After several teasers from the VIRPIL team, the hardware developer has officially revealed their new yoke. The yoke, named “Advanced Flight Yoke“, VIRPIL’s new project aims to bring civil aviation controls to simulators.
In the images posted on VIRPIL’s channels, we can see two different yokes with distinct shapes. The first yoke appears to have the recognisable layout and shape of a conventional Boeing yoke as found in the Boeing 737. It features trim buttons, buttons and a hat switch, as well as several switches on the panel itself. The other yoke appears to have the distinct shape of an Embraer yoke, with a sort of ‘M’ shape. This yoke too seems to offer several controls on the yoke itself, as well as the panel behind it.
VIRPIL’s Advanced Flight Yoke is expected to cost €500 once it becomes available. The yoke will include a premium metal construction and high precision contactless sensors. The yoke is also said to feature a wide range of adjustments, including a dedicated eco-system with swappable yoke handles. The yoke will not feature force feedback, a much sought after feature in the premium hardware segment. As a reason for the lack of this feature, VIRPIL states the price and the lack of maturity of FFB technology in other hardware units.
VIRPIL has also been teasing a separate gear lever module, although that project was not announced officially. The developer did announce they are working on a wider range of civil aviation devices, including a throttle unit and several panels.
While the developer has now finally lifted the lid on this new yoke project, there will first be a Kickstarter campaign for this project, expected to start on October 1st. The developer has opted for this to assess the demand for the yokes, while listening to feedback from potential customers on how to shape the civil aviation hardware devices and accessories. People that back the Kickstarter project will receive “early-bird” pricing for supporting the project, although VIRPIL did not provide any details on this pricing.
