Set up Thrustmaster TCA Airbus controls in MSFS 2020, map the correct axes, calibrate throttle detents and fix reversed inputs.
In Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020, connect and verify each Thrustmaster TCA Airbus device, open Options > Controls Options, duplicate its default preset, and bind the sidestick and throttle axes separately. Remove duplicate assignments, check axis direction and full travel, then calibrate the Airbus throttle detents inside any aircraft that provides its own calibration tool.
What should I do before opening MSFS 2020?
Make sure the operating system can see each USB device and its full axis travel before configuring the simulator.
- Connect the controls directly: avoid an unpowered USB hub while setting them up. The sidestick and throttle quadrant normally appear as separate devices when each has its own USB connection.
- Check the hardware in Windows: press
Win + R, enterjoy.cpl, and test every axis and button. If an axis is missing or cannot reach both ends here, fix the driver, firmware or connection before changing MSFS settings. - Set the hardware selectors: choose the intended left- or right-seat position on the sidestick. If the quadrant has an engine selector, use engines 1 and 2 for a twin-engine Airbus.
- Avoid unnecessary Windows calibration: use the hardware calibration procedure supplied for the exact TCA model rather than forcing a generic Windows calibration unless its instructions specifically require that.
On Xbox Series X|S, the controls must be an Xbox-compatible TCA model. Windows driver and joy.cpl checks do not apply there.
How do I map the TCA sidestick and throttle quadrant?
Create one custom preset for each detected TCA device, then assign analogue controls to axis commands rather than directional button commands.
- Open the control settings: start MSFS 2020 and go to
Options > Controls Options. Select the sidestick tile first. - Duplicate the detected preset: use Preset Manager to copy the default profile instead of editing or clearing it blindly. Our guide to preserving dedicated aircraft profiles and switching presets safely explains the profile workflow in more detail.
- Show all available commands: change the filter from Assigned to All. Search by command name, or use the input-search function and move the relevant control.
- Bind the primary axes: use the assignments below as the starting point. Command wording can vary slightly between simulator updates.
- Remove competing assignments: inspect the sidestick, quadrant, pedals and any game controller. A mistake we see constantly is leaving the sidestick throttle slider and quadrant bound to the same throttle axis.
- Apply and test: save the preset, load a simple flight and move each control slowly while watching the cockpit control and external control surfaces.
| Physical control | MSFS 2020 assignment | Setup note |
|---|---|---|
| Sidestick left/right | Ailerons Axis | Do not use separate Aileron Left and Aileron Right commands. |
| Sidestick forward/back | Elevator Axis | Reverse the axis only if the cockpit stick moves in the wrong direction. |
| Sidestick twist | Rudder Axis | Lock the twist and remove this binding when using separate rudder pedals. |
| Sidestick throttle slider | Throttle Axis (0 to 100%) | Use it only when no separate quadrant is connected. |
| Left quadrant lever | Throttle 1 Axis (0 to 100%) | Assign it to engine 1, then check idle and full travel. |
| Right quadrant lever | Throttle 2 Axis (0 to 100%) | Assign it to engine 2 rather than a combined throttle command. |
| Rudder pedal toe brakes | Left Brake Axis and Right Brake Axis | Reverse each brake axis if the brakes engage when released. |
Leave the quadrant’s engine master and mode switches on their recognised default assignments initially. Switch behaviour varies more between aircraft than the primary flight axes; some third-party Airbus models use custom events and may not respond to the standard MSFS command.
Sensitivity and dead-zone settings
Begin with a linear response and no added dead zone, then change only what the hardware needs. Add the smallest practical dead zone if the centred sidestick or twist axis jitters, but do not use sensitivity settings to hide an incorrect binding or incomplete travel.
If the control moves backwards, use the axis reversal option rather than applying an extreme sensitivity curve. We cover the relevant graphs and duplicate-binding checks in our guide to tuning MSFS 2020 joystick sensitivity, reversal and dead zones.
How do I calibrate the Airbus throttle detents?
Calibrate the detents inside the aircraft when that Airbus add-on provides its own throttle configuration page.
First confirm that both levers move smoothly across their complete range in MSFS. Then open the aircraft’s tablet, electronic flight bag or configuration interface and register the requested positions, normally reverse, IDLE, CL, FLEX/MCT and TOGA. Follow the order shown by that aircraft because the procedure is not universal.
Use axis-based reverse thrust when the aircraft’s calibration system recognises the reverse section of the quadrant. If it does not, keep the main throttle range at idle-to-maximum and assign the reverse lever or button to the supported reverse-thrust command. Do not configure both methods at once, or the throttle can jump between idle and reverse.
For a closer look at lever direction, engine assignments and detent ranges, use our procedure for calibrating the TCA Airbus quadrant and its detents.
Why are the TCA controls reversed, duplicated or not detected?
Most TCA setup faults come from a reversed axis, two devices controlling the same function, or hardware that was not detected before MSFS started.
- The aircraft rolls or pitches by itself: switch the filter to Assigned and inspect every connected device for duplicate aileron or elevator axes. Disconnecting other controllers temporarily can identify the conflict.
- The throttle jumps or will not stay at idle: remove the sidestick slider’s throttle assignment, verify that each quadrant lever controls only its own engine, and repeat the aircraft-specific detent calibration.
- An axis moves backwards: change the Reverse Axis setting once. Do not reverse it in both MSFS and the aircraft’s calibration page.
- Rudder or brakes remain partly applied: look for duplicate twist, pedal and gamepad bindings, then add only enough dead zone to eliminate genuine centre jitter.
- A device is absent from Controls Options: close MSFS, reconnect it, confirm that the operating system detects it, and restart the simulator. Test a direct USB port before changing profiles.
- Engine switches do nothing: confirm that the selected aircraft supports standard MSFS fuel-valve and starter events. Custom Airbus systems may require bindings defined by that aircraft rather than the default TCA preset.
If the hardware appears but still produces no usable input, work through the TCA-specific detection and binding faults before deleting the control profiles.