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Throttle Calibration

Please Note

Throttle Calibration is required for all versions of the FlyByWire A32NX.

This guide will help you setting up your throttles for use with the FlyByWire A32NX.

It covers the frequently used Thrustmaster TCA Throttle Quadrant Airbus edition with 2 throttle axis, reversers and detents, the Thrustmaster TWCS Throttle as an example for a single axis throttle with no reverser and no detents and the Honeycomb Bravo Throttle Quadrant with its special button-style reverser.

Index

  1. Quick Start
  2. Thrustmaster TCA or similar (with Reverser on Axis)
  3. Thrustmaster TWCS or similar (without Reverser on Axis and no Detents)
  4. Honeycomb Bravo Throttle Quadrant
  5. Keyboard
  6. Xbox Controller
  7. Troubleshooting

Quick Start

This quickstart lists all necessary steps for calibrating your throttle. Please read the sections below for a detailed step-by-step guide.

Step 1: Setup the Correct Axis in Microsoft Flight Simulator Control Operations

  • For throttles with reversers and the Honeycomb Bravo map the throttle axis of your controller to THROTTLE 1 AXIS and THROTTLE 2 AXIS. Do NOT use THROTTLE 1 AXIS (0 TO 100%) in this case!
  • For throttles without reversers map the throttle axis of your controller to THROTTLE 1 AXIS (0 TO 100%) and THROTTLE 2 AXIS (0 TO 100%). Do NOT use THROTTLE 1 AXIS or THROTTLE 2 AXIS in this case!
  • If you only have one axis on your hardware you still need to map it to both, THROTTLE 1 AXIS (0 TO 100%) and THROTTLE 2 AXIS (0 TO 100%), as the A320 has two throttles and both need to be moved.
  • Test if you need to set REVERSE AXIS - the TCA needs this, other controllers might not.
  • Remove any sensitivity and dead zone settings for the throttle axis of your controller. Your throttle should be fully linear.

Detailed step-by-step Guide

Step 2: flyPad Throttle Calibration Page

  • Set Reverse On Axis and Independent Axis as required for your controller (for the TCA both are ON).
  • Move your controller all the way back (with reverser to Reverse Full, without reverser to Idle).
  • Click in the middle on the detent's name to select the detent you want to calibrate.
  • Move your controller's throttle to the corresponding detent and click on Set From Throttle to set the current throttle position as the value for this detent.
  • Repeat this for all positions/detents.
  • Click Save & Apply.
  • Test your settings.

Detailed step-by-step Guide

Thrustmaster TCA or Similar (with Reverser on Axis)

Thrustmaster TCA

Step 1: Microsoft Flight Simulator Controls Option

Open the Microsoft Flight Simulator Controls Option page.

Microsoft Flight Simulator Controls Option

Use the numbers in this image in the following text.

MSFS-ControlsOptions-Page

  • Select the TCA controller (1)

  • Click on SENSITIVITY (2)

    Make sure sensitivity setting are set to linear. Set them exactly as per image below.

    Sensitivity-Setting

  • Click on DONE

  • Open POWER MANAGEMENT - THROTTLE (3)

    You should see the currently assigned control mappings. If not use FILTER (6) to see all controllable attributes.

    Important

    Make sure NOT to use THROTTLE 1 AXIS (0 TO 100%) or THROTTLE 2 AXIS (0 TO 100%) for the TCA.

    Remove any mapping to these settings by double clicking the entry and choosing CLEAR CURRENT INPUT.

    Clear-Current-Input

    Look for THROTTLE 1 AXIS and THROTTLE 2 AXIS and map it like this (4):

    Throttle-Mapping

    Test it by moving the TCA throttle - the white bar should move (5).

  • Exit the Control Options dialog and don't forget to APPLY AND SAVE!

Now Microsoft Flight Simulator should be setup correctly. The throttles should already move from Full Reverse to TOGA!

Now let's calibrate the detents as they are NOT correct yet - continue with the next chapter.

Step 2: Calibrating the TCA throttle Detents in the FlyByWire flyPad (EFB)

Full Reverse

  • Make sure that your TCA throttles are all the way back to Full Reverse (pull the Reverse Levers up to do so).

    TCA-Full-Reverse

  • Open the flyPad (maybe pop it out to a separate window next to the throttle with Right Alt+Left Button) and go to Settings -> Calibrate.

    flyPad-Settings

    EFB-Calibrate

    Throttle Calibration Page:

    EFB-Calibration-Page

  • Set Reverser On Axis to ON (see 1 in image).

  • Set Independent Axis to ON (see 2 in image).

  • Click on Reverse Full in the middle (3)

    • Confirm that the value for Axis 1 (4) and Axis 2 is -1.0 (or very close to).

