Set up a Thrustmaster AVA base correctly: mounting, cams, springs, drivers, calibration, sim bindings and fixes for common axis problems.
For general PC flight simulation, set up the Thrustmaster AVA base by mounting it rigidly, fitting a compatible grip, choosing suitable cams, springs and travel, installing the Thrustmaster driver and firmware, checking calibration, and binding only the pitch and roll axes in a clean simulator profile.
What do you need before setting up the AVA base?
The AVA is a two-axis PC joystick base, not a complete joystick, so it needs a compatible grip and a secure mounting position. Confirm that your exact grip is approved for the AVA connector; compatibility should not be assumed merely because both products carry the Thrustmaster name.
The base provides roll and pitch. Plan to use pedals or another separate control for rudder, and remember that heavier metal grips and extensions apply considerable leverage to a desk mount.
- Rigid mount: Use the AVA mounting pattern, suitable bolts and a solid plate or cockpit frame. Check bolt length so nothing protrudes into the base.
- Compatible grip: Align the keyed electrical connector before tightening the retaining collar. Do not use the collar to pull a misaligned connector into place.
- Direct USB connection: Use a reliable PC USB port during initial setup and firmware work. Add a powered hub only after the base works correctly.
- Separate rudder control: Do not assign the roll axis as rudder merely to compensate for the base having no twist axis.
How should the AVA cams, springs and travel be configured?
Choose the mechanical setup for the grip length, mounting position and aircraft rather than copying another simmer’s settings. The exact selection of cams, springs and travel components can differ between AVA bundles and accessory kits.
| Adjustment | What it changes | How to choose |
|---|---|---|
| Cam profile | Centre detent and how force builds through the throw | Use a gentler centre for helicopters and fine formation work; stronger progressive centring suits many jet setups. |
| Springs or preload | Overall centring force | Use lighter force for a short desktop grip and stronger springs when an extension or heavy grip adds leverage. |
| Travel limiter or mask | Maximum physical movement | Long travel gives finer control; reduced travel helps where space is limited or a short-throw feel is preferred. |
| Simulator response curve | How physical movement becomes a control command | Leave it linear initially. Add a curve only after the mechanical setup and raw axis signal are correct. |
A cam changes the force profile; it does not replace a simulator response curve. Likewise, a stronger spring cannot repair noisy calibration or duplicate bindings.
Disconnect USB power before opening or adjusting the mechanism. Follow the AVA instructions for unloading and retaining springs, change one axis at a time, and make sure paired components are seated symmetrically. Never pull a loaded spring free by hand or lubricate the mechanism with an unspecified product.
How do you install and calibrate the AVA base?
Complete the mechanical configuration before final calibration, especially when changing anything that affects axis travel or the resting centre.
- Secure the base: Mount it before fitting a heavy grip or extension. A moving desk clamp can feel exactly like unwanted control play.
- Fit the grip: With USB disconnected, support the grip, align the connector and tighten the collar by hand. If it binds, stop and reseat it; do not twist an engaged connector to straighten the grip.
- Install the AVA software: Use the approved Thrustmaster driver and firmware package for the base, following its connection prompts. Our Thrustmaster driver and firmware checklist covers the wider PC installation sequence.
- Update firmware carefully: Connect directly to the PC, close the simulator and controller software, and do not disconnect power during the update.
- Test raw input: Open the Thrustmaster control panel and confirm that X and Y move smoothly, reach their expected endpoints and return to centre.
- Apply AVA-specific calibration: If endpoints or centre are wrong, use the calibration method specified for the AVA package. Do not begin with the legacy Windows calibration wizard, because Thrustmaster hardware may use its own routine.
Keep the stick centred while the USB connection initialises, then move it through its full physical range if the calibration instructions request it. Recheck calibration after replacing travel components; changing only spring force or cam feel may not alter electronic endpoints, but it can expose an incorrectly assembled centre.
For the complete hardware-to-simulator sequence, including Windows testing and profile management, see our PC joystick calibration workflow.
How should AVA axes be assigned in a flight simulator?
Bind the AVA directly as analogue pitch and roll, then remove those axes from every other connected controller. Start with a linear response, full usable range and no dead zone; add only the smallest dead zone needed to stop visible centre movement.
| Simulator | Recommended assignment | Common trap |
|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 or 2024 | Aileron axis and elevator axis | Assigning digital left, right, up or down commands instead of the analogue axes. |
| X-Plane | Roll and pitch, followed by X-Plane’s own joystick calibration | Assuming driver calibration removes the need for the simulator’s calibration pass. |
| DCS | Roll and pitch under each aircraft’s axis commands | Automatic assignments placing the same axes on the throttle, pedals and AVA base. |
| FSX or Prepar3D | Aileron axis and elevator axis | Allowing both the simulator and external mapping software to process the same input. |
Microsoft Flight Simulator users should create an empty or clearly named AVA preset rather than modifying an unknown default. Our guide to building a clean MSFS 2020 or 2024 controller profile explains the axis, sensitivity and conflict checks.
Test with the aircraft stationary and the cockpit controls visible. Full left and right stick should move the ailerons in the correct direction; pulling back should command elevator up. Reverse the affected axis in the simulator if the direction is wrong rather than altering the mechanical assembly.
Why is the AVA base off-centre or not reaching full travel?
Most AVA input faults come from calibration, an incorrectly seated grip, asymmetric mechanical assembly or duplicate simulator assignments.
| Symptom | Likely cause and fix |
|---|---|
| Base is not detected | Try a direct USB port, reseat the cable, close controller utilities and reinstall the approved driver package. |
| Buttons disappear or inputs flicker | Disconnect USB and inspect the grip connector and retaining collar. A partially seated grip can pass some inputs but not others. |
| Axis stops before its endpoint | Recalibrate after changing travel hardware. Remove simulator saturation or range adjustments while diagnosing it. |
| Stick does not return evenly to centre | Check cam orientation, spring seating, mounting interference and grip alignment before hiding the error with a large dead zone. |
| Aircraft moves with the stick centred | Check the raw control-panel signal, then remove duplicate pitch and roll assignments from gamepads, throttles and pedals. |
| Controls change when a software profile starts | The simulator may be seeing both the physical AVA and a virtual controller. Bind only the device that the active profile is intended to expose. |
Do you need T.A.R.G.E.T software for the AVA base?
No, T.A.R.G.E.T is optional for normal pitch, roll and button assignments. Direct simulator bindings are simpler and reduce device-identity and duplicate-input problems.
Use T.A.R.G.E.T only when you need macros, shifted button layers or a combined virtual controller. Start its profile before opening the simulator, bind the resulting virtual device, and clear equivalent bindings from the physical AVA and other merged controls.