Thrustmaster’s Airbus Add-On Grip and AVA Base deliver precise control at a steep price

The Thrustmaster Airbus Add-On Grip paired with the AVA Joystick Base delivers precise, progressive control in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024’s Fenix A320. It also costs $429.98 at US MSRP before optional accessories, and the standard setup can wobble or lack stability on a desktop. This is premium flight-simulation hardware for Airbus-focused pilots—not a cheap plug-and-play stick.

The setup is two products, not one joystick

The Airbus Add-On Grip is exactly that: an add-on grip. It cannot operate by itself and needs a compatible base. The supported options are the AVA Base, Sol-R, and Warthog MKII.

That modular design is the main difference from the older Thrustmaster TCA Sidestick Airbus Edition. The TCA is an integrated, entry-level sidestick with a built-in throttle. The Airbus Add-On Grip and AVA Base are a separate grip-and-base system designed for buyers who want more control over resistance, travel, and physical configuration.

The grip can use an A3XX-style layout or be converted to an A400M-style configuration with the included module and button cover. Its twist axis has a mechanical lock, and both the grip and base use Hall-effect sensing with 16-bit precision in their respective axes.

How the AVA feels in flight

The strongest part of the system is its control feel. The AVA Base applies progressively increasing resistance as the stick moves away from center, while the standard Jet cams avoid a noticeable center detent. That combination makes small corrections feel controlled rather than twitchy.

The standard Jet cams also felt more authentic than the optional FBW cams in testing. The FBW configuration introduced a more noticeable center detent, which changed the transition through the middle of the stick’s travel. That is a configuration-specific finding, not a universal verdict on every AVA setup.

Compared with the older TCA Sidestick, the AVA system offers less X/Y travel and a more progressive resistance profile. The TCA’s movement is smoother and more linear, and its tension is not adjustable in the same way. The difference is less about one product being universally superior than about what you want your simulator controls to feel like: simple and accessible, or adjustable and more deliberate.

What was tested in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024

The setup was used with the Fenix A320 in three situations: basic maneuvering at 5,000 feet, a turbulent approach into Las Vegas, and a curved RNAV Visual approach to San Francisco International Airport Runway 1R.

During basic maneuvering, vertical-speed targets were reached within approximately 100 feet per minute. That is a reported result under those simulator conditions, not a laboratory accuracy specification or a guarantee for every aircraft and simulator.

The progressive resistance was particularly useful during the turbulent Las Vegas approach, where larger corrections were required. On the curved approach to San Francisco International Airport Runway 1R, the controls supported precise tracking of the arc and a smooth transition to the runway centerline.

The practical takeaway is clear: the AVA’s character suits pilots who spend time making small, measured inputs. It is less compelling if you simply want a basic stick to get airborne.

Customization and specifications

The AVA Base lets you adjust the hardware rather than merely changing software sensitivity. It includes interchangeable Aero and Jet cams, Soft, Medium, and Strong springs, and Small, Medium, and XL deflection masks. Thrustmaster T.A.R.G.E.T software adds axis tuning and community profiles.

The grip brings its own controls and layout options, including the mechanically lockable Z axis and an integrated mini-stick. The base handles the X and Y axes and connects through a detachable USB-C to USB-A cable. The system supports Windows 10/11, Microsoft Flight Simulator, and X-Plane.

The wobble and stability problem

The system’s biggest weakness is mechanical. In its standard configuration, the AVA Base does not provide enough damping to prevent wobble when the grip is moved with a finger. The base is also not stable enough for larger inputs on a desktop without the optional AVA Base Plate.

Separately sold dampers address the reported wobble, while the Base Plate improves desktop stability. Neither accessory is included in the combined grip-and-base MSRP. That matters because the headline price does not necessarily represent the setup most buyers will want on their desk.

This is not an electronic precision problem. The Hall-effect sensors and fine control are the attraction; the issue is how firmly the physical assembly stays planted while you use that precision.

Price and alternatives

The US MSRP breaks down as follows:

The TCA remains the sensible choice for a beginner or anyone who wants an integrated controller at a much lower historical or snapshot price. It provides the Airbus-style form factor and a built-in throttle without requiring a separate base.

The AVA-based system makes more sense for a narrower audience: sim pilots who care about progressive resistance, mechanical tuning, and an Airbus-oriented grip enough to accept the price and the possibility of adding mounting and damping hardware. It is a refinement purchase, not a value purchase.

Bottom line

The Thrustmaster Airbus Add-On Grip and AVA Joystick Base deliver the right kind of precision for Airbus-style flying in the tested Fenix A320 scenarios. The progressive resistance, configurable cams and springs, A3XX/A400M layouts, and controlled small inputs give the system a convincing premium character.

But the full decision is not just “$429.98 for a joystick.” It is $429.98 for a grip and base, before the optional accessories that address the reported wobble and desktop stability. Choose it if those control qualities are central to your flight-simulation setup. Choose the integrated TCA instead if your priority is getting a capable Airbus-style stick without turning the purchase into a hardware project.