    To get the current throttle values it might be necessary to move the mouse outside the EFB window if you popped out the window with Right Alt+Left Button

  • Click on Set From Throttle for Axis 1 (6) and Axis 2 (7).

Reverse Idle

  • Move your TCA throttle forward until the Reverse Levers snap back and then pull the Reverse Levers up again and move the throttle back a bit. There is no detent for Reverse Idle so just make sure it is not all the way back but well out of the Idle Detent.

    To get the current throttle values it might be necessary to move the mouse outside the EFB window if you popped out the window with Right Alt+Left Button

    TCA-Reverse-Idle

  • Click on Reverse Idle in the middle (3)

  • Click on Set From Throttle for Axis 1 (6) and Axis 2 (7).

    EFB-Reverse-Idle

    Notice how the blue bar (current throttle position) is between two green lines. These green lines are your dead zone or dead band for the detent. As long as the blue bar is between them, the throttle reads this as the corresponding detent (in this case Reverse Idle). If you move the throttle outside these green bars they become gray as you now no longer are in the corresponding detent.

    You can enlarge the dead band by increasing the value above the "Set From Throttle" button. Currently this is 0.05 - set it as required which will move the green lines down/up. Usually the default values are sufficient.

Idle

  • Move the TCA throttle into the IDLE detent by moving it forward until the Reverse Levers snap back then pull the throttle levers back against the reverse lock.
  • Click on Idle in the middle (3).

  • Click on Set From Throttle for Axis 1 (6) and Axis 2 (7).

    EFB-Idle

CLB

  • Move the TCA throttle forward one detent (CLB detent).
  • Click on CLB in the middle (3).

  • Click on Set From Throttle for Axis 1 (6) and Axis 2 (7).

    EFB-climb

FLX/MCT

  • Move the TCA throttle forward one detent (FLX/MCT detent).
  • Click on FLX in the middle (3).

  • Click on Set From Throttle for Axis 1 (6) and Axis 2 (7).

    EFB-flex

TOGA

  • Move the TCA throttle all the way forward (TO GA).
  • Click on TOGA in the middle (3)

  • Click on Set From Throttle for Axis 1 (6) and Axis 2 (7).

    EFB-toga

  • Click on "SAVE AND APPLY" (8)

    EFB-SaveApply

  • Test each setting with a view like this. Make sure the mouse is outside the popout window otherwise the aircraft's throttles won't move.

    Test-view

Congratulations! You have successfully calibrated your TCA Throttle!

Thrustmaster TWCS or similar (without Reverser on Axis and no Detents)

This section describes the calibration of a single axis throttle with no Reverser on Axis and also no detents.

Example Thrustmaster TWCS Throttle:

Thrustmaster TWCS Throttle

The configuration is very similar to the above TCA, therefore we are only describing the differences to the settings above. Read the above section when something is unclear.

Step 1: Microsoft Flight Simulator Controls Option

Throttle Sensitivity

Same as described above, remove all sensitivity settings and make it linear. Be aware that your throttle might use different names for the axis. Move the throttle to see which graph is moving.

MSFS-Throttle-Sensitivity

Throttle Mapping

Instead of Throttle Axis 1/2 throttles without Reverser on Axis often need the Throttle Axis 1/2 (0 TO 100%) (see 1 in image below) setting. Some need the Reverse Axis box checked, some not. Find the right setting for your throttle by trial and error.

MSFS ThrottleAxis (0 TO 100%)

Also, as these throttles do not have reversers on their axis, we can map the reverser activation onto a button on the throttle or key on the keyboard (see 2 below). In the example below we used the button "3" for this.

TWCS-Reverser-Button

Hold this button and push the throttle forward to increase reverse thrust.

Step 2: Calibrating in the FlyByWire flyPad (EFB)

  • Go to the flyPad Throttle Calibration page

    EFB-Throttle-Calibration-Page

  • As this throttle has no reverse and only one real axis, set the Reverser on Axis to OFF (1) and also the Independent Axis to OFF (2)

  • Move the throttle all the way back to idle.

  • As described above we go through all detents and set the values accordingly with Set From Throttle. The easiest way to do that is by having the flyPad in a separate window next to the throttle as in the screenshot below.

    Flypad-next-to-Throttle

  • For the detents CL, FLX and TO GA you can increase the dead zone to make it easier to move your throttle into the detents.

    EFB-CLB-Detent

    In this example we have set the dead zone to 0.25 on either side of the actual setting. For FLX and TO GA you can use 0.10 or 0.15.

  • Click on "SAVE AND APPLY" (8) and test everything

    EFB-SaveApply

Congratulations! You have successfully calibrated your throttle!

Honeycomb Bravo Throttle Quadrant

Honeycomb-Bravo

The Honeycomb Bravo Throttle Quadrant does not have a real reverser on axis but emulates this by using a button when pulled back into the reverser position.

