, 4 three-position switches, and 3 high-precision Hall wave wheels, providing comprehensive control over every flight parameter -3
- Integrated Vibration Motors — Provides tactile feedback for weapons release, afterburner engagement, and aerodynamic changes -3
- SimAppPro Software — Winwing’s configuration software simplifies control mapping for DCS World, saving hours of setup time and ensuring correct mappings for each aircraft module -3
Why the F/A-18 configuration matters: The F/A-18C Hornet is one of DCS World’s most popular modules. As one user who switched from a Thrustmaster HOTAS Warthog explained: “The Warthog is first and foremost a HOTAS designed for the A-10C Thunderbolt II… but when you switch to an F/A-18C Hornet, you find yourself manually mapping critical functions to switches that don’t have the right shape, position, or semantics. It works, but it breaks immersion and forces parasitic muscle memory” -3. The Orion2 CarrierAce bundle solves this by providing a HOTAS specifically designed for flying the Hornet -3.
After extensive testing, reviewers confirm the Orion2 performs at the level of established competitors: “after several cumulative hours of sessions, no mechanical play, no parasitic noise, no fussy switches. Serious stuff” -3.
Thrustmaster TPR Pendular Rudder Pedals: Precision Yaw Control
The Thrustmaster TPR Pendular Rudder Pedals complete the premium setup, providing yaw control that delivers “the extra push to reality” -8.
Why the TPR pedals stand out:
- PENDUL_R Technology — A unique suspended mechanism that ensures smooth and fluid movements. The pendular design creates a “heavier feel that allows controlled movement from the legs rather than just the ankles” -8
- H.E.A.R.T. HallEffect AccuRate Technology — 3D Hall effect magnetic sensors provide 16-bit resolution (65,536 values) on each of three axes: rudder, left differential brake, and right differential brake, with 0.005° of precision -8-12
- 100% Metal Construction — Weighing 7kg, the metal base guarantees total stability even when used without a cockpit -8-12
- Adjustable Pedals — Five positions at angles between 35° and 75°, plus adjustable spring resistance -8
- T.A.R.G.E.T. Software Support — Allows combining the TPR with other Thrustmaster devices as a single USB device, with dedicated profiles for DCS, War Thunder, IL-2, X-Plane, Prepar3D, and more -8-12
The TPR’s realistic dimensions (53 x 36 x 36 cm) and weight contribute to the immersive experience, with the pedals providing precise control for carrier landings, crosswind corrections, and helicopter hovering -8-12.
One Rig, Two Modes: How the Dual Configuration Works
RokPex’s integrated control system makes the seamless transition between civil and combat flight possible:
Mode 1: Civil Aviation (Microsoft Flight Simulator)
- Controls: Honeycomb Alpha yoke + Honeycomb Bravo throttle quadrant
- Motion Profile: Smooth, progressive motion that replicates the feel of commercial and general aviation aircraft — gentle pitch changes, coordinated turns, and realistic turbulence response
- Game Integration: The Alpha is recognized immediately by MSFS, with default profiles available out of the box -1
Mode 2: Combat Flight (DCS World)
- Controls: Winwing Orion 2 HOTAS (F/A-18 grip + Orion2 base) + Winwing throttle (F/A-18 configuration)
- Motion Profile: High-intensity response capturing the dynamic forces of combat maneuvering — sharp rolls, rapid pitch changes, and aggressive G-force simulation
- Game Integration: Full HOTAS control mapping for the F/A-18C Hornet, with SimAppPro simplifying the setup process -3
The best part? Switching between modes takes only seconds. Keep both control systems mounted on a single cockpit frame, and simply swap which one is active as you change games.
Why Motion Matters: RokPex Delivers the Ultimate Feedback
The Honeycomb yoke, Bravo throttle, Winwing HOTAS, and TPR pedals provide the inputs — but RokPex provides the response. Our 6DOF motion platform translates your control movements and in-game physics into real physical motion:
- 2-15ms response time — Motion syncs with your inputs faster than your brain can perceive
- 65,535 resolution levels — 256× the precision of traditional PLC-based systems
- Full telemetry integration — Works seamlessly with SimTools, SimHub, and FlyPT to capture game data and generate motion commands
- 6-DOF motion — Pitch, roll, yaw, heave, surge, and sway for complete immersion
Compatible Software and Games
The RokPex + Honeycomb + Winwing + TPR combination is fully compatible with all major flight simulation software:
| Software | Honeycomb Alpha | Honeycomb Bravo | Winwing Orion2 | TPR Pedals | RokPex Motion |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020/2024 | ✅ Native | ✅ Native | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ SimTools/FlyPT/Simhub |
| Microsoft Flight Simulator X | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ SimTools/FlyPT/Simhub |
| X-Plane 11 / X-Plane 12 | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ SimTools/FlyPT/Simhub |
| Prepar3D | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ SimTools/FlyPT/Simhub |
| DCS World | Limited | Limited | ✅ Full | ✅ | ✅ SimTools/FlyPT/Simhub |
| IL-2 Sturmovik | Limited | Limited | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ SimTools/FlyPT/Simhub |
The Winwing Ecosystem: Expanding Your Cockpit
For pilots who want to go beyond the core HOTAS system, Winwing offers an extensive ecosystem of add-on panels -7:
- Orion Rudder Pedals — Optional pedals for full control integration (though we recommend the TPR for superior precision)
- F-15EX Throttle — Alternative throttle grip for multi-role fighter operations
- Additional Grips — F-16, F-15, and other aircraft-specific grips available
- MFSSB Base — Force sensing base for F-16 style control
Honeycomb has also released complementary products including the Foxrot joystick, Alpha Lite flight controller, and Sierra TPM control panel for those wanting to expand their civil aviation setup.
Building Your Perfect Flight Rig
Whether you’re an MSFS enthusiast who wants the most realistic yoke available, a DCS pilot who demands the precision of a full F/A-18 HOTAS system, or someone who enjoys both — the RokPex platform with these four premium components delivers.
For MSFS pilots: The Honeycomb Alpha yoke and Bravo throttle quadrant provide the most authentic general aviation and commercial aircraft experience available, with the TPR pedals completing the setup.
For DCS pilots: The Winwing Orion 2 F/A-18 configuration delivers immersion that matches the specific aircraft you’re flying, with the TPR pedals providing the precision needed for carrier landings.
For both: Mount all components on a single rig, switch between configurations, and enjoy the best of both worlds.
One rig. Two modes. Infinite skies.
This article is based on publicly available product information. Honeycomb, Winwing, and Thrustmaster are independent brands not affiliated with RokPex. All product specifications and compatibility claims are sourced from manufacturer documentation and verified community reports.
