Manual steering column

Multiple realities

(covers information from several alternate timelines)

The manual steering column aboard the NX-class Enterprise NX-01, in 2152

The manual steering columns aboard the Delta Flyer II, in 2376

The manual steering column, also known as a joystick or control stick, was a flight control option used aboard aircraft and some spacecraft that was capable of providing fine manual piloting control in situations where the normal helm controls were not precise enough, or in some cases, preferred by the pilot over conventional push button or touch interfaces. (VOY: "Drive")

Steering columns have been used on Earth since the earliest days of aviation, all the way up through the 22nd, 23rd, and 24th centuries in United Earth and United Federation of Planets operated spacecraft, and could be found at the ship's helm station, or in some cases, the ship captain's chair. (ENT: "Breaking the Ice"; DIS: "The Vulcan Hello"; Star Trek; Star Trek III: The Search for Spock; Star Trek: Insurrection; LD: "Envoys", "Old Friends, New Planets")

The term "manual-control joystick" comes from the script of "Awakening". A prop named "Bridge Flight Stick" was later sold off on the It's A Wrap! sale and auction on eBay. [1]^(X)

The idea of a starship having a manual steering column was invented for Star Trek: Insurrection, thought up by Rick Berman. Director Jonathan Frakes noted, "He thought this would appeal to the youth audience." (audio commentary, Star Trek: Insurrection 2010 DVD/Blu-ray)

In the novelization of Star Trek, Hikaru Sulu used a manual steering column to fly the USS Enterprise during the Battle of Earth, whereas he commands the ship from the helm in the film.

External links

• Yoke (aeronautics) at Wikipedia
• Joystick at Wikipedia