Virpil VPC ATLAS FFB Base

VIRPIL Controls · Force Feedback · Flightstick Base · Pre-Order VPC ATLAS FFB Base Force feedback. Engineered properly. The ATLAS — Advanced Tactile Loading Axis System — is VIRPIL's long-awaited force feedback flightstick base. Built around a patent-applied cord drive system, custom-designed hardware anti-cogging motors, and a precision CNC metal gimbal, the ATLAS delivers 25Nm of smooth, linear, backlash-free force feedback — unlike anything currently available for flight sim. Compatible with all existing VPC grips. Official Australian and New Zealand VIRPIL Distributor 25Nmmotor torque 12kg+force at stick Zerobacklash Zerocogging 18°axis deflection 14-bitcontactless sensors Cord drivepatent applied RGBilluminated internals E-stopremote button included Upgradeableto 45Nm ATLAS Pro FFBeastsoftware collaboration 2-yearVIRPIL warranty Why the ATLAS is different Every design decision made for flight simulation. — Patent-applied Dyneema cord drive Not gear, not belt, not direct drive. VIRPIL's cord drive eliminates backlash, stepping, and parasitic tactile effects entirely — transmitting pure, smooth force from motor to gimbal via ultra-high-strength Dyneema cord. — Hardware anti-cogging motors Custom-designed motors with hardware-level anti-cogging — not just software correction. Absolute position sensors mean no recalibration on each power cycle. — Equal and linear forces in all directions Unlike belt and gear systems which can create unequal forces depending on axis direction, the cord drive outputs equal and linear FFB forces regardless of where the stick is in its travel. — Force multiplication for flightstick geometry Unlike direct-drive sim racing wheels, flightsticks have a much longer force lever and very restricted axis travel. The ATLAS applies force multiplication to compensate — giving motors more rotational resolution to produce detailed, nuanced FFB effects. — 18° axis deflection — extension friendly 18° is wider than the common 15° found on competing FFB bases — providing a better experience both with and without extensions — but not so wide that extension use becomes unergonomic. — User-replaceable cords with tension monitoring The Dyneema cords are rated for forces far beyond what the base will ever experience. Built-in cord tension monitoring and adjustment points let pilots verify and tune tension from the gimbal — and cords are user-replaceable for long-term peace of mind. — Sustained high force output Motor efficiency is a first-class design concern. Lower heat output allows maximum force to be held for minutes — where competing designs can experience thermal power reduction in seconds. — RGB-illuminated transparent panels Four transparent panels expose the mechanism with programmable RGB lighting — purely for aesthetics, or mapped to motor output level for a live visual indicator of force being applied. The drive system Cord drive — a genuinely new approach. Why Not Gear, Belt or Direct Drive? Patent-applied Dyneema cord system Gear drives produce backlash and stepping. Belt drives stretch and introduce inconsistency. Direct drive on a flightstick suffers from the restricted axis travel — the motor can't rotate enough to produce detailed force effects through the small arc a flightstick travels. VIRPIL's cord drive solves all three problems. The Dyneema cord transmits forces with zero backlash and zero stepping. Because the motors can rotate far more than in a direct drive arrangement, they have significantly more rotational resolution to produce fine-grained FFB detail — stall buffet, surface turbulence, G-loading — effects you will feel rather than just read about in a spec sheet. Zero backlash — cord transmits force directly with no play Zero cogging — hardware anti-cogging built into motor design Equal forces all directions — linear output regardless of stick position User-replaceable cords — rated orders of magnitude beyond operating load Custom motors Not off-the-shelf. Designed for this. Custom-Designed 25Nm Motors Hardware anti-cogging — not just software Most FFB products use motors designed for other applications. VIRPIL's engineers spent years researching the specific requirements for a flightstick FFB system before designing the ATLAS motors from scratch. The key differentiator is hardware-level anti-cogging — built into the motor itself — rather than relying solely on software correction that other designs use. Absolute axis position sensors maintain precise positional data even after power is removed — eliminating the recalibration requirement that plagues relative-sensor designs on every power cycle. High motor efficiency reduces heat output, letting the ATLAS sustain maximum force output over minutes rather than seconds. 