I would but then they'd have to kill me

Hmmm, first I've heard of a deflecting stick that was fly-by-wire and NOT force-feedback, since I thought all FBW sticks were tensometric like the F-16's and all deflecting sticks had mechanical connections to the control surfaces, thus any forces exerted on the surfaces would manifest themselves in the stick.

Then again, I did hear about a report of an A-10 pilot bringing home a damaged bird with a dead stick with nothing more than a backup control system consisting of strings and pulleys, which does suggest that the stick isn't really coupled to the controls directly.

Still, I was wondering mostly because it seems odd that the Logitech G940 is the only serious HOTAS on the market with force-feedback, something desirable for old warbirds (but not modern jets)...

The A-10, and other aircraft of its generation, have hydraulically boosted controls. The A-10 also has a system called manual reversion where the pilot can move the flight control surfaces directly, without any hydraulic boost.

There are many fly-by-wire aircraft without force-sensing sticks - just about every one except the F-16. Take the F-18, for example; in this aircraft the pilot places the stick where he wants it, and then the computers interpret this input and decide which flight control surfaces to move to achieve the commanded aircraft behavior. There is no mechanical linkage between the stick and the flight control surfaces; a motor in the stick base provides feedback to the pilot.

Other aircraft with force-sensing stick would be F-35, F-22, and RAH-66 Commanche (cancelled). Also, the AH-1Z has such a stick (which is also taken from the F-16).

What I find interesting in watching the banner at TM's site is how high the stick base appears to sit on the actual base itself. Almost like there is some sort of motor that would drive the stick or something that is holding it tighter than the stock Cougar.

I wonder how much longer we will have to wait on the information and if Frugals is going to come back up with more information IF/WHEN they ever put it back up.

It almost looks like a force-sensing module like the Cougar's FSSB canister...

Nope, control tubes...

Interesting, well, you would know. So the stick does move around then?

I'm starting to think based on the pics that this must be force sensing (which sucks).

Think about, the way the stick is connected the cylinder on the base, it doesn't leave any room for gimbals.

It may be a hybrid where it is force sensing below a spring to allow some deflection in the stick.

Everybody likes to speculate so here`s my predictions:

1. Stick. deflecting with hall sensor(s), helical spring with adjustable tension, not force feedback, very similar to but not the same as an F16 stick.

2. Throttle. hall sensor with ancillary function buttons on the base, adjustable tension.

3. Available Q2 2010, retailing at $400 to $500

4. Rudder pedals. A new three axis pedal set up by Q4.

these are just my musings so don`t take em too seriously

all the best