For years, the flight simulation hardware market has been bifurcated by a frustrating gap in the options for rudder pedals. On one end, you had affordable but plasticky pedals that slid across the floor and suffered from dreaded ‘stiction.’ On the other, you had high-quality pendular systems that cost an arm and a leg. If you wanted the realistic sensation of a suspended mechanism where the pedals swing rather than slide, you usually had to pay a high price to get it.
Now, Moza Racing is hoping to shake things up. Known primarily for shaking up sim racing with direct-drive wheels, the company has aggressively pivoted into flight simulation. And now, with the release of the Moza MRP Rudder Pedals, they are trying to democratize high-end pedal mechanics. By bringing a pendulum-style “swing arm” mechanism to a price point that undercuts the market leaders, Moza is posing a serious question to the community: Do you really need to spend nearly $600 for professional-grade footwork?
Based on my early impressions with the review unit Moza kindly provided me, the answer seems to be a resounding “no.” Moza’s latest offering appears to be a heavy-hitting mid-range disruptor that punches significantly above its weight class.
Build like a tank
If there is one thing you’ll immediately notice with the MRP pedals, it’s their sheer mass. Weighing in at roughly 8 kilograms (17.6 lbs), these are not peripherals that you can easily kick around under your desk. This weight is a deliberate design choice, addressing one of the most common complaints in flight simulation: pedals that refuse to stay put.
Constructed almost entirely from aluminum alloy, the unit exudes a sense of industrial durability that is rarely seen in the sub-$400 price bracket. Unlike competitors that rely on plastic housings or lightweight composite rails, Moza has opted for an open-frame, all-metal architecture. The only significant plastic components are the heel rests, a concession that seems negligible given the structural rigidity of the main chassis.
This “built like a tank” attitude serves a functional purpose beyond durability. The heavy base provides a natural anchor, allowing the operation of the pedals on carpet without them sliding away, a notorious issue for users of lighter alternatives like the Logitech or Thrustmaster TFRP sets. While the pedals do include rubber feet for hard floors, the sheer inertia of the unit does half the work of keeping them stationary.
Pendular rudder pedals
The defining feature of the MRPs is what Moza calls the “Precision Swing Arm” design. In traditional entry-level pedals, the footpads slide back and forth on rails. This linear motion often leads to friction and uneven resistance. In contrast, Moza’s design uses a suspended mechanism where the pedals swing in an arc, similar to the controls found in many real-world aircraft.
This mechanism fundamentally changes the muscle memory required to fly. Instead of pushing “out,” you push the pedal in a natural, pendular motion. This results in a significantly smoother travel with zero center detent “clunkiness.” The sensation is linear and fluid, allowing for the kind of micro-corrections needed to keep a tail-dragger straight on takeoff or to crab a 737 into a crosswind landing.
Visually, the design is distinct, if a bit ‘aggressive.’ They look a bit ‘sci-fi’ to me, and I have to say the aesthetic doesn’t completely convince me. I’d prefer something looking a little more like real-world pedals. It is wide, measuring approximately 54 cm (21 inches) across. Initially, this seemed to be too wide for a standard under-desk setup, but it’s actually more authentic. The MRPs closely mimic the wider ergonomic stance found in Boeing and Airbus cockpits, providing better leverage and control authority.
Adjustability and the hydraulic damper
Moza has clearly designed the MRPs to be tinkered with. The pedals offer a degree of physical customization that is usually reserved for much more expensive kit. You can adjust the pedal angle to suit a low-slung fighter cockpit or a more upright general aviation seat. The spring tension is also user-configurable, with the ability to swap springs to dial in the resistance.
However, the most distinct aspect of the MRP’s adjustability is the optional hydraulic damper.
Out of the box, the pedals operate on a spring-return system. While this is perfectly functional, Moza offers an upgrade kit: a hydraulic damper that adds viscous resistance to the movement. This is where the physics of flight simulation come into play. A spring wants to snap back to the center; a hydraulic damper resists movement, simulating the heavy, hydraulic feel of control surfaces fighting against air pressure.
For helicopter pilots and serious simmers, the effects of this damper is really cool. It adds a “weighty” feel that prevents the pedals from oscillating too quickly, making hovering a helicopter or coordinating a turn feel substantially more organic. Sadly, it’s not included in the box, but at around $65 the total package remains competitively priced against rivals that don’t offer damping at all.
One cable to rule them all
Moza is borrowing a page from its sim racing playbook by creating a unified ecosystem for flight simmers. The MRP pedals are designed to integrate seamlessly with Moza’s existing flight bases, such as the excellent AB9 and the smaller AB6. Through a dedicated port, the pedals can connect directly to the flight stick base, so you only need a single USB cable to connect to the PC.
For simmers battling a nest of wires behind their desks, this is a nice quality-of-life improvement. It also simplifies software management. The Moza Cockpit App serves as a unified control center where users can calibrate dead zones, adjust output curves, and update firmware for all connected devices.
As we’ve seen with the AB9 base and flight sticks, the software experience here is robust, with an universal app that allows for granular control over the braking axis and rudder response in the particular case of the rudder pedals. This is particularly important for the toe brakes, which make use of high-resolution sensors. Being able to tweak the sensitivity curve ensures that you can apply differential braking smoothly rather than locking up the wheels the moment you tap the pedal.
In flight
So, how does this translate to the simulator?
In scenarios demanding high precision, such as taxiing a nose-heavy aircraft or holding the centerline during a takeoff roll, the smoothness of the swing arm mechanism shines. The mechanical friction that plagues slider-based pedals is virtually non-existent here. This allows for true “toetip” precision.
That fluidity remains noticeable once you are in the air, particularly during crosswind approaches. Maintaining a crab angle often requires holding the rudder deflected for extended periods while making tiny corrections. On slider-based units, the pedals can feel ‘sticky’ in these positions, but the MRPs allow you to modulate that pressure without fighting the mechanism.
I also have to mention the toe brakes, which are often an afterthought. Moza has tuned the springs here to offer progressive resistance rather than a linear, toy-like feel. It gives you enough feedback to apply differential braking smoothly, helping you tighten a turn on the taxiway without locking up a wheel.
The verdict: a new mid-range king?
The Moza MRP Rudder Pedals arrive to occupy a fascinating space in the market. Priced around $350 USD (plus the optional damper), they are significantly more expensive than entry-level Logitech gear but undercut the high-end Thrustmaster TPR.
They seem to be targeting the “graduating” simmer who is tired of plastic toys but isn’t quite ready to drop $600+ on professional training equipment. And this puts them in direct competition with the Honeycomb Charlie pedals. While the Charlies offer a more traditional aviation aesthetic that fits perfectly in a GA cockpit, Moza has opted for a mechanical advantage. By offering a full metal construction and a pendular mechanism, rather than the belt-driven sliders found in the Honeycomb unit, Moza has effectively created a new benchmark for what we should expect in the mid-range category.
Are they perfect? The lack of Force Feedback is a missed opportunity, especially given Moza’s expertise in FFB motors for their flight sticks and racing wheels. Additionally, the separation of the damper into a paid add-on stings slightly for those looking for an all-in-one package.
However, for the simmer looking to retire their sliding plastic pedals and step into the world of precision metal hardware, the MRPs represent a massive leap forward in quality and immersion. Ultimately, the MRPs prove that Moza is playing a long game in flight simulation, focusing on solid mechanical value to earn their spot alongside the industry’s more established names.
