How do I set up a Saitek/Logitech yoke and throttle in MSFS?

To configure a Saitek or Logitech yoke and throttle in Microsoft Flight Simulator, connect and test every unit in Windows, create a clean control profile for each detected device, assign analogue axis commands rather than button commands, remove duplicate bindings, then calibrate direction, dead zones and full travel before flying.

This is primarily a PC setup. A USB socket alone does not make older Saitek or Logitech flight controls compatible with Xbox Series X|S or PlayStation 5; console users need hardware explicitly supported on their platform.

Connect and test the yoke and quadrants

The packaged throttle quadrant connects to the yoke, while an additional standalone quadrant normally appears as its own USB controller.

1. Connect the packaged quadrant first. With the yoke unplugged from USB, insert the quadrant's round plug into the matching socket on the rear of the yoke. It resembles a computer keyboard connector but must go into the yoke, not the PC.
2. Connect extra quadrants by USB. A separately purchased USB quadrant should be connected directly to the PC while troubleshooting. Move it to a powered hub only after confirming that it works reliably.
3. Test the hardware in Windows. Press Windows key and R, enter joy.cpl, then open each controller's properties. Check that the yoke moves through pitch and roll, every lever covers its full range and the buttons illuminate when pressed.
4. Open Microsoft Flight Simulator after connecting everything. Enter the Controls settings and select each detected device. The quadrant supplied with the yoke may be represented by axes under the yoke rather than by a separate device tile.
5. Create a custom control preset. Duplicate the default preset or start with a clean one. Retain useful view and trim buttons, but remove conflicting flight-control and engine assignments before adding your own.

If the packaged quadrant does not react in joy.cpl, unplug the yoke from USB, reseat the round connector and test again. Our hardware-specific connection and mapping notes cover the yoke system's connection order in more detail.

Which MSFS axis assignments should I use?

Use commands containing Axis for the yoke and levers; digital commands such as increase, decrease, left or right are intended for keys and buttons.

Command wording differs slightly between Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 and 2024. Where both full-range and 0 to 100% throttle commands are offered, the 0–100% version suits a conventional quadrant without an analogue reverse range. Aircraft with custom idle or reverse detents may need their own profile and cockpit calibration.

The lower detent on a Saitek/Logitech lever is usually a button switch, not additional analogue travel. It can be assigned to an available reverse-toggle or throttle-decrease command, but its behaviour depends on the aircraft. For a fuller explanation of generic versus engine-specific mappings, see our throttle-axis configuration guide.

How do I configure two throttle quadrants?

For a twin-engine piston aircraft, map the six levers individually as two throttles, two propeller controls and two mixtures.

1. Arrange the levers logically. A common left-to-right layout is Throttle 1, Throttle 2, Propeller 1, Propeller 2, Mixture 1 and Mixture 2.
2. Assign engine-specific axes. Use Throttle 1 Axis and Throttle 2 Axis, followed by the corresponding Propeller and Mixture axes.
3. Remove generic duplicates. Delete any simultaneous Throttle Axis, Propeller Axis or Mixture Axis binding that moves both engines together.
4. Test one lever at a time. Watch the cockpit controls and engine instruments to confirm that each physical lever operates only its intended engine.

For a twin-engine jet, assign the first two levers to Throttle 1 and Throttle 2. Spare axes can operate spoilers or flaps when the aircraft supports normal simulator axis commands; complex airliners may instead require calibration through their own cockpit tablet or configuration panel.

Why are the yoke or throttle inputs reversed or duplicated?

Reversed and doubled controls are usually profile problems rather than faulty hardware.

• The aircraft responds in the wrong direction: enable the simulator's reverse-axis option for that assignment. Do not recalibrate the physical device backwards.
• The controls twitch or fight themselves: search by input and remove duplicate pitch, roll or throttle assignments from other controllers, including gamepads and joystick twist axes.
• One lever moves both engines: remove the generic throttle assignment and retain only the engine-specific axes.
• A lever reaches only part of its cockpit travel: verify its range in joy.cpl, recalibrate if necessary, then inspect the simulator's sensitivity and extremity settings.
• A stationary axis flickers: add only enough dead zone or extremity dead zone to stop the movement. Large values conceal useful control travel and make the yoke feel unresponsive.
• The throttle works in a simple aircraft but not an airliner: check autothrottle, AI piloting assistance, throttle locks and any aircraft-specific detent calibration.
• The device disconnects intermittently: test another direct USB port and temporarily remove unpowered hubs or extension leads.

If Windows sees the quadrant but Microsoft Flight Simulator does not respond after these checks, work through our throttle detection and conflict checklist.

Should I create separate profiles for different aircraft?

Separate profiles prevent a working general-aviation setup from being disrupted by twin-engine mappings, jet detents or aircraft-specific controls.

Keep at least one simple single-engine profile and another for twin-engine aircraft if you use two quadrants. Airliners with idle, climb and reverse detents deserve their own preset. Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 users may need to select the appropriate device preset manually, while MSFS 2024 can offer more aircraft-specific control options depending on the aircraft and controller.