Rudder pedals are one of the most important flight controls you can add to a flight sim. They decide whether your takeoffs track straight, whether crosswind landings feel controlled, and whether braking on rollout stays smooth instead of chaotic. The WINCTRL Orion 32 Rudder Pedals Metal (Airbus Edition) aim straight at that problem, with a sturdy metal build and an airliner-style pedal face that looks at home in an A320 setup.
I first saw these pedals when WINCTRL announced them at FlightSimExpo. After spending time with them in my own setup, including a flight test using footage from my livestream, I can say this version feels like a serious piece of hardware. It also gives you a clear option to tune feel further with the damper, which I highly recommend if you care about micro corrections.
Quick specs that matter
- Main yaw travel: 76 degrees (150.72 mm)
- Brake travel: 15 degrees
- Adjustability: 0 to 38 degrees per side (set both sides symmetrically)
- Dimensions: 546 x 333 x 318 mm
- Weight: 8.0 kg
- Connection: USB (standard HID device)
What's in the box
The unboxing is clean and practical. Here's the exact sequence I followed:
- Accessories kit
- USB data cable
- Two spare springs
- QA certificate
- Baseplate
- Dampener (Damper edition)
- Pedal assembly
The overall impression right out of the box is sturdiness. The pedal frame feels planted and confidence-inspiring. That matters, because any flex or “give” under your feet turns into bad habits over time. When the hardware is solid, you stop compensating and you fly the airplane instead of fighting your controls.
Installation notes (important order)
Installation is not hard, but the order matters, and one step is easy to rush. This is the sequence that worked best for me:
- Ensure the pedal spring is aligned properly.
- Remove the screw, adjust the torsion spring, then tighten the screw beneath the torsion spring.
- Repeat that spring assembly step for the other pedal as well.
- Align each arm to the pedal assembly, insert the screw, then tighten it.
- Place the pedal assembly onto the base plate and tighten the screws.
I installed my unit on the Next Level Racing flight chair. If you're building a custom rig, you can also mount it to 4080 aluminum profiles. For that style of mounting, the manual calls out a 388 mm profile spacing.
Damper install (why I recommend it)
I recommend the damper if you want more fine tuning in how the pedals feel during small inputs. The difference shows up most during taxi corrections, takeoff roll tracking, and especially during rollout when you're blending rudder and braking.
This is the damper install sequence I used:
- Screw the long support post in place.
- Use a hex wrench through the hole to tighten it.
- Place the short support post into the mounting boss.
- Adjust the damper extension length so the holes align with the support posts.
- Insert the screws with washers and tighten them.
Before your first flight, do a quick sanity check: full left and right travel, full brake travel, and confirm nothing binds. Then plug in USB, confirm the axes are detected, and tune in sim.
Build quality and feel
These pedals feel rock solid underfoot. The unit stays planted, the movement feels consistent, and the return-to-center behavior is predictable. That predictability is the big difference between “I can hold centerline” and “I keep chasing it.”
In terms of overall feel, the closest comparison in my own history is WINCTRL Orion 2. I've been using Orion 2 for a while, and they're still my favorite pedals. The Orion 32 Metal (Airbus Edition) feels very similar in confidence and sturdiness, which is exactly what I wanted.
Airbus Edition design and an important limitation
The Airbus Edition pedal faces resemble Airbus airline pedals. If you fly A320 a lot, that style and geometry feel right in the cockpit, especially if your entire setup is built around Airbus hardware.
One important limitation: there's no way to upgrade existing Orion pedals into the Airbus option later. There is no supported way to swap the main pedals to get the Airbus style. If you want the Airbus Edition, you buy the Airbus Edition unit.
Adjustability
Total yaw travel is 76 degrees, and you can adjust it per side from 0 to 38 degrees. The key here is symmetry. Adjust both sides together so left and right travel stays consistent. This is where you can dial out an overly sensitive feel and make centerline control feel natural.
Flight test results (from my livestream)
I tested these the way I actually fly: taxi tracking, takeoff roll directional control as speed builds, crosswind correction on short final, and then the rollout where rudder and braking have to work together cleanly.
The pedals handled small inputs without feeling twitchy, and they stayed composed during rollout. With the damper installed, the fine control felt easier to keep smooth, especially when making tiny corrections instead of big swings.
Comparison: Orion 32 vs Thrustmaster Pendular
I'm retiring my Thrustmaster Pendular pedals after this. For me, the Orion 32 Metal (Airbus Edition) are less expensive and feel a lot better in day-to-day flying. The sturdiness and the overall control feel make the difference immediately.
Pricing and availability
Pricing varies by region and by whether you choose the standard edition or the damper edition. In my video review embedded on this page, I show the official regional pricing chart on screen so you can pause and compare your region quickly.
Availability can also vary between the global store and regional stores, and regional stock can sometimes lag behind new releases. If shipping and taxes are a major factor where you live, it's worth checking both options.
Verdict
If you want sturdy, airliner-style pedals that feel serious, the WINCTRL Orion 32 Rudder Pedals Metal (Airbus Edition) make a strong case. If you're still on twist rudder, or you're dealing with pedals that slide or flex, this is one of those upgrades you'll feel instantly.
If you fly airliners most of the time, the Airbus Edition look and ergonomics fit naturally. If you care about tuning the feel, I recommend getting the damper because it adds that last layer of fine control that shows up in the moments that matter most.