How do I set Airbus throttle detents in FSX with FSUIPC?

To configure Airbus throttle detents with FSUIPC in FSX or FSX: Steam Edition, remove duplicate FSX throttle assignments, map each lever to its own FSUIPC throttle axis, calibrate reverse, idle and maximum, then define CL, FLX/MCT and TOGA through the aircraft add-on’s calibration or documented FSUIPC range controls.

FSUIPC does not create Airbus detent logic by itself. Its standard calibration establishes reverse, an idle zone and maximum thrust. Intermediate detents must be recognised by the aircraft add-on, or associated with add-on-specific controls through FSUIPC. The default FSX Airbus A321 does not model the full Airbus detent-based autothrust system.

Which FSUIPC throttle axis mode should I use?

The correct axis mode depends on how the aircraft obtains its throttle input. Avoid calibrating the same lever in both FSUIPC and the aircraft unless the add-on explicitly requires it.

FSX and FSX: Steam Edition use FSUIPC4. If it does not appear under the simulator’s Add-ons menu, follow our FSX-specific FSUIPC installation procedure before changing any controller assignments.

How do I configure separate Airbus throttle axes in FSUIPC?

1. Check the quadrant in Windows. Confirm that each lever is detected as a separate axis, reaches both ends and moves steadily. FSUIPC cannot correct an axis that is missing or electrically unstable.
2. Remove duplicate FSX bindings. Open FSX controller settings, select every connected controller and remove throttle-axis assignments for the levers being managed by FSUIPC. Check joystick sliders and gamepads as well as the quadrant.
3. Open FSUIPC’s Axis Assignment tab. Move only the left lever until FSUIPC identifies it. Use Rescan if another axis was captured first. An aircraft-specific FSUIPC profile is preferable because Airbus assignments can conflict with conventional aircraft.
4. Assign each engine separately. For direct FSUIPC calibration, send the left lever to Axis Throttle1 Set and the right lever to Axis Throttle2 Set. Do not also assign either lever to the combined Axis Throttle Set control. Repeat with engines 3 and 4 for a four-engine Airbus. Our separate-engine throttle configuration covers mismatched or coupled levers in more detail.
5. Calibrate reverse, idle and maximum. Open Joystick Calibration and locate the separate-throttles page. For each lever, capture full reverse where the hardware provides analogue reverse travel, set a small idle zone around the physical IDLE notch, and set maximum at the TOGA end of travel. Do not use CL or FLX/MCT as the maximum point.
6. Correct the direction if necessary. If the displayed value decreases as the lever moves towards TOGA, use FSUIPC’s reverse-axis option and recalibrate. Copying numerical values from another quadrant is unreliable because raw axis ranges differ between devices.
7. Test both levers in the cockpit. Move them slowly from reverse through IDLE, CL and FLX/MCT to TOGA. Confirm that neither virtual lever jumps, stops early or moves when only the other physical lever is touched.

How are CL, FLX/MCT and TOGA detents set?

Intermediate Airbus detents should normally be captured in the aircraft add-on’s own throttle-calibration page. Place both physical levers in each notch when requested and give every detent a small tolerance zone so minor axis noise does not make the indication flicker.

If the add-on has no calibration page but documents commands for its detents, FSUIPC’s axis-range facility can send those commands when a lever enters a defined band. Record the stable raw value at each physical notch, create a narrow range around it, and assign the documented command while retaining the continuous throttle axis.

Do not assign generic fixed-throttle commands merely to imitate CL, FLX/MCT or TOGA. They can cause sudden thrust jumps and do not engage an add-on’s autothrust modes. For the underlying operating logic, see our explanation of how Airbus thrust-lever positions affect autothrust.

How should reverse thrust be configured?

Use FSUIPC’s reverse calibration only when the quadrant supplies genuine analogue travel below IDLE. Set the idle boundaries closely around the IDLE notch, then capture the reverse endpoint separately.

If the reverser is a button, latch or switch rather than part of the axis, calibrate the main lever from IDLE to TOGA and assign the switch to the aircraft’s documented reverser control. For ordinary FSX aircraft that may be the standard throttle-decrease/reverse command; complex Airbus add-ons may require their own control.

Why do the Airbus detents not line up?

• Both FSX and FSUIPC are controlling the axis: remove the duplicate FSX assignment. Fighting inputs commonly cause jumping levers and inconsistent detents.
• The axis was calibrated twice: use either FSUIPC calibration or the add-on’s calibration unless its documentation explicitly calls for both.
• CL was captured as maximum: recalibrate maximum at the full TOGA position, then recapture the intermediate detents in the add-on.
• The detent band is too narrow: widen it slightly around the stable input value. Do not let adjacent ranges overlap.
• Reverse overlaps IDLE: reduce the idle zone or recalibrate the reverse endpoint. A noisy axis may need cleaning or hardware calibration before software adjustment.
• A combined throttle is still assigned: remove Axis Throttle Set and retain the individual engine controls.
• The aircraft does not model Airbus detents: FSUIPC can align the physical lever position, but it cannot add missing autothrust or FADEC behaviour to the default A321.

If the levers remain unresponsive, move together unexpectedly or return to full thrust, work through our FSX throttle and controller fault checklist before changing the detent ranges again.