25Nm output torque — 12kg+ force at the stick Hardware anti-cogging — not software-only correction Absolute position sensors — no recalibration on power cycle High efficiency design — sustained max force for minutes, not seconds The gimbal Decades of gimbal experience — now with FFB. Precision CNC Metal Gimbal — 18° Deflection Thick billet aluminium, premium bearings VIRPIL has spent years building precision gimbals for spring flightstick bases that are consistently rated among the best in flight sim. The ATLAS brings that same engineering to the FFB gimbal — machined from thick billet aluminium, riding on premium bearings, designed for ultra-smooth, ultra-precise input with no flex in the housing. Rather than reading stick position from the motors (which introduces error), the ATLAS uses VIRPIL's VPC Contactless Digital Sensors mounted directly on the gimbal — the same approach used on their spring-based bases. This guarantees positional accuracy independent of any motor or cord variation. 18° axis deflection — wider than competitors' 15° Billet aluminium construction — machined, not cast VPC Contactless Digital Sensors on the gimbal — not on the motors All-metal housing with anti-flex plate — zero structural flex Upgrade path Start at 25Nm. Upgrade to 45Nm later. ATLAS vs ATLAS Pro Optional upgrade kit — available post pre-order The ATLAS is designed from the ground up to be upgradeable. The optional ATLAS Pro Upgrade Kit adds a more advanced power module, cooling fans, and a more powerful power supply — converting your base from 25Nm to 45Nm without replacing the entire unit. Buy what you need now. Upgrade when your skills and budget allow. ATLAS 25Nm 12kg+ force at stick Standard power module ATLAS Pro — Upgrade Kit 45Nm 22kg+ force at stick Advanced power module + cooling fans ATLAS Pro Upgrade Kit available to purchase separately after the pre-order period. Not included with the ATLAS base pre-order. FFB software Built with FFBeast. Configured for flight. ATLAS FFB Software Co-developed with FFBeast experts VIRPIL developed the ATLAS software in collaboration with FFBeast — a team with extensive experience in high-power FFB configuration. The result is software that goes far beyond typical plug-and-play FFB. Virtual Cam mode — design custom cam profiles even in games with no native FFB support Force trim — mirror real aircraft trim systems in software Automatic profile loading — game-specific profiles load on launch WarBRD and MongoosT-50 presets — replicate familiar spring and cam feels with adjustable damping for pilots transitioning from spring bases In-depth force effect tweaking — adjust every FFB parameter to your exact preference Grip compatibility All your existing VPC grips. No upgrade required. Full Compatibility With Existing VPC Grip Ecosystem Old and new — all compatible One of the biggest asks from the VIRPIL community during FFB development was to maintain backward compatibility with the existing grip lineup. VIRPIL delivered — every current VPC grip and extension, old and new, is fully compatible with the ATLAS. If you already own a VPC grip, it works. No new purchases required. All VPC Constellation grips — ALPHA Series, DELTA All MongoosT-50 Series grips VPC WarBRD, V.F.X., FLNKR, SharKa-50, Hawk-60, Dual-SF Thrustmaster Warthog, F/A-18C, Cougar All VPC extensions — 50mm, 75mm, 100mm, 200mm S-Curve, Z-Extension Safety Serious force. Serious safety. Remote Emergency Stop Button — Included Instant motor cut-off, always within reach 22kg of force through a flightstick is powerful — and that means a safety cut-off is non-negotiable. Every ATLAS ships with a dedicated remote emergency stop button, designed to be mounted in a convenient, always-accessible position in your cockpit. Press it and all motor force output cuts instantly. A small detail that reflects serious engineering intent. Mounting VPC Universal Simpit Frame — coming before shipping. Designed Alongside the ATLAS Two variants — chair frame and flight seat Mounting high-power FFB properly requires a rigid, fixed structure — a desk alone is not suitable. VIRPIL's R&D team designed the VPC Universal Simpit Frame specifically driven by the ATLAS development. Compact, strong, and