Set up CH Pro Pedals in FS2004 on Windows, assign rudder and toe-brake axes, correct reversed inputs, and fix drift or constant braking.
Connect the CH Pro Pedals by USB, confirm Windows detects and calibrates them, then assign the rudder, left brake and right brake axes in FS2004’s control settings. Remove duplicate rudder or brake assignments from other controllers, and reverse either toe-brake axis if FS2004 shows braking while the pedals are released.
How do I assign CH Pro Pedals in FS2004?
Assign the pedals as three analogue axes: one for the sliding rudder movement and one for each toe brake. Connect them before starting FS2004, as the simulator may not recognise a controller connected after launch.
- Check the pedals in Windows. Press the Windows and R keys, enter
joy.cpl, and open the CH Pro Pedals properties. Move the pedals through their full rudder travel and press each toe brake separately. The axis names and directions shown by Windows matter less than smooth, independent movement. - Calibrate if necessary. Run the Windows calibration routine if the axes do not reach both ends or the rudder does not settle near its centre. Keep both toe brakes fully released when the routine asks for a centred or resting position. Our FS2004 controller calibration workflow covers the Windows checks in more detail.
- Open the axis assignments. In FS2004, open the Settings or Options area, choose Controls and then Assignments. Select CH Pro Pedals in the controller device selector and switch to the joystick-axis assignments rather than button or key commands.
- Assign the three controls. Bind Rudder Axis to the sliding pedal movement, Left Brake Axis to the left toe brake and Right Brake Axis to the right toe brake. Move only the control being assigned so FS2004 does not capture another axis.
- Remove incorrect automatic assignments. Delete any aileron, elevator, throttle or mixture assignments that FS2004 has attached to the pedals. Check every connected yoke, joystick and virtual controller for a second rudder or brake axis; duplicate inputs are a common cause of twitching and poor centring. See our guidance on assigning FS2004 axes without controller conflicts if several devices are connected.
- Correct the axis directions. Move the pedals and watch the aircraft’s rudder. Reverse the rudder axis only if it moves in the wrong direction. Toe-brake axes often need their Reverse option enabled so released pedals mean zero braking.
- Test while stationary and during a slow taxi. With both feet released, the brake indication should be absent. Pressing the left toe brake should apply the left brake and help turn the aircraft left; the right brake should behave correspondingly.
What sensitivity and null-zone settings should I use?
Start with relatively high sensitivity and a small rudder null zone, then adjust only enough to remove unwanted movement. Verify that full pedal travel still produces full rudder deflection after changing sensitivity.
If the rudder jitters around centre, increase its null zone gradually. For the toe brakes, use a low null zone unless a brake remains slightly applied when released. Reversing and calibrating the brake axes should be tried before hiding a large resting error with an excessive null zone.
Turn off FS2004’s auto-rudder assistance when using physical pedals. Otherwise the simulator may add its own coordinated rudder input on top of the pedal position.
Do I need CH Control Manager?
No, USB CH Pro Pedals normally work as a standard Windows game controller without CH Control Manager. Use the CH software only when you need a mapped virtual controller, combined-device profile or specialised response settings.
If a mapped profile is active, FS2004 may display both the physical pedals and a virtual CH device. Assign axes from only one of them; using both creates duplicate inputs. Our guide to using CH Control Manager on Windows 10 or 11 explains the direct and mapped modes.
These instructions assume the USB version of CH Pro Pedals. An older gameport model is not converted into a three-axis USB controller by a passive plug adaptor; it requires suitable active conversion hardware, and compatibility varies.
Why are the brakes stuck on or the rudder twitching?
Constant braking usually means a reversed toe-brake axis, while rudder twitching usually comes from duplicate assignments, poor calibration or too little centre null zone.
| Symptom | Likely fix |
|---|---|
| The brake indication remains on with both feet released | Reverse the left and right brake axes individually, then recalibrate with the toe brakes released. |
| The rudder moves without pedal input | Remove duplicate rudder assignments, disable auto-rudder and add a small rudder null zone. |
| A toe brake controls another aircraft function | Delete the incorrect automatic assignment and bind that pedal again under joystick axes. |
| The pedals appear in Windows but not FS2004 | Close FS2004, reconnect the pedals directly to a USB port, confirm them in joy.cpl, and restart the simulator. |
| Both physical and virtual CH devices respond | Use either the direct USB device or the Control Manager virtual device, then clear assignments from the other. |