How do I set up reverse thrust on the Thrustmaster Airbus TCA in Microsoft Flight Simulator?
The easiest way to set up reverse thrust on the Thrustmaster Airbus TCA in Microsoft Flight Simulator is to leave the main levers bound as normal throttle axes, then bind the reverse-detent buttons to a hold reverse thrust command. That is the most reliable setup in MSFS 2020 and MSFS 2024 for most Airbus and jet aircraft.
Why reverse thrust on the TCA can be confusing
The Thrustmaster Airbus TCA quadrant does not behave like a simple single-range throttle. On most setups, the levers provide the normal analogue throttle range, while the lift-up reverse action at the bottom acts as a button press when you pull into reverse.
That matters because MSFS can handle reverse thrust in two different ways:
- Button-based reverse — the reverse gate triggers a button, and the sim applies reverse thrust while that command is held.
- Axis-based reverse — the throttle axis itself includes a reverse range below idle.
For the Airbus TCA, the first method is usually the cleanest and least troublesome.
What is the best reverse thrust setup for the Thrustmaster Airbus TCA?
For most users, we recommend:
- Throttle levers bound to Throttle 1 Axis and Throttle 2 Axis.
- Reverse-detent buttons bound to the simulator's hold reverse thrust command, ideally per engine if available.
- No duplicate throttle or reverse bindings left on the same device profile.
Avoid a toggle-style reverse binding unless you have a very specific reason to use it. Toggle bindings often leave the aircraft stuck in reverse after you release the physical levers, which is exactly the behaviour most people are trying to fix.
How to set up reverse thrust in MSFS step by step
- Open Controls Options and select your Thrustmaster Airbus TCA throttle device. If you use a custom profile, make sure you are editing the profile you actually fly with.
- Clear conflicting bindings first. Search for throttle- and reverse-related commands and remove duplicates you do not need. If the same lever is bound to several throttle commands, reverse thrust becomes inconsistent very quickly.
- Bind the main axes so the left and right levers control Throttle 1 Axis and Throttle 2 Axis. If you fly mostly twin-engine airliners, this is normally the correct choice.
- Test lever direction. Push the hardware levers forward. If engine thrust in the cockpit goes backwards instead of forwards, reverse the axis direction in the binding or sensitivity settings.
- Find the reverse-detent inputs by moving each lever down into the reverse gate. The TCA should register a button input when you lift and pull past idle.
- Bind those reverse buttons to a hold reverse thrust command. If MSFS offers separate commands for engine 1 and engine 2, use those. If you usually keep the throttles linked, the all-engines hold reverse command can also work.
- Apply and save the profile, then load into an aircraft on the ground.
- Test the full sequence: bring the throttles to idle, land or sit stationary on the runway, then pull into reverse. You should see the reversers deploy and reverse power increase while the reverse detent is held.
Which bindings should you use?
| Setup method | Best for | Recommended? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Throttle axis + hold reverse buttons | Most TCA users, stock aircraft, many add-ons | Yes | Most reliable and closest to how the TCA hardware is designed to work |
| Throttle axis + toggle reverse | Very specific custom setups | No | Can leave reverse active when you do not want it |
| Full axis with reverse range | Advanced users and aircraft with their own calibration | Sometimes | Works well only if the aircraft supports proper idle and reverse calibration |
If reverse thrust still does not work, check these five things
1. Duplicate bindings
This is the most common problem. The default profile can leave the same physical lever or button assigned to multiple commands. If throttle axis, decrease throttle and reverse commands are all fighting each other, the sim will behave oddly or ignore reverse altogether.
2. You used a toggle command instead of a hold command
If reverse thrust engages once and then will not cancel cleanly, this is usually why. Swap to a hold reverse binding.
3. The aircraft needs its own throttle calibration
Some add-on airliners and business jets do not rely only on the basic MSFS control menu. They may also need idle, climb, flex and TOGA detents calibrated inside the aircraft itself. If your normal detents are off, reverse can also feel wrong.
4. You are trying to deploy reverse above idle
In many jets, reversers are expected to come in only when the throttles are at idle and the aircraft is on the ground. If you test in the air or with the throttles still advanced, you may think the binding has failed when it is actually the aircraft logic blocking the command.
5. One engine reverses and the other does not
That usually means only one reverse-detent button is bound, or the left and right bindings are crossed. Recheck the button assignments and test each lever separately.
Should you use axis reverse instead of button reverse?
Usually, no. The TCA is built around detents, and MSFS generally behaves better when we treat reverse as a separate command triggered at the reverse gate.
Axis-based reverse can work, but only if the aircraft supports a proper full-range throttle calibration including the idle and reverse region. If you fly an add-on that explicitly supports full reverse on the same axis, that can feel more natural. If not, button-based reverse is less fussy.
Recommended sensitivity and control profile tips
- Keep the throttle axes fairly linear to begin with.
- Use only a small dead zone unless your hardware is noisy around idle.
- Do not bind the same lever to both a single combined throttle and separate engine throttles.
- If you fly different aircraft types, keep separate control profiles for airliners, GA aircraft and turboprops.
That last point helps a lot. Reverse thrust logic that feels right in an Airbus may not be ideal in a turboprop or older jet.
MSFS 2020 vs MSFS 2024: is the setup different?
The basic idea is the same in both. Bind the throttle levers as axes, bind the reverse gate as a hold reverse command, and remove duplicates.
The menus and default profiles may look a little different depending on the version and aircraft, but the actual fix is usually identical. If you move from MSFS 2020 to MSFS 2024, it is worth building a fresh TCA profile rather than importing a messy one with old conflicts.
Quick answer if you just want the fix
Bind the Thrustmaster Airbus TCA levers to Throttle 1 Axis and Throttle 2 Axis, then bind the reverse-detent buttons to a hold reverse thrust command, preferably per engine. Remove any duplicate throttle or reverse assignments, test on the ground at idle, and calibrate the aircraft's detents if the add-on supports that.