affordable, with two planned variants: one wraps around a standard office chair, the second pairs with a dedicated VIRPIL Controls flight seat. Target availability is before the ATLAS begins shipping. Variant 1 — frame around a standard office chair Variant 2 — advanced setup with dedicated VIRPIL flight seat Compatible with the full VPC device range — not just the ATLAS Target availability — before ATLAS shipping begins Performance data Real numbers. No best-case-only marketing. VIRPIL publish full performance charts across different setup configurations — not just the peak figure. The kilogram force chart shows force output across the full axis travel; the axis travel chart maps deflection range. Both ATLAS and ATLAS Pro figures included. Kilogram Force Chart Force output across axis travel — ATLAS vs ATLAS Pro. Demonstrates the linear force output and the force multiplication advantage of the cord drive system. Axis Travel Chart 18° axis deflection range compared to competing FFB bases. Wider than the common 15° — designed to be comfortable with or without extensions. Compatible grips Works with all your existing VPC grips. No new grips required. The ATLAS is compatible with every current VPC grip and extension — click any grip below to view its full listing. VPC Constellation ALPHA Prime [R] Right-hand grip → VPC Constellation ALPHA Prime [L] Left-hand grip → VPC Constellation DELTA Grip Legacy product VPC WarBRD Grip Legacy product VPC V.F.X Grip Legacy product VPC MongoosT-50 Series Grip Legacy product VPC FLNKR Grip Flightstick grip → VPC SharKa-50 Collective Grip Collective grip → VPC Hawk-60 Collective Grip Collective grip → VPC Dual-SF Collective Grip Collective grip → Thrustmaster Grips Warthog · F/A-18C · Cougar* * Remove the 2 bolts holding the female grip connector when attaching Thrustmaster grips, to prevent connector damage; refer to the user manual. The Constellation DELTA, WarBRD, V.F.X and MongoosT-50 Series grips are legacy (discontinued) VIRPIL products. Thrustmaster Warthog, F/A-18C and Cougar grips are also compatible. Technical specifications VPC ATLAS FFB Base — full spec sheet SKUVPC-115-001 Drive systemCord drive (Dyneema) — patent applied Motor torque output25Nm (ATLAS) / 45Nm (ATLAS Pro) Force at stick12kg+ (ATLAS) / 22kg+ (ATLAS Pro) BacklashNone CoggingNone — hardware anti-cogging Motor position sensorsAbsolute (no recalibration on power cycle) Axis position sensorsVPC Contactless Digital — gimbal-mounted Sensor resolution14-bit / 0.02° angle detection Axis deflection18° (each axis) Gimbal materialThick billet aluminium — CNC machined HousingAll-metal with anti-flex plate IlluminationProgrammable RGB — 4 transparent panels Emergency stopRemote button — included Cord replacementUser-replaceable — tension monitoring built in Upgrade pathATLAS Pro Kit — available post pre-order SoftwareATLAS FFB Software (co-developed with FFBeast) Grip compatibilityAll VPC grips + TM Warthog, F/A-18C, Cougar ConnectivityUSB Warranty2 years (VIRPIL) ManufacturedLithuania, EU AvailabilityPre-order — shipping estimate late Q4 2026 What's included In the box VPC ATLAS FFB Flightstick Base Remote Emergency Stop Button USB cable Hex keys Quick start guide Grip not included. ATLAS Pro Upgrade Kit sold separately after pre-order period. VPC Universal Simpit Frame sold separately (future release). Common questions Frequently asked questions What makes the ATLAS cord drive different from other FFB systems? Most FFB flightstick bases use gear, belt, or direct drive systems — each with known drawbacks. Gear drives create backlash and stepping. Belt drives introduce inconsistency as they stretch. Direct drive, while popular in sim racing, doesn't suit a flightstick's restricted axis travel — the motor can't rotate enough to produce fine-grained FFB effects through the small arc a stick travels. VIRPIL's Dyneema cord drive (patent applied) eliminates backlash and stepping entirely, applies force multiplication to give the motors significantly more rotational resolution through the stick's travel, and produces equal and linear forces in all directions — something no gear or belt system can claim. What is hardware anti-cogging and why does it matter? Cogging is a phenomenon in electric motors where the magnets interact with the stator poles to create a regular, step-like resistance as the motor rotates — you can feel it as a slight grittiness or pulsing. Most FFB products address cogging purely in