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Primary control surfaces for roll and pitch are controlled either by a wheel (C-172, Concorde, ...) or by a center-stick (mirage 2000, most gliders, ...). Wheel tend to be used for bigger aircraft. E.g. I don't know any airliner fitted with a center stick.

What is the biggest aircraft (highest MTOW) fitted with a center-stick? (Airbus style side-stick are excluded.)

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  • $\begingroup$ You have for some reason omitted sidesticks from the (original) first paragraph of you question. They are a very common control interface, therefore you cannot just say ...roll and pitch are controlled either by a wheel or by a center stick. $\endgroup$
    – Jpe61
    Commented Feb 25, 2020 at 7:31
  • $\begingroup$ When you exclude Airbus-style, do you mean FBW is not permitted? Or is it just the location of the stick that matters? $\endgroup$
    – user14897
    Commented Feb 25, 2020 at 8:01
  • $\begingroup$ @ymb1 i was first thinking of joystick, but given my initial wording and the fact that an answer already exists I think the location matters more (i.e. space shuttle's input are not excluded) $\endgroup$
    – Manu H
    Commented Feb 25, 2020 at 11:01

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The biggest I can find is at 585,000 lb the C-17 has a center stick but depending on what you mean by "airbus style" this may be disqualified.

Other contenders:

  • The SR-71 had a MTOW of 172,000 lb and had a center stick
  • If you consider the time it spent in the atmosphere as qualifications for "aircraft" at 240,000 lb the Space Shuttle had a center stick
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  • $\begingroup$ By biggest, I mean highest MTOW. For the space shuttle such value is irrelevant as she doesn't take off from a runway. $\endgroup$
    – Manu H
    Commented Feb 25, 2020 at 7:24
  • $\begingroup$ @ManuH i have updated to reflect, i left the shuttle MTOW since it is an officially listed value but your point is noted. $\endgroup$
    – Dave
    Commented Feb 25, 2020 at 7:26

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