Honeycomb unveils updated Alpha Flight Controls XPC, new military hardware, and more

Honeycomb Aeronautical had a pretty comprehensive set of announcements to make in this year’s FlightSimExpo. We’ve told you already about a similar announcement from Thrustmaster, with its first flight simulation yoke based on the Boeing 787 design, but Honeycomb is bringing a wider variety of new products that will surely please many fans of the hardware house.

Let’s start with Honeycomb’s flagship product, the Alpha Flight Controls yoke. It’s been an elusive piece of hardware since the pandemic hit, a situation that is hopefully starting to slowly improve. Despite these difficulties, Honeycomb has announced an updated version of its beloved yoke, to be called Alpha Flight Controls XPC. Along with a new design that makes use of an expansive “honeycomb” effect, this new yoke will feature improved haptics, hall-effects sensors for much-improved resolution (up to 400% better), and a new spring-loaded mechanism for the ignition. Alpha Flight Controls XPC will see a $20 price increase compared to the original yoke (from $279 to $299) and is expected to come out on PC, Mac and Xbox during the first quarter of 2022.

Honeycomb also took the opportunity to reveal some additional details about its upcoming joystick and throttle combo, Tango Foxtrot, which is being specially designed for Xbox pilots. The team unveiled some new images of the product along with a telescopic table mount that will surely come in handy to set up the new hardware.

Another announcement that came from Honeycomb’s presentation is their first foray into military flight simulation controls. The first product for this audience will be the Sigma Tau, another flight stick and throttle combination that Honeycomb claims to be highly innovative, with functions that have never been seen before. The joystick will be available in Q1 2022, while the throttle is expected to come out in Q2 2022.

But this was not all from Honeycomb. They also had a series of accessories to unveil, from minor ones such as dust covers and cramps, to usability improvements like a silicone cover for the Bravo trim wheel. Arguably more intriguing is Lima Flight Chair, a new swivel chair whose armrests have been designed to accommodate flight simulation peripherals such as joystick and throttle controls, which attach magnetically to the armrests. Compatibility with products from other brands appears to be possible as well.

There you have it, new toys for your flight simulation setup. Honeycomb has struggled over the last year to meet the demand for its products, but hopefully next year everything will be smoother. What are you most excited about from Honeycomb’s upcoming new hardware?