Pro Flight Trainer is getting ready to release a new grip, similar to the one you can find in Airbus helicopters such as the H125, H135, H145, and H160, for example.

The grip will be customizable and 2 different versions will be available: Standard and SnapAction.

The Standard version will bring buttons, button support, and trigger made out of metal, regular caps size in red or black, mini cap size in red or black, optional button or toggle, and two customizable hats with stadium, trim, or castle style.

Pro Flight Trainer Puma X A-Style Grip

The SnapAction version is a step up from the Standard and will offer high contact force and short contact bounce which results from the snap-action mechanism, double break switching mechanism with incredibly fast transfer time, reducing arcing and increasing contact life.

The buttons on this version have a mechanical life beyond MIL-PRF-8805 requirements and were designed for real cockpit applications. The regular-sized caps can be red or black and you can add an optional button or toggle, with a choice among multiple toggle options. And, like the previous version, you can have 2 custom hats with stadium, trim, or castle style.

All push buttons can be customized. The top hat converts to 3 hats with a “shift” system, which means you can have 4 hats on the cyclic. Both hats also have push functionality.

Both versions can be used with your current Pro Flight Trainer Puma X (or X2), which is the 5th generation of the PFT Puma, so you can either go with the grip that resembles the one used in Bell helicopters, and that PFT calls the B-Style Puma X (“B” for Bell?), or the new one, that resembles the one used in Airbus helicopters, the A-Style Puma X (“A” as in Airbus?). And, of course, the A-Style Puma X SnapAction.

The A-Style Puma X comes with a metal tube, similar to the one you can find on the H135, and fasteners for the Puma X (5th generation). The Standard version will cost you US$199 + shipping. As for the SnapAction version, the price is US$349 + shipping.

Pro Flight Trainer Puma X with A-Style Grip

If you would like to acquire a full Pro Flight Trainer Puma X with the new grip (cyclic, collective, and pedals), you will be able to US$1,499 + shipping, for the Standard grip. If you’re interested in the full kit with the SnapAction grip, that is going to cost you US$1,649 + shipping.

Confusing? I admit it may be a bit so here’s a resume.

Grips (grip + metal tube + fasteners):

  • Pro Flight Trainer Puma X A-Style Grip
    • Regular price (post-launch) US$249 + shipping
    • Special launch price: US$199 + shipping
  • Pro Flight Trainer Puma X A-Style SnapAction Grip
    • Regular price (post-launch) US$399 + shipping
    • Special launch price: US$349 + shipping

Full kits (full Pro Flight Trainer Puma X with collective, pedals, and cyclic with the new grip):

  • Pro Flight Trainer Puma X FULL KIT with the A-Style Grip
    • Regular price (post-launch): US$1,549 + shipping
    • Special launch price: US$1,499 + shipping
  • Pro Flight Trainer Puma X FULL KIT with the A-Style SnapAction Grip
    • Regular price (post-lanch): US$1,699 + shipping
    • Special launch price: US$1,649 + shipping

Pro Flight Trainer will start accepting orders later this month (October 2023) and you will be able to customize your grip on their website. The A-Style grip looks very interesting and adds a lot more functionality to your Pro Flight Trainer kit.

Expect a review as soon as I get one of these units.