MSFS joystick and throttle quadrant: how do I set them up?

To set up an MSFS joystick and throttle quadrant, connect both before launching Microsoft Flight Simulator, create a custom profile for each device, bind the aileron, elevator, rudder and throttle axes, remove duplicate assignments, calibrate their full travel, then test each control in the cockpit. This applies to MSFS 2020 and MSFS 2024.

MSFS joystick and throttle quadrant setup: step-by-step tutorial

The most reliable method is to configure each device separately, starting with its continuous axes and adding buttons only after those axes work correctly.

1. Connect and check the hardware. Plug in the joystick and throttle before starting MSFS. On a Windows PC, open the Game Controllers panel by running joy.cpl and confirm that both devices appear and that every axis responds. Use the manufacturer's utility instead where the hardware requires it.

2. Select the correct device in Controls. Joysticks, throttles, pedals, keyboards and gamepads appear as separate devices. Check the device name before changing anything; editing the keyboard profile while moving a joystick will achieve nothing.

3. Create custom profiles. Duplicate the default preset or create a new one for the joystick, then do the same for the throttle quadrant. Each peripheral has its own assignments, even though they operate together in the aircraft.

4. Inspect the default bindings. Filter the selected device to show assigned controls and remove anything unwanted. A mistake we see constantly is leaving a joystick slider bound to throttle while also assigning the quadrant, causing both devices to fight over the same engines.

5. Bind the primary joystick axes. Map horizontal movement to Ailerons Axis, vertical movement to Elevator Axis, and a twist grip to Rudder Axis only when pedals are not handling rudder. Do not map an analogue stick to button commands such as aileron left or right. Our full joystick mapping procedure for MSFS 2020 and 2024 covers hats, trim and essential buttons.

6. Bind the throttle levers. Use commands containing Axis, not throttle increase and decrease commands intended for buttons. Choose a general throttle axis for one lever controlling all engines, or numbered throttle axes when each engine has its own physical lever.

7. Add only useful buttons. Elevator trim, brakes, flaps, landing gear, view controls and autopilot disconnect are sensible choices. Avoid filling every button immediately; test a small, memorable layout before adding secondary functions.

8. Save, calibrate and test. Begin with a neutral response curve and only enough dead zone to stop genuine drift. Load a simple aircraft with its engine running, apply the parking brake and move one control at a time while watching the cockpit animation and engine indications.

Menu layouts and filter names differ between MSFS 2020 and MSFS 2024, but the assignment principles are the same. Use an Apply or Save control if the selected menu presents one, and verify that your custom profile remains active before leaving the screen.

MSFS 2024 is available on PC, Xbox Series X|S and PS5/PS5 Pro; MSFS 2020 is PC and Xbox only. Generic USB controllers are mainly a PC proposition. Consoles require hardware recognised as compatible with that console, and a USB connector by itself does not guarantee support.

Which axis should I bind for ailerons, rudder and throttle?

In Microsoft Flight Simulator, bind each analogue control to the corresponding continuous axis and use numbered engine axes only when the physical levers operate independently.

These are the common English labels. Wording, punctuation and the placement of engine numbers can vary between simulator versions, localised interfaces and control presets.

Should I use Throttle Axis or Throttle Axis (0 to 100%)?

Use the 0 to 100% throttle axis when the lever runs from idle at one physical stop to full power at the other without a continuous reverse section.

Choose a full-range axis only when the aircraft and hardware are intended to place reverse thrust or beta range below idle on that same axis. If pulling the lever through a gate presses a button instead, it is normally a forward-only axis with the button assigned to an appropriate reverse or throttle-decrease function.

Using the wrong range often produces full power near the middle of the lever, leaves half the travel unused, or puts idle at an unexpected position. Our explanation of throttle-axis ranges, engine assignments and reverse-thrust methods helps identify the right arrangement for each type of quadrant.

How do throttle detents work in MSFS 2024?

A physical throttle detent does not automatically align with an aircraft's idle, climb, FLEX/MCT, TOGA or reverse positions in MSFS 2024.

