How do I set up TCA Airbus reverse thrust in MSFS?

In Microsoft Flight Simulator, bind the Thrustmaster Airbus TCA levers as separate engine throttle axes, then assign each reverse-gate switch to the matching hold reverse-thrust command. Remove duplicate assignments and confirm idle is stable. If an add-on has its own detent calibration, use its supported full-axis method instead of adding a reverse button.

Best MSFS reverse-thrust setup for the Airbus TCA

For most stock aircraft and jets without their own throttle calibration, the dependable setup is a normal axis for each engine plus hold reverse thrust on the reverse gates.

• Left lever: throttle axis for engine 1.
• Right lever: throttle axis for engine 2.
• Left reverse gate: hold reverse thrust for engine 1, if that separate command is available.
• Right reverse gate: hold reverse thrust for engine 2, if available.

If MSFS only provides an all-engines hold command for the aircraft or control scheme, that can still be used. Avoid binding a combined throttle axis alongside the two individual axes; both assignments will compete for the same engines.

The setting labelled Reverse Axis in an axis configuration page normally means invert the direction of that axis. It does not enable the engine's thrust reversers.

How to set up TCA Airbus reverse thrust step by step

A dedicated aircraft profile and one clear input method per function prevent most reverse-thrust faults.

1. Check how the aircraft handles its throttles. Use the hold-reverse method unless the aircraft explicitly provides throttle-detent calibration with reverse on the main axis. Do not combine the two methods.
2. Select the quadrant itself. In the MSFS control settings, make sure you are editing the Thrustmaster throttle quadrant rather than the sidestick, keyboard or another controller. Save the bindings in a dedicated airliner profile.
3. Audit existing assignments. Search for throttle and reverse, displaying all assigned controls. Remove unwanted combined axes, duplicate per-engine axes, toggle-reverse commands and old decrease-throttle workarounds.
4. Bind the main levers. Assign lever 1 to the engine 1 throttle axis and lever 2 to the engine 2 throttle axis. Some aircraft specify the 0 to 100% variants; follow the aircraft's calibration instructions when they do.
5. Verify the direction. Move each hardware lever forwards and confirm the corresponding cockpit lever also moves forwards. Invert an axis only if its movement is backwards.
6. Capture each reverse gate. Use input scanning rather than guessing a button number. Bring the lever to idle, lift the reverse latch and pull it through the gate; MSFS should detect an input from the quadrant.
7. Assign hold reverse. Bind the detected inputs to the command usually called Hold Throttle Reverse Thrust. Use the engine-specific versions when MSFS lists them.
8. Stabilise idle. Start with a near-linear response and a small dead zone. Add only enough dead zone to stop the cockpit levers flickering above idle.
9. Test on the ground. With the engines running and the aircraft stationary, bring both levers fully to idle before entering the reverse gates. Reverse should cancel when the levers leave the gates.

For profile creation, detent alignment and duplicate-binding checks beyond the reversers, see our complete MSFS 2024 setup for Thrustmaster TCA controls.

Should I use hold reverse or a full reverse axis?

Choose hold reverse for broad compatibility; choose a calibrated full-axis reverse range only when the loaded aircraft explicitly supports it.

With aircraft-specific calibration, set every point or range requested by the aircraft, commonly reverse, idle, CL, FLX/MCT and TOGA. The fixed detents on the physical TCA quadrant will not line up correctly until that software calibration is complete.

TCA Airbus reverse thrust не работает (not working): what fixes it?

If Airbus TCA reverse thrust does not work, the fault is usually an undetected gate input, an unstable idle position, a conflicting assignment or the wrong aircraft profile.

• No reverse input appears: scan the input again while pulling the lever completely through the reverse gate. Confirm that the quadrant, not the sidestick, is selected.
• The aircraft never enters reverse: verify that both cockpit throttles reach true idle and that the aircraft is on the ground. Many jets inhibit reverse in flight or while forward thrust is still commanded.
• Reverse stays engaged: remove any toggle-reverse binding and look for a second reverse command on another device. A hold command should release when the gate input releases.
• One lever moves both engines: a combined throttle axis is probably still assigned. Retain only the separate engine 1 and engine 2 axes.
• Only one engine reverses: check that both gate inputs are assigned and that the left and right engine commands have not been crossed.
• Thrust jumps or flickers at idle: add a small dead zone and recalibrate the aircraft's idle range. Excessive dead zone can make the detents inaccurate, so increase it gradually.
• It works in one aircraft but not another: the second aircraft probably expects a different axis variant or its own detent calibration. Keep separate profiles when their requirements differ.
• It worked under a different profile: confirm the intended profile is active. Editing one profile and then flying with another is a mistake we see constantly.

If the reverse-gate input is absent from both MSFS and the operating system's game-controller test panel, the problem is outside the aircraft binding. Reconnect the quadrant, try a direct USB connection and confirm that its axes and buttons are detected before changing more simulator settings.

When several unrelated controllers or aircraft are malfunctioning, our wider Microsoft Flight Simulator control and troubleshooting answers cover profile and simulator-level faults.

Can FSHud stop TCA Airbus reverse thrust working?

FSHud is not normally part of the TCA Airbus input path; MSFS and the loaded aircraft process the throttle axes and reverse commands.

If the fault appears while FSHud is running, test the same aircraft, runway state and controller profile without it. If reverse still fails, concentrate on idle detection, duplicate bindings and aircraft calibration. If it works in a stock aircraft but not a particular add-on, the add-on's throttle configuration is the more likely cause.

What should happen when reverse is used after landing?

A correct setup keeps forward thrust at idle, enters reverse only after touchdown and cancels reverse as soon as the levers leave the reverse gates.

The cockpit levers or engine display should show reverse deployment. Some aircraft provide proportional reverse as the TCA levers move within the reverse range; simpler implementations may command a less variable level of reverse. Use a calibrated full-axis method when accurate modulation is supported and required.

For the surrounding touchdown, spoiler, braking and rollout sequence, our practical A320 landing workflow in Microsoft Flight Simulator shows where reverse thrust fits.

Does the setup differ between MSFS 2020 and MSFS 2024?

The control principle is the same in MSFS 2020 and MSFS 2024, although their control screens, default presets and command presentation can differ.

Use separate engine axes, choose either hold reverse or aircraft-calibrated axis reverse, and remove conflicts. A dedicated profile created inside each simulator is safer than assuming an imported or automatically carried-over profile contains no duplicate assignments.