Using a Joystick Page 1 of 5
Using a Joystick
Setting up and adjusting your controller
Flight Simulator is most realistic when you use a joystick, yoke, or other controller.
You can fly more precisely, and the buttons and controls make it easy to change RELATED LINKS
views, adjust the throttle, extend or retract the landing gear and flaps, and operate
other aircraft controls. Changing Key Assignments
Controller Troubleshooting
Flight Simulator is compatible with joysticks, yokes, game pads, and other Basics
controllers supported by Microsoft Windows and the DirectInput device standard.
Use the device that works best for you as your primary control, and customize it to Advanced Controller
suit your needs. Many products feature different configurations, so refer to your Troubleshooting
controller's documentation for its button assignments. Expanding Your Hobby
Before you fly, make sure your joystick or other controller is: Using the Keyboard
Using the Mouse
Plugged into your computer.
Enabled in Microsoft Windows Control Panel.
Calibrated properly (see Calibrating Your Joystick).
Also make sure you have the latest device drivers. If in doubt, download and install them from the manufacturer's Web
site.
Joystick Commands
Extreme Control
Depending on your joystick, you'll probably have buttons for frequently To make your Flight Simulator
used controls and for cockpit views, but you'll still need to use the mouse or experience even more realistic,
keyboard for other functions. consider adding yokes, rudder
pedals, throttle quadrants, and radio
stacks. To learn more, see
Expanding Your Hobby.
1. (Trigger) release brakes
2. Cycle views
3. Elevator trim down
4. Elevator trim up
5. Extend flaps
6. Retract flaps
7. Drop objects
8. Landing gear up/down
9. (Hat switch) Look around
10. Throttle control
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Here's a list of the default joystick commands:
Action Command
Apply/release brakes Button 1 (trigger)
Cycle views (Cockpit, Tower, Track, Spot) Button 2
Elevator trim down Button 3
Elevator trim up Button 4
Extend flaps Button 5
Retract flaps Button 6
Drop objects Button 7
Landing gear up/down Button 8
Bank left (ailerons) Move stick left
Bank right (ailerons) Move stick right
Pitch down (elevator) Move stick forward
Pitch up (elevator) Move stick backward
Yaw left (rudder) Twist stick left
Yaw right (rudder) Twist stick right
Look ahead/right Move hat switch up/right
Look right Move hat switch right
Look back/right Move hat switch down/right
Look back Move hat switch down
Look back/left Move hat switch down/left
Look left Move hat switch left
Look ahead/left Move hat switch up/left
Look up Move hat switch up
Customizing Joystick Assignments
Change the control assignments to customize the joystick use to suit your flying style.
To change joystick button commands
1. On the Options menu, point to Settings, then
click Controls.
2. Click the Buttons/Keys tab.
3. Select either the Normal or Slew Mode option,
depending on which mode you want to change
commands for.
4. In the Event category list, choose the category
of events that you want to set.
For example, select Autopilot commands to
customize the commands for the autopilot. Your
selection determines what appears in the
Assignment list below, which lists events and
their corresponding key and joystick commands.
5. In the Assignment list, select the event that
you want to set to a different joystick button.
6. Click Change Assignment to choose a new
joystick button assignment for the event you've
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selected.
The Select Assignment dialog box will open.
7. Press the joystick button that you want to use for
the selected event. If the button is currently
being used and you don't want to replace it, click
the Clear button.
8. Click OK.
9. Make any additional changes you want using
steps 3 through 8 above.
10. Click OK.
To change joystick axes
1. On the Options menu, point to Settings, then
click Controls.
2. Click the Joystick Axes tab.
3. Select either the Normal or Slew Mode option,
depending on which mode you want to change
commands for.
4. In the Assignment list, select the event that
you want to set to a different joystick axis.
5. Click Change Assignment to choose a new
joystick axis for the event you've selected.
The Select Assignment dialog box will open.
6. Move the joystick axis that you want to use for
the selected event. If the axis is currently being
used and you don't want to replace it, click the
Clear button.
7. Click OK.
8. Make any additional changes you want using
steps 3 through 8 above.
9. Click OK.
Calibrating Your Joystick
Resetting and Deleting
Assignments
If your joystick seems to be behaving erratically, you may need to calibrate
it. To remove a control assignment
from a command you've selected,
click the Delete Assignment
button on the Buttons/Keys or
Joystick Axes tab.
To cancel any changes you've made
to your controller assignments and
return to the Flight Simulator default
settings, click the Reset Defaults
button.
You can calibrate your joystick in the
Windows Game Controllers dialog box
To calibrate your joystick
1. Make sure your joystick is plugged in and
installed according to the manufacturer's
instructions.
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2. On the Options menu, point to Settings, and
then choose Controls.
3. Click the Calibrate tab.
4. Click Calibrate.
5. On the Settings tab follow the instructions
onscreen.
Adjusting Joystick Sensitivity
Flight Simulator's preset sensitivity for joysticks is in the middle of the range, and the response rate is average. You can
adjust these sensitivities; experiment to find the setting you like best.
"Sensitivity" refers to how sensitive the joystick is for a given axis. For example, with high sensitivity, the slightest
movement of the joystick will have a large effect on the aircraft's controls in Flight Simulator.
"Null Zone" refers to how much "dead space" there is in a given joystick axis center position. For example, with a large
null zone, you will be able to move the joystick slightly before it has an effect on the aircraft's controls in Flight
Simulator.
To adjust the sensitivity of your joystick
1. Make sure your joystick is plugged in and
installed according to the manufacturer's
instructions.
2. On the Options menu, point to Settings, then
click Controls.
3. Click the Calibrate tab.
4. To adjust the sensitivity for all axes
simultaneously, click the Simple option, then
drag the Sensitivities-all axes and Null zones-
all axes sliders to the settings you want.
-or-
To adjust the sensitivity for each for each axis
separately, click the Advanced option, then
select each axis and drag its Sensitivity and
Null zone sliders to the settings you want.
5. Click OK.
Note
To reset all sensitivity options to their default values, click the Reset Defaults button.
Adjusting Joystick Forces
If you are using a force-feedback joystick, you can enable or disable any or all force-feedback options:
Control surfaces: When moving the rudder, elevator, and ailerons, you'll feel control surface forces.
Stick shaker: If you exceed the maximum speed in a jet, the controller will shake.
Crashes: If you crash, you'll feel it in the controller.
Ground surfaces: As you roll across the ramp, taxiway, and runway, you'll feel the bumps through the
controller.
Retractable landing gear: When you retract the landing gear, you'll feel it through the controller.
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If you have a force-feedback joystick, you can adjust the
forces in the Controls Forces dialog box
To adjust joystick forces
1. On the Options menu, point to Settings, then
click Controls.
2. Click the Forces tab.
3. Select or clear the desired force feedback
options.
4. Click OK.
Note
To disable all force feedback options, clear the Enable force feedback checkbox on the Forces tab.
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