software, which improves but doesn't eliminate the effect. The ATLAS uses hardware-level anti-cogging built into the motor's physical design, which eliminates cogging at the source — producing completely smooth, grain-free force output that software correction alone cannot match. Do I need to buy new grips for the ATLAS? No — the ATLAS is compatible with all current VPC grips and VPC extensions, including the Constellation ALPHA and DELTA, MongoosT-50 Series, WarBRD, V.F.X., FLNKR, SharKa-50, Hawk-60, and Dual-SF grips. It also supports Thrustmaster Warthog, F/A-18C, and Cougar grips. If you already own a VPC or TM grip, it works with the ATLAS. What is the ATLAS Pro Upgrade Kit and when will it be available? The ATLAS Pro Upgrade Kit converts your ATLAS from 25Nm to 45Nm output (12kg to 22kg of force at the stick) by adding a more advanced power module, cooling fans, and a more powerful power supply. The kit will be available to purchase separately after the pre-order period is complete. It is not included with the ATLAS base pre-order — it is an optional future upgrade. What does the Virtual Cam feature in the ATLAS software do? Virtual Cam lets you design custom spring and centering force profiles in software — simulating the effect of different cam shapes — even in games that have no native FFB support. If you fly a game that doesn't send FFB signals, Virtual Cam applies your chosen force profile passively, giving you a customised feel rather than a dead, forceless stick. This is a significant capability that goes well beyond what any mechanical cam-and-spring system can offer. How do I secure the ATLAS? What mounting is required? High-force FFB requires a rigid, fixed mounting point — a desk alone is generally not suitable. VIRPIL is developing the VPC Universal Simpit Frame specifically to address this, with two planned variants (office chair frame and dedicated flight seat). The frame is targeted to be available before the ATLAS begins shipping. Standard cockpit frame mounting patterns are also supported. Call us on 0488 385 870 to discuss your mounting situation before ordering. What games and sims work with the ATLAS FFB? The ATLAS works as a standard USB input device in all sims. For native FFB effects, DCS World has excellent FFB support — you will feel stall buffet, G-loading, and control surface forces directly through the stick. Microsoft Flight Simulator has FFB support. IL-2 Sturmovik supports FFB. For games without native FFB, the ATLAS software's Virtual Cam mode lets you apply a custom force profile regardless. The ATLAS software team is committed to expanding FFB effect support over time through software updates. What is the pre-order structure and how does payment work? The pre-order requires a 50% deposit now, with the remaining 50% balance charged when your unit is ready to ship. The current pre-order price is €599.95 (AUD equivalent TBC). RRP after pre-order is €699.95. Estimated shipping window is late Q4 2026. As the official Australian VIRPIL distributor, Player1 Sim Gear handles the entire pre-order process locally — call us on 0488 385 870 to place your pre-order. Is the ATLAS covered by warranty in Australia? Yes — all VIRPIL products are backed by a 2-year manufacturer warranty. As the official Australian and New Zealand VIRPIL distributor, Player1 Sim Gear handles warranty claims locally — no international returns required. You are also covered by Australian Consumer Law. Call 0488 385 870 if you have any issues. How does the ATLAS compare to other FFB flightstick bases on the market? The main competitors use gear or belt drive systems which introduce backlash and stepping, or direct drive which struggles with the restricted axis travel of a flightstick. The ATLAS cord drive addresses all of these limitations simultaneously. At 25Nm (upgradeable to 45Nm), it also sits at the high end of the force output range. VIRPIL's decades of precision gimbal manufacturing experience, the use of contactless digital sensors on the gimbal itself (not on the motors), hardware anti-cogging motors, and the FFBeast software collaboration place the ATLAS as a genuinely engineering-first approach to flight sim FFB rather than an adaptation of sim racing technology. Build the full experience Complete your sim cockpit Pair the ATLAS with a compatible VPC grip, throttle, rudder pedals, and cockpit frame for the full immersive FFB flight sim experience. 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