How do I set reverse thrust and beta in X-Plane Mobile?

X-Plane Mobile does not offer X-Plane 12’s separate reverse-thrust and beta-range axis assignments. On a supported aircraft, bring the power levers fully to idle, then use its touchscreen or interactive cockpit reverser/beta control. If the aircraft exposes neither, there is no universal Mobile binding that can add the function.

There is no global reverse-thrust or beta-range switch to enable. The available method depends on the aircraft’s modelled controls, while an active gamepad or throttle can override touchscreen input. Our explanation of how Mobile’s throttle and cockpit touch controls interact covers the basic input behaviour.

How do I use reverse thrust on a jet?

Jet reverse thrust must be selected after touchdown, with the forward thrust levers fully at idle.

1. Close the throttles: move both power levers to idle and disengage autothrottle before attempting to select reverse.
2. Wait for ground contact: many aircraft inhibit reverser deployment until their ground logic recognises that the aeroplane has landed.
3. Select the aircraft’s reverser: lift or drag the interactive reverse levers in the cockpit. If the aircraft-specific touchscreen throttle provides a region below idle, move into that region instead.
4. Confirm deployment: check for lever movement, a reverser indication or the expected engine response before increasing reverse power.
5. Stow the reversers: return to idle reverse, allow the engines to settle, then move the controls back into the forward-idle position.

Not every visible cockpit lever is interactive in every Mobile aircraft. If there is no usable reverser handle or below-idle touchscreen region, repeatedly dragging the normal throttle will not create reverse thrust.

How do I enter beta range in a turboprop?

On a supported turboprop, move the power lever through the flight-idle gate into beta; do not use the propeller RPM lever for this.

1. Set the engine controls: place the propeller or condition controls as required by that aircraft’s checklist.
2. Reach true flight idle: bring the power lever completely back and make sure no controller is feeding a small forward-throttle input.
3. Cross the idle gate: drag the interactive power lever farther aft, or use a below-idle section of the touchscreen control if the aircraft supplies one.
4. Use beta for ground control: the initial range reduces propeller blade angle and helps regulate taxi speed.
5. Select reverse if required: move farther aft into the negative-blade-angle portion, provided the aircraft models it.

Beta and reverse are not identical. Beta is the range below flight idle in which power-lever movement governs low propeller blade angles; reverse is the negative-pitch portion farther aft. Entering beta may reduce forward thrust without producing noticeable backward thrust.

Treat beta and reverse as ground-only controls unless the aircraft’s operating procedure explicitly permits otherwise. A simulator allowing the lever to move does not make an otherwise prohibited in-flight procedure valid.

Can I assign reverse thrust to a controller?

Only functions exposed by X-Plane Mobile can be assigned; desktop commands, datarefs and plug-ins cannot be imported to create a missing reverse or beta control.

The practical arrangement for many devices is to use the hardware throttle from idle to full forward power, then use the touchscreen or cockpit lever below idle. Check which controllers Mobile recognises and what their limitations are before assuming a desktop throttle quadrant will expose all its detents.

Calibrate the throttle so its idle end reaches a stable zero input. If a touchscreen reverse lever immediately jumps back to forward idle, the hardware axis is probably overriding it.

Why will reverse thrust or beta range not engage?

Failure usually comes from an idle-input conflict, a ground lockout or an aircraft that does not model the requested control.

• The throttle is not fully idle: controller noise or an incorrectly calibrated axis can leave residual forward thrust and prevent the lever crossing the gate.
• Autothrottle is still active: disconnect it and return the physical and on-screen throttles to idle.
• The aircraft is not recognised as being on the ground: let the wheels settle before selecting reverse; some models use ground-contact logic.
• The wrong lever is being moved: turboprop beta comes from the power lever, not the propeller-speed or condition lever.
• The aircraft lacks functional controls: cockpit artwork alone does not prove that reverse or beta has been implemented.
• Two inputs are competing: centre or idle the external throttle before manipulating the touchscreen lever, or disconnect the controller briefly to diagnose the conflict.

What if I need a dedicated reverse-thrust axis?

Use desktop X-Plane when you need physical detents, separate per-engine assignments, response curves or a dedicated beta/reverse axis. The control and feature differences between Mobile and X-Plane 12 explain the platform limitation, while our full X-Plane 12 reverse-thrust setup covers desktop throttle configuration.