Question on programming a joystick or throttle if the action is not listed in MSFS

User Support Hub Hardware & Peripherals
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Hi All,

I am setting up my thrustmaster warthog for use with a single engined jet (Hawk T1). I know I can easily set up buttons for things listed in the MSFS options e.g. set a button to start VR or move the heading bug or start the engine.

But can you bind buttons to actions like switch on Anti Skid, or activate the low pressure fuel cock lever or even the turn smoke on buttons in the aircraft?

Thanks for any help.
Josh

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I use SPAD.NeXT which gives me access to all the Lvars, SimConnect vars, and other vars, and in the most current version, access to some Bvars (which are needed to make many cockpit animations work.)

Most of the time I can simply start typing for, let’s say, SMOKE, and find something in one of those categories.

Sometimes I have to use the Event Viewer and Data Monitor tools in SPAD to see what variables are triggered when I click on something in the cockpit. Once I know what the variable is I can bind it to a peripheral button/switch/lever.

Sometimes the developer has used such an obscure variable that I have to find it in Developer Mode Behaviors.

Sometimes I can’t find it at all, but that’s rare.

Point is, SPAD gives you access to and control over nearly every variable that the sim exposes - something the sim’s own controls page is limited at.

Others use Axes & Ohs. Others use (I think) FSUIPC to do roughly the same as I do with SPAD. It’s not easy to master - I’ve been at it for almost a year, and still consider myself an advanced beginner. But since I despise clicking on things in the cockpit, and am willing to spend hours (even days) binding as many controls to events as possible for each new plane, I find it has been an invaluable tool.

2 Likes
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Hi. Thanks.
I have spad and really have tried to learn it but all I have done so far is use snippets and profiles done by others. The events thing confuses the heck out of me even though I have tried to watch the videos :stuck_out_tongue_winking_eye:

That said if this is the only way then can try again as I am with you regards not wanting to click in a cockpit.

Thanks
Josh

4

Hi, based on your glowing recommendation above I went back to spad and spent the day (Yes the day) watching instruction videos :laughing:. Good news I have had some success. E.g. finding how to release the rudder lock on the HAWK and then programming it to a button on the warthog.

But when I click on some things in the cockpit nothing shows in the event monitor. Should I be looking somewhere else?

Thanks
Josh