Controller:Saitek X-56 H.O.T.A.S. System

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Saitek X-56 H.O.T.A.S System

XInput support
Connection method
USB-A
Predecessor
Saitek X-55 Rhino H.O.T.A.S. System

The Saitek X-56 H.O.T.A.S. System is a flight controller released by Saitek on March 31, 2016.

The X-56 is identical to its predecessor, the X-55, but with small upgrades; The X-56 replaced two buttons with two mini analog sticks (one on the flight stick and on the throttle). The X-56 also has RGB backlights. Other features carried over from the X-55, such as four swappable stick springs, twin throttle with throttle lock, base control with 7 toggles and 2 rotaries, adjustable throttle tension and profile dial, were retained.

However, because the X-56 is identical the X-55, it is not without issues; It suffer from a issue on the flight stick where it would slack, and the flight controller is power-hungry, requiring two powered USB ports. It is also susceptible to electrostatic discharge (ESD).

2 years after Logitech acquired Saitek from Mad Catz on September 15, 2016, the X-56 have been relaunched as the Logitech X56 H.O.T.A.S on February 17, 2018. The new version was redesigned to be less susceptible to ESD, as well long-lasting and reliable twist spring.

The X-56 is supported in games that natively supported it, but requires the X56 Space/Flight H.O.T.A.S. Software driver to be installed to work. Because both the flight stick and throttle requires full electrical power from the USB connection, it is not recommended to connect them to a passive USB hub.

General Information

Saitek version

Logitech version

Flight stick inputs

• 1 × joystick grip with X, Y, and Rz axes
• 3 × 4-way HATs on the grip
• 3 × digital face buttons on the grip
• 1 × digital trigger on the grip
• 1 × flying pinkie on the grip
• 1 × analog stick on the grip

Throttle inputs

• 1 × split-type throttle handle with throttle lock
• 2 × rotary encoders on the base
• 7 × toggle switch on the base
• 1 × throttle tension knob on the base
• 1 × 2-position slider on the throttle handle
• 2 × rotary encoders with inset buttons on the throttle handle
• 1 × rotary encoder on the throttle handle
• 1 × analog stick on the throttle handle
• 1 × 2-way HAT on the throttle handle
• 3 × digital face buttons on the throttle handle

Controller variations

Logitech X56 H.O.T.A.S.

The Saitek Pro Flight X-56 Rhino H.O.T.A.S System is the model by Saitek during the time as a subsidiary company of Mad Catz.

The Logitech X56 H.O.T.A.S is the Logitech-branded model, released two years after the company's acquisition of Saitek from Mad Catz. It superseded the Saitek-branded model.

Use with PC platforms

MacOS and Linux are not supported.

Windows

Windows 10 and Windows 11 detect the flying stick and throttle of the X-56 as "Saitek Pro Flight X-56 Rhino Stick" and "Saitek Pro Flight X-56 Rhino Throttle" respectively, but is unusable without additional software.

X56 Space/Flight H.O.T.A.S. Software

Included software that come with the driver. Driver can be downloaded here: 32-bit and 64-bit.

Sensitivity, dead zones, button mapping can be adjusted.

Unlike the Logitech Gaming Software and Logitech G Hub, the H.O.T.A.S software is incapable of switching profiles upon detection of the game.

Other information

Technical information

Flying Stick: device name: Saitek Pro Flight X-56 Rhino Stick, HWID: 0738:2221

Throttle: device name: Saitek Pro Flight X-56 Rhino Throttle, HWID: 0738:A221