How do I use F/A-18 autothrottle in MSFS?
Microsoft Flight Simulator’s included F/A-18E Super Hornet uses Automatic Throttle Control (ATC). Activate Arm Auto Throttle—normally Shift+R on the standard keyboard profile—after stabilising the jet. With flaps AUTO it captures cruise airspeed; with HALF or FULL it uses approach logic to maintain on-speed angle of attack.
The Hornet calls this system ATC rather than autothrust. It operates independently of the autopilot and does not have an airliner-style selected-speed window.
How do I bind and engage the F/A-18 autothrottle?
Use the simulator’s generic Arm Auto Throttle command, because the control on the virtual throttle may not be practical with a mouse or every controller profile.
- Assign the command. Open the control settings for your keyboard, HOTAS or gamepad and search for
Arm Auto Throttle. Bind it to a spare momentary button. The standard keyboard assignment is normallyShift+R, but custom profiles can remove or replace it. Our MSFS keyboard and control-binding reference lists the related throttle and autopilot commands. - Set the required configuration. Use flaps AUTO for cruise speed hold, or HALF/FULL for approach ATC.
- Stabilise before engaging. In cruise, settle at the airspeed you want to retain. On approach, configure the gear and flaps, trim near on-speed angle of attack and centre the E-bracket before selecting ATC.
- Activate ATC once. Press the assigned button or
Shift+R. Check for the ATC status cue and confirm that engine thrust responds without your input. - Disconnect deliberately. Activate the same command again before taking manual control. Bring physical throttle levers close to the commanded thrust first, otherwise the axis can cause a sudden power change when it takes over.
What do cruise and approach ATC modes hold?
Flap position selects the Hornet’s ATC logic automatically; there is no separate cruise-versus-approach switch.
| Configuration | ATC controls | Pilot controls | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flaps AUTO | Airspeed captured when ATC is engaged | Attitude and flight path | En-route or holding flight |
| Flaps HALF or FULL | On-speed angle of attack | Flight path with small pitch inputs | Runway or carrier approach |
In cruise mode, accelerate or decelerate manually to the required speed and then engage ATC. To select a substantially different speed, disconnect it, establish the new speed and re-engage; searching for a speed knob will not help.
Approach mode targets on-speed angle of attack, not a fixed number of knots. The correct indicated airspeed changes with aircraft weight, so use the AoA indexer and E-bracket rather than chasing a memorised approach speed. ATC does not lower the gear, configure the flaps, capture a glideslope, flare or perform an automatic landing.
Why does the F/A-18 autothrottle not engage?
Most failures come from an incorrect binding, the wrong flap configuration or a noisy hardware throttle axis.
- Wrong command: bind
Arm Auto Throttle, not an autothrottle take-off/go-around or speed-reference command. - Duplicate throttle assignments: remove unwanted axes from other connected controllers. A gamepad trigger, spare slider or second throttle can continuously override ATC.
- Axis jitter: add a small dead zone or recalibrate the throttle if ATC engages and immediately drops out.
- Wrong flap setting: AUTO requests cruise speed hold. HALF or FULL requests approach AoA control.
- Unstable engagement: stop aggressive manoeuvring and establish a sensible speed, attitude and power setting before pressing the command.
- Assistance conflict: disable AI piloting or assisted landing while testing, because those systems can issue competing control inputs.
- Modified aircraft behaviour: test the unmodified Microsoft F/A-18E with a clean controller profile. Aircraft modifications can replace or alter the stock ATC logic.
The autopilot does not need to be engaged for ATC to work. If several flight-control modes are refusing to activate, follow our automation engagement troubleshooting checklist to find controller conflicts and invalid flight conditions.
Should I use ATC for an F/A-18 landing?
ATC is optional for runway and carrier approaches, and it is not a substitute for learning the Hornet’s manual landing technique. Without approach ATC, trim the aircraft on-speed and use throttle to control the glideslope; with ATC engaged, use restrained pitch inputs to adjust flight path while the system works the thrust to recover on-speed AoA.
A mistake we see constantly is engaging approach ATC while far from the E-bracket and expecting it to rescue the approach. Establish the landing configuration and approximate on-speed condition first. Disconnect immediately if thrust oscillates, the AoA indication diverges or a controller input starts fighting the system.