First make sure the basic axis reaches both endpoints smoothly. Advanced aircraft may then provide a calibration page in their cockpit tablet or electronic flight bag where each detent is recorded. If the aircraft has no detent-calibration page, use the normal MSFS axis and response settings rather than copying calibration values from a different aircraft.

Do not bend the sensitivity curve simply to force one detent into place; that can compress the useful travel elsewhere. MSFS 2024 users who cannot reach idle or full power should follow our endpoint and throttle-detent calibration checks before altering aircraft-specific settings.

I searched and found nothing: what if the axis is not there?

The axis is usually hidden by a filter, localised under another name or being searched on the wrong device rather than genuinely absent.

1. Select the physical joystick or throttle. Commands are assigned per device, so make sure its device tile or tab is active.

2. Show all available controls. Change the filter from assigned controls to all controls. An unassigned axis will not appear under an assigned-only filter.

3. Search using a broad term. Try aileron, elevator, rudder or throttle rather than pasting a complete label from another simulator version.

4. Use input search. Move only the desired control and check which input MSFS detects. Noisy sliders can be selected accidentally, so confirm the reported axis before accepting it.

5. Check localisation. A translated interface may not contain the literal English label. If an English tutorial says Ailerons Axis but your German menu appears to say “das gibt es dort nicht”, search for the translated control or identify it by moving the stick.

6. Verify that the hardware exposes an axis. If movement is not detected in MSFS or the operating system, reconnect the device and restart the simulator. Some switches and reverse gates report only a button press, not a continuous axis.

Why does the joystick or throttle move backwards, jump or control two things?

Backward, unstable or doubled movement normally comes from a reversed direction, duplicate assignment, incorrect axis range or uncalibrated hardware.

• Movement is reversed: enable the binding's reverse-axis option. Do not add a second command in the opposite direction.
• One input controls two functions: search all connected devices for that command and remove unwanted defaults. Check gamepads, unused joystick sliders and pedal toe brakes as well as the main controls.
• Two devices fight over the same control: keep one active assignment for each function. Rudder should normally come from either the twist grip or pedals, not both.
• The axis jitters or drifts: inspect the raw input first and add a small dead zone only around the affected position. A dead zone hides minor noise; it does not repair bad endpoint calibration.
• Idle or full power cannot be reached: recalibrate the device, return the response curve to a neutral starting point and check whether the wrong full-range or 0 to 100% command was selected.
• The cockpit throttle moves back by itself: look for duplicate bindings, active piloting assistance or engaged autothrottle. Temporarily disable automation while diagnosing the hardware.
• An axis works in one aircraft but not another: confirm that the intended profile is active and that the aircraft actually simulates that control. A jet will not respond to a piston-engine mixture axis.

Once the assignments and endpoints are correct, use our guidance on adjusting sensitivity curves and dead zones without losing control travel.

Do I need separate profiles for every aircraft?

No; start with one clean general-purpose profile, then duplicate it only when an aircraft needs different engine axes, reverse handling, flap controls or throttle detents.

A single-engine piston profile can use one throttle, propeller and mixture set. A twin needs numbered engine assignments, while an airliner may justify its own profile for thrust detents, spoilers and flap levers. Different liveries of the same aircraft do not need separate control profiles.

When changing aircraft, check the active profile for both the joystick and throttle. Selecting the correct joystick preset while leaving the quadrant on an old airliner preset is an easy way to create apparently random throttle behaviour.

What should I test before take-off?

Before releasing the parking brake, verify that every physical input moves only its intended cockpit control, travels in the correct direction and reaches both endpoints.

• The stick centres without aileron or elevator drift.
• Left and right stick movement produces the correct roll-control movement.
• Pulling back commands nose-up elevator movement.
• Rudder input comes from one intended device and returns to centre.
• Throttle levers reach idle and full power without jumping or stopping short.
• Numbered throttle levers operate the matching engines.
• Any reverse gate or button enters and exits reverse reliably.
• Aircraft-specific throttle detents register at the intended positions.
• Propeller, mixture, spoiler and flap axes move in the correct direction.
• No flight-control axis also moves the camera, trim or another engine control.