Using unrecognized USB devices with Microsoft Flight Simulator.

[SimWare 729]

 

Using unrecognized USB devices
with Microsoft Flight Simulator.
PDF version here
 

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A common question we have is “ My previously perfectly working USB device isn’t working with Flight Simulator
while it is perfectly functional with Xplane, P3D, FSX…”

No worry. It is simply because Flight Simulator handles USB devices (Joysticks, yokes, throttles, rudder pedals, …)
a bit differently than the other simulators.

Flight Simulator has a “built-in” list of several popular devices.
When connected those devices appear in Flight Simulator with their picture as well as several default assignments.

 

However, the ones not in this list are well “electrically” recognized, but no picture, nor default assignments are available.

 

And this is good ! Simply because you start from a white sheet and will avoid any unwanted assignment.
You will be able to taylor the assignments precisely to your needs

without having to check, chase, change or delete any automatic ones.

 

We will show you step by step how to setup such a device.
We will use the CH Products Pro Pedals USB.
The same method applies for any other similar device however.

 

STEP 1:
Check that the unit is recognized in the Windows joystick utility.

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STEP 2:
In Flight Simulator, goto OPTIONS -> CONTROLS
The CH Pro Pedals USB appears in the upper list of the detected devices,
but no picture and no assignment.

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STEP 3 :
1 - Click on FILTER and set it to ALL

2 – Click on “EXPAND / COLLAPSE ALL
All the available functions will appear in the center pane.

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STEP 4:
In the center pane :
1 – Click on FLIGHT CONTROL SURFACES to expand them further
2 – Click on PRIMARY CONTROL SURFACES to expand them further
3 – Double click on the left grey box next to RUDDER AXIS

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STEP 5:
A dialog box will popup.
Click on the magnifying glass to start the axis scan process

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STEP 6:
The scanning box will turn white.
Move the rudder pedal  for the simulator to detect wich axis must be assigned.

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STEP 7:
Once detected, the axis will appear.
Click VALIDATE

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STEP 8:
A new profile name will appear as the DEFAULT profiles can’t save changes.
Simply click OK

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STEP 9:
The RUDDER AXIS assignment now appears in the center pane.

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STEP 10:
Repeat the operation for the brakes.
1 - Click on BRAKES to expand them further

2 – Assign LEFT BRAKE AXIS

3 – Assign RIGHT BRAKE AXIS
4 – Click APPLY & SAVE

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IMPORTANT :
Depending on the devices and how their potentiometers are wire inside,

You may need to check the REVERSE AXIS box for one or more ax(i)(e)s
No general rule here. Simply check the behavior in the simulator then come back to the
settings if needed.

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Check this short video showing the steps above :

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MSFS-Unknown-device.pdf