Set up Honeycomb Alpha and Bravo for the PMDG 777 in MSFS 2024, with correct axes, reversers, flaps, profiles and common conflict fixes.
To configure Honeycomb Alpha and Bravo for the PMDG 777-300ER in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, create separate aircraft profiles, map the Alpha’s pitch and roll axes, assign the Bravo’s two throttles to engine-specific 0–100% axes, then add spoilers, flaps, gear and trim. Remove every duplicate binding before testing.
Use a PMDG 777 build intended for MSFS 2024 rather than importing an old simulator installation wholesale. If there is any doubt, check the supported PMDG aircraft and simulator combinations before troubleshooting the hardware.
Create separate Alpha and Bravo profiles
The Alpha and Bravo each need their own PMDG 777 profile because MSFS 2024 stores assignments by device.
- Select the Alpha device in the Controls settings and duplicate or create an editable profile. Give it a clear name such as
PMDG 777 Alpha. - Select the Bravo separately and create a second profile named
PMDG 777 Bravo. Do not try to place both devices in one preset. - Display assigned controls and remove unwanted defaults. Pay particular attention to throttle, propeller, mixture, trim, brakes and flight-control axes inherited from generic aircraft presets.
- Check every other connected device, including a gamepad, joystick and rudder pedals. One axis should have one active source unless the duplication is deliberate.
- Save and select both profiles for the 777 before loading the cockpit. MSFS can leave a different preset active on one device.
Our broader Alpha and Bravo setup notes cover USB detection and the base hardware workflow. For problems with presets changing or failing to save, use the per-aircraft profile and binding procedure.
Which controls should I assign to the PMDG 777?
Use direct axes for the primary controls and engine-specific assignments for the two throttles; buttons should be reserved for gear, trim and reverse-thrust commands.
| Honeycomb control | MSFS assignment | PMDG 777 setup note |
|---|---|---|
| Alpha yoke left/right | Ailerons Axis | Use the axis command, not left/right button commands. |
| Alpha yoke forward/back | Elevator Axis | Invert only if the cockpit yoke moves in the wrong direction. |
| Alpha trim switches | Elevator Trim Up and Elevator Trim Down | Do not also bind an unintended keyboard or controller trim input. |
| Bravo left throttle | Throttle 1 Axis (0 to 100%) | Remove any generic combined-throttle assignment. |
| Bravo right throttle | Throttle 2 Axis (0 to 100%) | Check that it moves only engine two. |
| Bravo speedbrake lever | Spoilers Axis | Verify down, armed and full-spoiler regions in the virtual cockpit. |
| Bravo flap lever | Flaps Axis | Check every 777 detent: UP, 1, 5, 15, 20, 25 and 30. |
| Bravo gear lever | Gear Up and Gear Down | Assign the two switch positions separately. |
| Bravo trim wheel | Elevator Trim Up and Elevator Trim Down | The wheel produces repeated button inputs rather than a true analogue trim axis. |
| Bravo reverser paddles | Throttle 1 Decrease and Throttle 2 Decrease | Use one command per engine and test that it remains active while the paddle is held. |
The Alpha and Bravo do not provide a rudder axis or toe brakes. Add rudder pedals for proper ground handling and crosswind control, then remove any competing rudder or brake axes from other devices.
Calibration and detent checks
Begin with nearly linear sensitivity curves and only enough dead zone to stop genuine centre jitter. Large dead zones make the 777 difficult to hand-fly and can prevent the throttles or speedbrake from reaching their endpoints.
- Confirm that centred Alpha hardware produces centred pitch and roll indications.
- Move each throttle independently from idle to maximum and watch the corresponding virtual lever.
- Check the flap lever one physical detent at a time rather than assuming the markings align automatically.
- Test flight-control movement with the aircraft powered and hydraulic pressure available. External surfaces may not respond normally in a cold-and-dark aircraft without hydraulics.
If the installed PMDG build provides its own hardware calibration option, avoid correcting the same issue with extreme curves in both PMDG and MSFS. Establish clean endpoints in the simulator first.
How should reverse thrust and autothrottle be configured?
The Bravo’s reverser paddles are switches, so the normal arrangement is 0–100% forward-throttle axes plus separate decrease-throttle commands for reverse.
Bring both main throttles fully to idle before raising the paddles. Each paddle should command only its matching engine and should keep increasing reverse while held. To stow the reversers, lower the paddles, move the main levers just above idle and then return them to idle.
The Honeycomb Bravo is not motorised, so its physical levers do not follow the PMDG 777’s autothrottle. Before disconnecting or overriding autothrottle, bring the physical levers close to the thrust position shown in the cockpit; otherwise the aircraft can jump abruptly to the stored hardware position.
Why do the Bravo autopilot buttons and lights not work?
The Bravo autopilot labels do not correspond one-for-one with the PMDG 777’s MCP, and its annunciator lights are controlled separately from ordinary button bindings.
Stock MSFS commands such as NAV, APR and REV should not be assumed to represent the 777’s LNAV, APP or reverse-thrust functions. In particular, the Bravo’s REV button means autopilot reverse-course mode; it is not a thrust-reverser control. Leave uncertain buttons unassigned until they can be mapped through a PMDG-supported event interface.
On PC, Bravo annunciator and gear lights normally require the Honeycomb bridge component as well as electrical power in the aircraft. Follow our Bravo annunciator and gear-light setup if the controls work but the lamps remain dark.
Why are the PMDG 777 controls jumping or not reaching full travel?
Jumping controls almost always indicate duplicate assignments, an unsuitable axis type or a physical lever disagreeing with the autothrottle.
- Both engines move together: remove the generic throttle axis and retain only the separate engine-one and engine-two assignments.
- One engine does not respond: confirm that its lever is assigned to the matching numbered throttle axis rather than mixture or propeller.
- Full reverse appears at idle: use the 0–100% forward-throttle axes and keep reverse thrust on the paddle buttons.
- Flaps sit between detents: check axis endpoints and verify all seven 777 flap positions after any sensitivity change.
- Trim runs continuously: search every connected device for held or duplicated elevator-trim commands.
- Switches change themselves: clear unwanted Alpha battery, alternator, magneto and light bindings. Toggle switches continuously assert their physical state and can fight PMDG’s custom systems.
- The correct mappings disappeared: reselect both PMDG 777 profiles; the Alpha and Bravo presets are chosen independently.