Simple HOTAS Rudder pedals

# T-Style Rudder Pedals for Helicopter Sims (3D-printable)

Compact, low-profile rudder pedals with a T-style linkage, inspired by the kinematics

of the VKB T-Rudder. Almost everything is 3D-printed and mounted on a wooden base board.

How it works

- Both pedal arms pivot on a shared M8 axle at the front of a central housing (like gas pedals).

- Flexible TPU links connect the arms to a rocker behind the axle. The links are only loaded

in tension, so no ball joints are needed. Push left, and the right pedal comes back.

- A gear sector on the rocker drives a 16 mm potentiometer (5.6:1). The rocker turns ±14°,

so the pot turns about ±78°.

- No centering springs, like in a real helicopter. The pedals stay where you leave them.

- The pedals follow the profile of the arm ends, with grip ribs and an outer lip.

Separate heel rests are screwed to the board.

Printed parts

- PETG or PLA (4–5 walls, 40 % infill): housing, lid, rocker, pinion, arm + arm_left,

pedal + pedal_left, 2× heel

- PETG or PLA (100 % infill): spacers (6 inner-race washers + 6 outer rings for the bearings)

- TPU 95A or harder (40% infill): 2× link

- All parts are oriented for printing without supports.

Hardware

- 6× 608 bearings

- M8 threaded rod, about 140 mm, + 2 lock nuts (pedal axle)

- M8×45 bolt + nut (rocker)

- 4× M6×25 socket head screws + nuts (pedals)

- 2× M4×20 and 2× M4×25 + nuts (TPU links)

- 6× M3×12 (lid), 4 mm wood screws

- 16 mm potentiometer, 10k linear, with 6 mm knurled shaft

- Wooden board, about 360 × 380 mm (drilling template included as board.dxf)

Notes

- Print the fit test first to check the press fit of the pinion on your pot shaft.

- Tighten the axle nuts only until there is no side play. The arms must still move freely.

- Mount the pot and tighten its nut before pressing on the pinion.