This makes configuration a bit awkward because Microsoft Flight Simulator is not capable to directly use this setup for a realistic reverser functionality.

To realistically use the reverser the pilot would lift the reverser lever and the pull the throttle back into the reverser range of the throttle axis.

There is however a way to simulate this with MSFS and the FlyByWire Throttle Calibration as described below.

Step 1: Microsoft Flight Simulator Controls Option

Throttle Sensitivity

Same as described above, remove all sensitivity settings and make it linear. Be aware that your throttle might use different names for the axis. Move the throttle to see which graph is moving.

MSFS-Throttle-Sensitivity

Throttle Mapping

The mapping required for the Bravo is shown in this screenshot:

Bravo-MSFS-Mapping

Be careful to use THROTTLE 1/2 AXIS and not THROTTLE 1/2 AXIS (0 TO 100%).

Also do make sure to have REVERSE AXIS unchecked!

The THROTTLE 1/2 DECREASE mapping to Buttons 10,26 and Buttons 11,27 simulates the reverser when the Bravo's reverser lever is lifted (buttons 10 and 11) and the thrust lever is pulled back (buttons 26 and 27). This activates the buttons configured in the image above and in turn decreases throttle power to negative values for the reverser.

If you release the reverser levers (buttons 10+11) the mapping to THROTTLE CUT activates and put the thrust back to idle.

If you use the GA levers you will need to map the reverser to some other button, e.g. on your yoke/side stick, as the reverser buttons (10, 11) will not be there.

Step 2: Calibrating in the FlyByWire flyPad (EFB)

Tip: Default Values for Bravo

You can use these default values for the Bravo throttle. See Manual Configuration on how to do this.

You still should verify the configurations as described below as all hardware units are slightly different.

[throttle_common]
reverse_on_axis = false

[throttle_axis_1]
reverse_low = -1.000000
reverse_high = -0.950000
reverse_idle_low = -0.720000
reverse_idle_high = -0.620000
idle_low = -1.000000
idle_high = -0.900000
climb_low = -0.161230
climb_high = 0.138770
flex_mct_low = 0.840000
flex_mct_high = 0.940000
toga_low = 0.950000
toga_high = 1.000000

[throttle_axis_2]
reverse_low = -1.000000
reverse_high = -0.950000
reverse_idle_low = -0.720000
reverse_idle_high = -0.620000
idle_low = -1.000000
idle_high = -0.900000
climb_low = -0.169348
climb_high = 0.130652
flex_mct_low = 0.820000
flex_mct_high = 0.920000
toga_low = 0.950000
toga_high = 1.000000

  • Go to the flyPad Throttle Calibration page

  • As this throttle has no reverser on the axis, set the Reverser on Axis to OFF but set Independent Axis to ON.

    EFB-Throttle-Calibration-Page

  • Move the throttle all the way back to idle.

  • As described above we go through all detents and set the values accordingly with Set From Throttle.

  • For the detents CL, FLX and TO GA you can increase the dead zone to make it easier to move your throttle into the detents.

    EFB-CLB-Detent

    In this example we have set the dead zone to 0.25 on either side of the actual setting. For FLX and TO GA you can use 0.10 or 0.15.

  • Click on "SAVE AND APPLY" (8) and test everything

    EFB-SaveApply

Congratulations! You have successfully calibrated your throttle!

Keyboard

Keyboard F1-F4

No calibration required for keyboard - read below!

The keyboard does not have any axis which could be used for controlling the throttles. It uses various keys to increase and decrease the throttles or to set the throttles to predetermined positions.

Please Note the Following

If you have trouble hitting the detents with the keyboard you might have an old configuration which has detents defined that are smaller than the 0.05 button stroke step size. To fix this you either:

  • Manually remove the old ThrottleConfiguration.ini in our work folder.
  • Fix the problematic detent's deadband size to be large than 0.05.

The default Microsoft Flight Simulator mappings is:

  • Ctrl+F1: Set throttles to IDLE
  • Ctrl+F2: Decrease throttle by 1/40th (below IDLE this engages the reverser)
  • Ctrl+F3: Increase throttle by 1/40th
  • Ctrl+F4: Set throttles to TO/GA

The A32NX throttle calibration uses values from -1.0 to +1.0:

  • Full Reverse is at -1.0
  • IDLE detent is at -0.5
  • CLB detent is at 0.0
  • MCT/FLX is at 0.5
  • TO/GA is at +1.0.

The step size for F2 and F3 is 0.05. This result in 40 steps in total from Full Reverse to TO/GA. The CLB detent is right in the middle at 20 steps.

