How do I configure Thrustmaster HOTAS bindings in MSFS 2020?

To configure a Thrustmaster HOTAS in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020, open Options > Controls Options, select each Thrustmaster device, duplicate or create a preset, then bind flight axes to axis commands and buttons to discrete commands. Check for duplicate assignments, reverse any backward axes, adjust sensitivity, and choose Apply & Save.

Configure the Thrustmaster HOTAS profile

The reliable method is to build a custom preset rather than altering an automatically generated layout without checking it.

1. Connect the HOTAS before launching MSFS 2020. If your model has a PC/console selector, set it to PC before connecting it. Plugging directly into the computer can also eliminate problems caused by an unpowered USB hub.
2. Open Controls Options. Go to Options > Controls Options and select the Thrustmaster device tile. Separate sticks, throttles and pedals normally appear as separate devices, each with its own preset.
3. Create a custom preset. Open Preset Manager, duplicate the default profile or create a new one, and give it a descriptive name. This preserves the factory profile as a fallback.
4. Change the filter to All. The Essential or Assigned filters can hide commands that you need. Search by control name, or use input scanning while moving only the intended axis or button.
5. Assign analogue controls to axis commands. Roll belongs on Ailerons Axis, not separate left and right commands. Apply the same rule to pitch, rudder, throttle and analogue brakes.
6. Remove competing assignments. Switch the filter to Assigned and check that the same flight axis has not also been mapped to another controller, keyboard axis, trigger or rotary control.
7. Test and save each device. Open the Sensitivity panel, move every axis through its full travel, then use Apply & Save. Repeat this for the throttle and pedals if they have separate device tiles.

If input scanning repeatedly captures a noisy rotary control, stop scanning and select the required physical input from the assignment drop-down instead.

Which controls should I bind first?

Bind the primary flight axes first, test them in a simple aircraft, and only then add secondary switches and camera controls.

Useful button assignments include elevator trim up and down, flaps extend and retract, landing gear, wheel brakes, parking brake and autopilot disconnect. Avoid mapping every switch immediately; crowded profiles are harder to troubleshoot when one command behaves incorrectly.

Thrustmaster hardware is not presented identically across the range. A T.Flight unit usually combines its stick, twist rudder and throttle, so follow our T.Flight axis and button setup for its mode switch and common duplicate bindings. Warthog users should use separate Warthog stick and throttle profiles; the stick has no twist rudder. Thrustmaster Airbus owners also need the correct sidestick, throttle and engine-switch assignments.

Sensitivity and dead zones

Sensitivity should be adjusted only after the axes are assigned correctly and duplicate inputs have been removed. Start with a small dead zone only where an untouched axis jitters, then soften the pitch and roll response if the aircraft feels too abrupt around the centre; our sensitivity, dead-zone and response-curve guide covers those adjustments without masking hardware faults.

Why is my Thrustmaster axis reversed or duplicated?

A reversed or fighting control is usually caused by an incorrect direction setting, the wrong command type, or two devices controlling the same axis.

• The control moves backwards: select that device, open Sensitivity and enable Reverse Axis for the affected input. Reverse only the axis that is wrong.
• The throttle jumps between idle and full power: it has probably been assigned to an increase/decrease or button command. Clear that binding and use a throttle axis command.
• The throttle uses only part of its travel: check whether you selected a full-range axis or a 0–100% variant. The 0–100% form suits a lever whose complete physical travel should represent idle to full power; reverse thrust can then use a separate button or detent arrangement.
• The aircraft moves with the controls centred: inspect every connected device under the Assigned filter. Gamepad sticks, triggers, throttle rotaries and pedals are frequent sources of duplicate flight-control bindings.
• An axis will not reach both ends: run joy.cpl in Windows and test the device. If it does not show full travel there, the fault is outside MSFS and should be corrected before changing the simulator response curve.
• The HOTAS is missing from Controls Options: close the simulator, confirm the correct PC mode, reconnect the device and verify that Windows recognises it. MSFS cannot bind an input that does not respond in the Windows controller test.

Do I need Thrustmaster TARGET software?

No, normal MSFS 2020 HOTAS binding does not require TARGET software; the simulator can read the physical Thrustmaster devices directly. Use remapping software only when you need a specialised combined or virtual controller profile.

A virtual combined controller can make MSFS display both the virtual device and the original physical devices. Binding both causes doubled axes and buttons, so use one input path and clear assignments from the other.

Should I create separate profiles for each aircraft?

Create separate profiles when the aircraft requires a different throttle arrangement, detent scheme or switch layout; one well-made profile is otherwise sufficient for many aircraft.

• Use a general aviation profile for a single combined throttle and common trim, flap and brake controls.
• Use a multi-engine profile when separate levers need Throttle 1 Axis and Throttle 2 Axis.
• Use a jet or airliner profile where reverse thrust, speed brakes and detents need different assignments.

MSFS 2020 control presets belong to each device and are selected manually. If the stick and throttle appear separately, give their matching presets consistent names and check that both are selected before loading the flight.