Controlling an airliner on the ground relies heavily on the nosewheel steering tiller, a vital tool that allows pilots to direct the aircraft during taxi. Earlier this year, a newcomer to the market, IIDB, introduced its own take on this essential component. Today, we’re taking a closer look with our review of the IIDB Steering Tiller, a unit resembling a steering tiller from an Airbus aircraft. Is it an absolutely necessary accessory for your flight sim setup?
It should be noted that I received the IIDB Steering Tiller free of charge to write this review; however, any views expressed in the review remain my own. I tested the unit in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 using the Fenix A320, the default A330, and the iniBuilds A320neo. The unit is also compatible with other flight simulators, such as X-Plane and Prepar3D. In the real world, I am a certified private and glider pilot while studying for EASA ATPL.
Packaging and availability
The nosewheel tiller comes in a simple cardboard box. Inside the box is the steering tiller itself, wrapped in bubble foil and a plastic bag. Also included are a USB cable, screws to mount the unit to the desk, and sticky pads for a screw-free mounting alternative.
I might have appreciated a slightly more premium feel to the inside of the package for a product like this, especially with the premium price of $289. However, the packaging is simple and designed to do what it is intended to do: ensure the safe transportation of the unit and its included parts from the manufacturer to the customer, and it does that perfectly.
When it comes to availability, IIDB is shipping the unit worldwide. A minor inconvenience is that they do not have an online store, and the unit is not being sold through other distributors. To order the unit, you must complete a form on their website, to which they will presumably respond with further details. Since we were provided the units for review purposes, we did not have a chance to test this process, but it would definitely be easier to have the option to buy directly through an online store.
Mounting and build quality
The product page of the IIDB Steering Tiller states that the unit features a compact and robust design, allowing for use on a tabletop with an easy-to-install screw-free mounting option, or in a cockpit using VESA mounts.
The unit feels very robust and premium. Despite most of the exterior parts of the tiller being plastic, there is no squeaking and no backlash in the individual parts. The gimbal itself is full metal, and it feels amazing. There is a very satisfying friction to the gimbal movement, which makes it feel “cultured“, just like Airbus planes appear.
I was unable to test the mounting using VESA since my setup is not compatible with it, but I did use the included sticky pads, and I must say that this can’t be, unfortunately, considered a long-term mounting solution. For short-term use, however, they are perfect. The unit did not move an inch when tested.
The package contains 10 smaller sticky pads and four larger ones. For a single use, you need four smaller sticky pads. They serve their purpose perfectly for the duration of a single session. I must say that the unit did not move at all when I followed the screw-free mounting guide in the included instructions. Once you end your session and want to put the tiller away, though, the pads begin to lose effectiveness as they are exposed to air and dust, and after a few days, they lose all sticky power.
If you, however, plan to use the unit outside a permanent setup, you can definitely stick velcro straps, or other alternative, to the base and use those to attach the unit to the desk.
Something to also keep in mind is that the USB cable (USB Type A to USB Type C) included in the package is barely 1 meter (3 ft) long, and thus, you will probably need to use another cable unless you plan to use the unit right next to your computer.
Accuracy and backlighting
The IIDB Steering Tiller, according to the manufacturer, uses a 16-bit resolution contactless digital sensor. I am pleased to report that I had no issues with this aspect of the product. The resolution is sufficient for the product’s purpose, which is to steer the nosewheel on the ground, and there is no visible dead zone.
The backlighting on the unit is very nice. While you won’t find it necessary during day-to-day operations, it immerses you in the environment during nighttime and adds to the overall realism of the unit. The backlight color is, needless to say, accurate to the backlight color in real Airbus aircraft.
Button and dimensions
The steering tiller has a single axis and a single button. At the end of the day, what else would you need? It is exactly what the real counterpart in the Airbus A3XX series aircraft offers – nothing more, nothing less. The button has a really nice feeling to it and is also backlighted. I do, however, have a small problem with it – there is too much backlash in the button, allowing for side-to-side movement, which is unfortunate. I can imagine this could be a problem in the real counterpart after some years of use, but let’s not assume that is the case.
There is no software included with the unit, and both the axis and button are easily configurable in the simulator settings. The unit does not have any pre-set bindings. Although no additional software is required to configure the unit, you will need to manually set the axis and button bindings before using it for the first time.
Regarding the dimensions, the unit is compact (not lightweight). The base is especially compact, which is overall great. The only downside is that it tends to move on the desk when not mounted properly, which we discussed in the previous section. Otherwise, I see it as a great feature as it is easier to fit into existing cockpits and setups. For those seeking realism, the IIDB Steering Tiller is a 1:1 scale replica of the real A3XX aircraft series nosewheel tiller. I am pleased to say that, despite my large hands, I was having a good time using the unit.
Conclusion
So… is this an absolutely necessary accessory?
I must admit that this one is hard. Without question, having a nosewheel tiller adds to the overall immersion of your flight simulation experience. I wouldn’t consider it an absolute must, like a joystick, throttle quadrant, and rudder pedals, but it is, without a doubt, a nice peripheral to have if you have the space in your setup and the budget, which is my main concern while writing this conclusion.
Let’s admit that $289 is a price of a premium flight simulator peripheral. The IIDB Steering Tiller is definitely a premium product, but I still find it hard to justify the price. If we put it in contrast to other peripherals, Honeycomb sells its Alpha Flight Controls for $299, which is a proper yoke system, with a number of switches and buttons. On the other hand, IIDB is presenting this as peripheral for “professional and enthusiast flight simulation setups“, so the higher price is expected in contrast to standard consumer market products.
If price isn’t a concern and you’re looking for a compact nosewheel tiller for your home setup, this is a strong contender. It’s a true-to-scale replica with excellent build quality, on par with what you’d find in professional simulators. Setup couldn’t be simpler thanks to its plug-and-play design (if you work out an alternative mounting solution to the temporary sticky pads), and the sensor delivers ideal accuracy.
You can order the Steering Tiller in both Captain and First Officer variants through IIDB’s website for $289.
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