{
  "id": 144088,
  "title": "Sometimes you have to take a break from work to pay respects to the PC flight stick that ruled the '90s",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/04/sometimes-you-have-to-take-a-break-from-work-to-pay-respects-to-the",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-08-04T19:42:06.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "PC Gamer",
    "slug": "pc-gamer",
    "url": "https://www.pcgamer.com/hardware/controllers/sometimes-you-have-to-take-a-break-from-work-to-pay-respects-to-the-pc-flight-stick-that-ruled-the-90s/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In the 1990s, finding a good joystick was a rare occurrence. Arcade cabinets often had worn down sticks, and the Atari 2600's stick was even worse. The Nintendo 64's analogue stick was a step up, but it quickly deteriorated after a few months. The only reliable joystick in the author's household was a beige and black PC accessory, likely a hand-me-down from a friend. The FlightStick, as it was known, had a simple design and branding, just stating \"FlightStick\" on it. It was part of a family business, CH Products, which had been around since the 1970s and was a favorite among flight enthusiasts. The stick's quality was renowned, with many still praising its durability decades later. Though the FlightStick fell out of favor by the 2000s, it was still a superior alternative to the joysticks of its time.",
  "summary": "It may not look like much now, but the CH Products FlightStick was a champion in its day.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}