If you are a former RW pilot... and flew GA craft....... and plan on flying them in the sim..... likely you'll want a yoke and pedals and maybe a throttle quadrant.  The trio might set you back about $275-300.

CH Products makes two varieties of yokes, pedals, and a throttle quad.  (I have all three....love them.)

Saitek also makes a yoke, pedals, and throttle quad.  I fell they are more "gamey" than the CH stuff.

All are relatively similar in overall cost. 

There are more realistic sets of stuff out there mainly for the simpit market.... but the price jumps exponentially.

Maybe see the "Homebuild Cockpits" forum section for the stickies at he top of the section for suppliers listing for them.

best,

................john

As a former GA pilot, you're probably used to having something in each hand.  The big decision then becomes yoke or stick to go with your separate throttle control.  Personally I chose the Saitek X52 'cause most of my flying was in light aircraft with sticks.  Both types perform the same funtion so it's just a matter of preference but do consider the separate throttle.  Rudder pedals are a nice addition.  They'll catch that little left turning thing when you open the throttle and, once airborne, help keep the ball in the center. 

Something along the lines of
http://www.mightyape.co.nz/product/Saitek-Pro-Flight-Yoke-System/1545633/
a decent starting set?  Likely more costly then you guys are used to seeing as we here in NZ tend to have to pay a ton more for this sort of thing.   

Venge wrote on Apr 22^nd, 2010 at 11:38pm:
Those New Zealand prices are a bit breathtaking.  If you have friends or aquaintances who do flight simming, it would help to see and try what they're using before you take the plunge.  Like Fozzer, I'm a stick fan but that's why they sell both  .

Awesome info guys!
After reading what you guys have to say I think I may put my money back in my pocket for now and just go with a stick with attached throttle and twist ability for rudder. 
If I find I do become as addicted as most of you seem to be then it will be time to get some quality gear. 
I was a furniture maker for years, so ya, I can see me becoming one with a simpit down the road if flight simming becomes a passion for me. 
Again, thanks guys, your info was super helpful!

Plus, I think my money may be better spent on something like REX at this point.

Oh, and CH is over here, I know I have seen it somewhere.  It just isn't nearly as popular with the suppliers that list online I guess.  When the time comes, I will definitely find some and have a good look.

And yes, you don't get much for your gaming NZ$ I am afraid.  A lot has to do with the currency exchange though.  Not sure what the exact US - NZ rate is at the moment, but I know it usually hovers between 55 - 70 cents US = 1 NZ
We get used to getting gouged over here.  Unfortunately it was something I had to get used to when I moved here from Canada.

Edit:  Picked up a Logitech Extreme 3D Pro for $45 NZ.  Seemed reasonable value for money over here

Venge,

Check this one out.

http://cgi.ebay.com/CH-Products-Eclipse-Flight-Yoke-200-616-INTERNATIONAL-/16041...

best,

............john

Yeah Fozzer.....$160 US bucks.  That is the new Eclipse yoke and that is a pretty good price for it.  And they say "international".... so it might be worth checking out for Venge in case they don't alter the exchange rate bit.  That's ther main reason I posted it....compared to HIS prices above.  And if you look at the bottom of the page, the older style yoke is about $99.

If all you could afford for the moment was the yoke, you'd put it on autorudder.  Eventually you'd buy or build some pedals.  It is all about immersion..... and if you fly GA... a lot of GA planes have yokes, not sticks.

Never saw a twist grip stick in ANY aircraft.   

best,

................john

PS:  I just put up a lot of yoke and pedal Ebay links down in the Homebuild section.  Some really cheap if they don't move too much.  One yoke sitting at $29 right now.

I use a combination of a MSFFB2 and Saitek x45(for throttle only) at the same time.  I've been very happy with both and have had zero problems.  Both of these devices are no longer available from the original manufacturers.  However, gogamer.com used to still have the FFB2 for 149.00 U.S.  The FFB2 has a twist handle for the rudders and that works just fine for me.  It also works well when you need to slip for landing.

Edit: GoGamer is showing this as out of stock 
http://www.gogamer.com/Microsoft-Sidewinder-Force-Feedback-2-Joystick-Joysticks_...

I have also flown civil aircraft in real life but chose to go with a stick because I also like to fly combat sims and just didn't want to part with that much dinero to have both.  the main difference, to me anyway, is that for civil aircraft you use left hand to fly and right hand on the throttle.  Whereas with a stick configuration it's the opposite.