Most of us have had that dream in which we’re flying through the sky, marveling at the clear blue skies and limitless vistas as we watch cities pass by below. Or maybe you’ve had that dream where you’re strapped into the cockpit of a fighter plane, tearing through the sky as you pursue the enemy. With a flight stick, you can recreate both of those dreams on your Mac with such flight sims as the tranquil X-Plane and the white-knuckle air combat games WarBirds and FlyBoys Squadron.

Some games, such as World War II Online: Battleground Europe and Star Wars: Battlefront, include the ability to fly aircraft and spaceships in addition to the option to fight on foot or drive other vehicles. If you want to take the role of a pilot while playing one of them, a flight stick will come in handy.

Flight sticks evolved from the basic joysticks found on all early arcade machines and home console systems. These days, they bristle with buttons that you can map to a variety of functions, as well as a throttle you can use to control your air speed with precision.

A solid flight stick is the Logitech Force 3D Pro, a force feedback joystick that allows you to feel the rush — turbulence, touchdown, recoil, and crashes.

Hardcore flight sim fans should explore the solutions available from CH Products. Their Pro Pedals, for example, allow you to simulate realistic rudder motion in flight sims (as well as use them as gas and brake pedals in racing games). Add in their Flight Sim Yoke and you’ll forget you’re sitting in front of your Mac. You’re really gliding through the sky, marveling at the lush landscape below and the golden horizon ahead.