TechnologyAugust 19, 2026
sidestick
SYDE-stik
Definition
A small, joystick-like control device located to the side of a pilot's seat, used to steer an aircraft in systems where traditional mechanical control columns are replaced by fly-by-wire technology.
Etymology
The word is a compound of 'side' (referring to its position beside the pilot) and 'stick' (referring to the manual control lever). It emerged in aviation terminology to describe the compact input devices used in modern fly-by-wire cockpits.
In the news
The article explains that Airbus replaced the traditional control column with a sidestick on its fly-by-wire aircraft, such as the A350, to provide more room and visibility in the cockpit.
Here's What Pilots Notice First When Switching Between The Airbus A350 & Boeing 787 Cockpits
Read the full article ↗Simple Flying