Standard Control Stick

Certain Aerospace craft have crew controls that can be interchanged easily (often referred to as 'plug-and-play' units). This allows pilots to change from one craft to another and be assured of having the proper flight controls for their particualr number of digits and arranged for their dominant hand. Imagine the confusion if a right-handed Bajoran pilot (who has five fingers), had to suddenly take the controls of a fighter previously used by a left-handed, three-fingered Tellarite.

The joysticks follow the concept of HOTAS (Hands On Throttle And Stick) which incorporates all vital flight controls into the stick and engine controller so that the pilot never has to release the controls during combat. Each switch has a particular type of button with a unique texture, so that the pilot can confirm which control he is operating by feel alone.