You'll probably have a decent experience if you happen to have an Xbox or PS4 controller lying around. The next step up would be a joystick (maybe $50-$300 depending on how fancy you get). If you're super hardcore you can also get a yoke and pedals, but I think that's overkill unless you want a super realistic experience

You can get a Thrustmaster TS16000M for less than $50, which is a great joystick to start flying. There are much more complex and true-to-life systems, which can cost several hundred dollars. It all depends on how much realistic you want your experience to be.

Pretty much, yeah.

You don't need to that crazy though. A basic $80 joystick with a throttle and twist for rudder will get you about 90% of the way there.

Even throttle control may not be required, since there isn't any combat/dogfighting in this game where you need quick changes in throttle.

Try attempting a proper landing approach without a throttle.

Auto throttle all the way!

Better idea: CAT IIIA Autoland, don't even need an analog input.

For real though, the landing is where you need the most precise control over both your control surfaces and throttle for a good landing.

But then why even play a flight sim?

And yes, playing FSX with Xbox controller, landing is where I wish I have throttle or sometimes even rudder controller (since by default the directional control controls nose gear, ailerons, and rudders at the same time)

Cheater:)

Power-off 180s precision for every landing, then?

Yeah, that is price of a single game. Sounds reasonable.

If you want to get a bit fancier the next step up would be something like a Logitech X56, which will give you twin throttles, several other slider/knob axes (prop/mixture controls, etc), and a lot more buttons of the stick. That's around $250.

From there you can get to pretty crazy high end stuff, some of which use real airplane hardware.

Thanks, will look into this. I imagine these controls should come handy in some other games as well.

The first thing I will need to do is build a PC after a long time.

I’m Using my MacBook Pro, an eGPU and bootcamp.

Wife nay-nayed a new machine, so this happened.

My personal macbook isn't that powerful.I am not sure about bootcamp on the work machine.

If I may ask, which eGPU are you using and are you satisfied with it?

You need a stick and a throttle. I've been using Saitek X52pro which has both (HOTAS) to play Elite Dangerous with Rift since it came out and they are good but there are many other options available out in the market. For MSFS you may also want to have rudder pedals.

I would not suggest keyboard/mouse controls but if you don't want to go get a joystick a gamepad should be fine

Just get a cheap joystick.