With the default throttle configuration built into the A32NX this results in the following number of steps:

Counting from IDLE (-0.5):

  • 10 times Ctrl+F2 (decrease) for Full Reverse (-1.0)
  • 10 times Ctrl+F3 (increase) for CLB detent (-0.0)
  • 10 times Ctrl+F3 (increase) for MCT/FLX detent (0.5)
  • 10 times Ctrl+F3 (increase) for TO/GA detent (1.0)

Congratulations! You can use the keyboard for throttle control!

Xbox Controller

Xbox-Controller

No calibration required for the Xbox controller - read below!

The Xbox-Controller (or any other game controller) is very similar to controlling the throttle with the keyboard. It uses buttons to increase and decrease the throttles.

Therefore read the Keyboard section section but instead of F2 or F3 use the buttons mapped to throttle increase and decrease on your controller.

For the Xbox-Controller the default buttons are:

  • A: Increase throttle
  • B: Decrease throttle

Of course you can map different buttons in MSFS. Also other controllers might have different default buttons for the throttle.

msfs-throttle cut

We recommend to also map a button to set the throttles to IDLE during landing. This can be done by mapping the THROTTLE CUT function to a controller button.

Congratulations! You can use your Xbox controller for throttle control!

Troubleshooting

Detents Overlap

One of the most common issues is overlapping detents. Especially when coming from a different throttle (e.g. without reverser axis).

You can't Save and/or Apply while this error message is shown!

EFB-Overlapping-Detents

This can easily be fixed by carefully following the steps above which will remove the error message which then in turn allows to SAVE & APPLY.

Another solution is to simply delete the current configuration file (as described in the next chapter) and start over your configuration from default values.

Manual Configuration

Expert Advice - use with care!

This configuration is meant for users who are comfortable with finding and change setting-files manually. It is important to create a backup copy of each file you modify before changing anything to be able to revert to the previous state in case things go wrong!

To setup or correct throttle calibration values directly we follow these steps which are detailed below.

  1. Shut down Microsoft Flight Simulator.
  2. Locate you "work*" folder.
  3. Locate the "ThrottleConfiguration.ini" file.
  4. Create a backup copy of the "ThrottleConfiguration.ini" file.
  5. Delete or Edit the "ThrottleConfiguration.ini" file as required!
  6. Start Microsoft Flight Simulator and test.

Work Folder

Microsoft Flight Simulator allows mods like FlyByWire A32NX to store configuration and other data in a folder called "work": This folder is located in different places for the MS Store version and the Steam version of Microsoft Flight Simulator. The folder's location is described in the next paragraphs.

If you can't find the folders these folders might be hidden from you by Windows. Follow the directions on "View hidden files and folders in Windows 10" on Microsoft's support site.

Microsoft Store Version

The folder can be found here:

%LOCALAPPDATA%\Packages\Microsoft.FlightSimulator_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalState\packages\flybywire-aircraft-a320-neo\work

This is not your community directory

Steam Version

The folder can be found here:

%APPDATA%\Microsoft Flight Simulator\Packages\flybywire-aircraft-a320-neo\work

This is not your community directory

ThrottleConfiguration.ini

The "ThrottleConfiguration.ini" file stores the configuration values from the flyPad Throttle Calibration page.

You can edit or delete this file while Microsoft Flight Simulator is shut down and it will be loaded when you start the next flight with the FlyByWire A32NX.

To restore the default values you can just delete this file. It will be regenerated the next time you start a flight with the FlyByWire A32NX and use the flyPad Throttle Configuration page to SAVE & APPLY a configuration.

Warning

The below example file can be used as a starting point for a Thrustmaster TCA Throttle Quadrant although it is easier to just delete the config file and restart configuration.

Be aware that each throttle is a little different and you MUST verify that these values work for your hardware!

Example "ThrottleConfiguration.ini" file based on the default values:

[throttle_common]
reverse_on_axis = true

[throttle_axis_1]
reverse_low = -1.00
reverse_high = -0.95
reverse_idle_low = -0.72
reverse_idle_high = -0.62
idle_low = -0.50
idle_high = -0.40
climb_low = -0.03
climb_high = -0.07
flex_mct_low = 0.42
flex_mct_high = 0.52
toga_low = 0.95
toga_high = 1.00

[throttle_axis_2]
reverse_low = -1.00
reverse_high = -0.95
reverse_idle_low = -0.72
reverse_idle_high = -0.62
idle_low = -0.50
idle_high = -0.40
climb_low = -0.03
climb_high = -0.07
flex_mct_low = 0.42
flex_mct_high = 0.52
toga_low = 0.95
toga_high = 1.00

Additional Video Guides

FBW Tool-Tips | Throttle Calibration

FBW Tool-Tips | Throttle Calibration Flybywire A32NX Throttle Calibration Tutorial

Credits to British Avgeek

Last update: October 6, 2021
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