Set up Saitek or Logitech throttle quadrant reverse thrust in MSFS, X-Plane, FSX and Prepar3D, with detent bindings and fixes.
For a general flight-simulator setup, keep each Saitek or Logitech quadrant lever assigned to its normal throttle axis and bind the switch below the idle detent to a reverse command. Use a hold-reverse command when the aircraft supports it; otherwise use throttle decrease and enable button repeat where the simulator provides it.
This method applies across Microsoft Flight Simulator, X-Plane, FSX and Prepar3D, although command names and aircraft behaviour differ. Saitek-branded and Logitech G Pro Flight quadrants use the same basic detent arrangement.
What does the reverse detent actually send?
The section below the idle detent is a digital switch, not additional analogue throttle travel. The analogue axis reaches its minimum at idle; pulling the lever farther back presses a separate button that remains active while the lever is held down.
This is why Windows or the simulator may show a button lighting up rather than a negative axis value. Do not try to extend the axis calibration through the detent. Search for the input by moving the lever below idle, because fixed button numbers can vary with the device, driver and controller profile.
Which reverse-thrust command should you choose?
A maintained hold-reverse command is normally the cleanest match for the quadrant's maintained detent switch, but throttle decrease is the more widely compatible fallback.
| Binding | Choose it when | Main limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Hold reverse thrust | The simulator or aircraft provides a maintained reverse command | Some aircraft still require a separate axis movement to control reverse power |
| Throttle decrease | Using FSX, Prepar3D or an aircraft that responds to repeated throttle commands | Button repeat may be needed to move from idle into full reverse |
| Toggle reverse thrust | No reliable hold or decrease command is available | The switch and cockpit reverser can become out of sync |
| Full-range throttle axis | The aircraft has its own calibration system and proportional reverse is required | Uses part of the quadrant's normal analogue travel for reverse |
Avoid toggle commands unless the aircraft reliably cancels reverse when the lever leaves idle. A mistake we see constantly is assigning a toggle to the detent, then finding that pushing the lever forward leaves the virtual reversers deployed.
How to assign the quadrant's reverse switches
- Create a separate controller profile. Use an aircraft-specific profile where the simulator supports one. A jet profile should not overwrite the throttle, propeller and mixture arrangement used by piston aircraft.
- Assign the normal throttle axes. Map each analogue lever to
Throttle Axisor its engine-specific equivalent. Do not assign the analogue lever to throttle increase and decrease buttons. - Remove conflicting defaults. Check that the throttle axis is not also assigned to another controller and that the detent button is not operating mixture, propeller pitch, spoilers or a second reverse command.
- Identify each detent switch. Use the simulator's input-search function, then pull one lever below idle. Assign only the button that appears; do not copy a button number from somebody else's profile.
- Choose the simulator-specific command.
- In Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 or 2024, try the hold-reverse command exposed by the controls search. If the aircraft does not respond properly, use throttle decrease instead. Our guide to MSFS throttle-axis types and reverse bindings explains when to use a standard axis rather than a full-range axis.
- In FSX and Prepar3D, assign the detent to
Throttle Decreaseand enable or raise button repeat if that option is presented. Holding the lever below the detent should then drive the throttle through idle into reverse. - X-Plane uses its own reverse commands and aircraft-specific controller profiles. Follow the detailed X-Plane 12 detent and reverse-thrust procedure rather than copying an MSFS binding.
- Test with a suitable aircraft. Use a jet or turboprop that actually has reverse thrust, with the aircraft stationary, engines running and parking brake set. Check the cockpit levers and engine indications; a lever animation without a change in thrust means the binding is incomplete.
- Save the working profile. Give it an aircraft or engine-layout name so it is not accidentally loaded for a different quadrant arrangement.
How should reverse thrust work on a twin-engine aircraft?
Each throttle lever should normally control the matching engine's axis and reverse command. Pair the left lever and detent with engine 1, then the right lever and detent with engine 2.
If the simulator offers only an all-engines throttle-decrease command, assign that same command to both detent switches so either switch produces symmetrical reverse. If engine-specific reverse commands are available, use them only when you want independent reverse control and have verified that each switch operates the correct engine.
Do not automatically bind the third quadrant detent. When that lever controls propeller pitch, mixture, spoilers or flaps, its switch should be left unused or assigned to a function appropriate to that lever.
Why is Saitek or Logitech reverse thrust not working?
Most failures are caused by an undetected detent button, a duplicate throttle assignment or a reverse command the selected aircraft does not support.
- Nothing happens below the detent: scan for the input again and check every listed controller. A quadrant supplied with a yoke may appear as part of the yoke rather than as a separate device. If the whole unit is absent in MSFS, start with the Logitech yoke and throttle detection and profile steps.
- Reverse engages and immediately cancels: another throttle axis may be sending idle or forward values. Clear duplicate assignments and add a small dead zone if axis jitter is repeatedly overriding the reverse command.
- The reversers remain deployed: remove the toggle binding and use a hold-reverse or repeating throttle-decrease command.
- Only one engine reverses: the detent is assigned to an engine-specific command for the wrong engine, or the second switch has not been mapped.
- The command works in one aircraft only: complex add-on aircraft may use their own calibration page or custom reverse logic. Some also prevent reverser deployment until the aircraft is on the ground.
- The cockpit lever moves but no reverse thrust appears: confirm that the aircraft is equipped with reverse thrust or turboprop beta range. A conventional piston aircraft will ignore the command.
Can this quadrant provide proportional reverse thrust?
The detent itself cannot provide proportional reverse because it is only an on-or-off button. A repeating throttle-decrease command may ramp towards maximum reverse, but the switch does not report how far below the detent the lever has moved.
For adjustable reverse power, an aircraft-specific calibration system can sometimes divide the normal analogue axis into forward and reverse ranges, placing idle above the physical bottom of the lever's travel. Choose that arrangement only when the aircraft supports full-range calibration: it reduces the analogue travel available for forward thrust and should be saved in a separate profile.