Simulator Hardware Hardware Rankings
X-Plane 12
High-End

Brunner CLS-E NG Flight Yoke

Brunner · Flight Yoke

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X-Plane 12 Performance Score

86 / 100
X-Plane 12 Score
Flight Yoke · Brunner
High-End
Value score 4.3 per $100 spent
Travel & Feel (30%) 75
Force Feedback (20%) 100
Build Quality (20%) 90
Button Layout (15%) 70
Compatibility (15%) 100

Brunner CLS-E NG Flight Yoke scores 86.0/100; travelAndFeel (30% weight) is the dominant factor at 75/100.

Verdict for X-Plane 12

The Brunner CLS-E NG Flight Yoke scores 86.0/100 for X-Plane 12, delivering full force feedback that translates X-Plane's blade-element physics into genuine control loading during ILS approaches and stall buffet. Built for serious sim pilots willing to invest in active force feedback, though the 180° rotation arc may feel limiting in crosswind landing sequences.

Reviewed: March 2026

Full Specifications

Connection USB
Force Feedback Yes
Axis Count 3
Button Count 12
Compatibility PC
Release Year 2022

Pros & Cons for X-Plane 12

Pros

  • ↑ Full active force feedback with a 100/100 subscore means X-Plane 12's blade-element stall modeling pushes back through the yoke physically — at this price tier, most alternatives offer only spring-centering with no dynamic load simulation whatsoever.
  • ↑ USB-direct connection is detected natively in X-Plane 12's joystick settings panel; all 3 axes map cleanly without third-party drivers, keeping setup time under ten minutes before your first VFR cross-country leg.
  • ↑ Metal construction handles sustained force feedback motor loads during extended VR city flyovers without the chassis flex you get from plastic-bodied yokes occupying this segment — the rigidity is noticeable when the feedback ramps up in turbulence.

Cons

  • ↓ The 180° rotation arc feels compressed during full-deflection crosswind corrections on short final at dense airports like KLGA — pilots transitioning from wider-arc yokes will need to recalibrate their muscle memory.
  • ↓ With only 12 buttons, you will exhaust assignable functions quickly in a glass-cockpit aircraft; the next tier up offers hat switches and additional button banks that handle CRS, HDG, and autopilot disconnect without reaching for the keyboard.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this a good Flight Yoke for X-Plane 12?
86.0/100 for X-Plane 12 makes the Brunner CLS-E NG a well-suited choice for pilots who want the sim's physics engine expressed through tactile hardware. Force feedback shines during slow-flight practice and approach-to-stall training, where X-Plane's blade-element model generates variable control pressure that the Brunner translates into real resistance changes in your hands. In photogrammetry zones at low altitude in VR, the yoke holds up well, though rudder-heavy aircraft will still need a capable set of pedals alongside it to get the full control picture.
Is it worth the price for X-Plane 12?
At the premium tier, the Brunner CLS-E NG is one of the very few yokes offering active force feedback in metal construction — most premium alternatives top out at adjustable spring resistance with no dynamic load simulation. The combination of a 100/100 force feedback subscore, all-metal chassis, and USB-direct compatibility represents a reliable and differentiated package compared to passive spring yokes at the same tier.
What should I look for in a Flight Yoke for X-Plane 12?
Travel and feel is the dominant factor at 30% weight because X-Plane 12's blade-element physics produce continuously varying control forces — a yoke with precise, consistent resistance lets you feel the aerodynamic feedback rather than fighting a uniform spring rate through a dense KJFK approach in gusty conditions. Force feedback at 20% weight matters because X-Plane 12 is one of the few sims that can actually drive active force feedback hardware with meaningful, physics-derived data, turning stall buffet and control saturation into physical sensations rather than visual cues alone. The Brunner CLS-E NG scores 86.0/100 overall by hitting a 100/100 on force feedback while posting a solid 75/100 on travel and feel — strong where it counts most, with the rotation arc being the primary area where the feel score leaves room for improvement.
Is the Brunner CLS-E NG Flight Yoke compatible with X-Plane 12?
The Brunner CLS-E NG connects via USB-direct and is detected by X-Plane 12's joystick and equipment settings panel without additional drivers for basic axis and button operation — pitch and roll axes appear immediately on device detection. Brunner's CLS2SIM software is recommended for accessing the full force feedback API integration with X-Plane 12, and you will want to manually confirm null zones for the pitch axis to prevent center-point drift during long cruise legs.
How should I configure this in X-Plane 12?
In X-Plane 12's joystick settings, set a linear sensitivity curve on both pitch and roll axes to preserve the force feedback fidelity — an exponential curve compresses the center region and conflicts with the Brunner's load feedback in the neutral zone. Apply a 2–3% null zone on the pitch axis to eliminate any mechanical center noise, and leave roll null zone at 0% to retain full crosswind correction resolution on short final.

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