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Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 (Also Known as MSFS2020 or FS2020) Control/Button Mappings

This repository contains recommended control mappings/setups for hands-on throttle and stick (HOTAS) equipment. I am just getting started and will probably customize my control mapping over time.

Equipment That I Use

I use the following equipment:

  • VKB Gunfighter Mark 3 (Mk.III) Base/Gimbal with a Space Combat Edition (SCE) Premium Right (i.e., right-handed stick). The Space Combat Edition is also known as a Kosmosima.

    • In the US, this joystick can be found here. Note that if you place an order, it ships DHL from Asia.

    • I picked up the Space Combat Edition / Kosmosima because I have small-ish hands, and this stick is known to fit people with smaller hands well. I also got it because I intend to play Star Wars Squadrons :)

    • The control template file is named "VKB Space Combat Edition (SCE) AKA Kosmosima Premium Right (Used With VPC CM2 Throttle and Gunfighter Mk.III Base-Gimbal)". I have a Microsoft PowerPoint (PPTX) version available, which should be editable for most folks. I also have a PDF version for folks that want to print and handwrite (or use Adobe Pro).

  • Virpil / VPC CM2 Throttle (i.e., the VPC MongoosT-50CM2 Throttle)

    • Virpil no longer sells the CM2 version of the throttle. However, you may find the newer CM3 version (i.e., the VPC MongoosT-50CM3) here. Note that if you place an order to the US, I highly recommend paying a little extra to ship via DHL. For whatever reason, my experience has always been that DHL clears customs much more quickly than other shipping couriers.

    • Based on some advice from agarwaen117 on Reddit, on my CM2 throttle, I wanted to use T1 - T4 as momentary on/off switches (flipping up = momentary button press, flipping off = different momentary button press). To do this, I had to customize my CM2 setup. Review the file Virpil_CM2_Throttle_Customizations_for_MSFS2020 for more information on replicating my configuration.

    • The control template file is named "Virpil-VPC MongoosT-50CM2 Throttle With T1-T4 Customized". I have a Microsoft PowerPoint (PPTX) version available, which should be editable for most folks. I also have a PDF version for folks that want to print and handwrite (or use Adobe Pro).

  • NaturalPoint TrackIR 5

    • You can purchase the TrackIR 5 at the bottom of this page.

    • TrackIR requires either an active IR emitter or a passive reflector. The use of either requires you to have something strapped to your head, which may be a turn-off for some folks. If you do not want something strapped to your head, yet want head tracking, see the SmoothTrack + opentrack option listed below.

    • After experimenting with a few options, I recommend an active IR emitter instead of a passive reflector. Active emitters exhibit much better accuracy, less jerky motion, and far fewer glitches.

    • Active IR emitters require power. Some are cabled and require USB power, and others have a built-in battery and are wireless. I am using a battery-powered wireless emitter made by Delan Engineering: the DELANCLiP Fusion (Wireless) . And because I do not wear over the ear headphones while I play, I also picked up Delan's Strap Mount for DELANCLiP, which works well.

    • I feel like an absolute dweeb playing MSFS2020 with this thing strapped to my head, but it has a tremendously positive effect on immersion while being far less clunky/demanding than wearing a VR headset.

    • TrackIR does not require any special configuration.

Other Hardware

  • SmoothTrack + opentrack

    • I have also used the SmoothTrack app on my cell phone + opentrack on my Windows system for head tracking.

    • This works, but your cell phone and laptop need to be able to communicate with each other on the network. This solution may require adjusting your Windows Firewall or updating the app's IP address setting to reflect the IP address of your laptop.

    • I found it slightly clunky and annoying to have my cell phone occupied for this purpose (I basically cannot use my phone at all while playing the game). If you're going to try this route, I recommend using a spare cell phone dedicated to head-tracking.

    • Overall, I like TrackIR better than using SmoothTrack + opentrack. But, one notable advantage of the SmoothTrack + opentrack solution is that it does not require anything strapped to your head.

  • Pedals

    • I do not have any pedals, but I may get some in the future. Pedals replace the functionality of the joystick twist.

I have listed other equipment in this repository based on replies from the community. I cannot personally vouch for these as I do not have the equipment.

Other Notes

You don't have to follow my advice, and there is no "right answer" for how to set up your HOTAS with Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020. However, based on my research, there are some conventional ways to use buttons on the stick. You should be aware of these conventions so that you do not inadvertently get used to an unconventional control setup, leading to issues playing other flight simulators in the future.

  • Big red button near your thumb

    • This is called the "pickle button" and is typically used for weapons employment (e.g., dropping bombs). There are no weapons in MSFS2020, so I use it for the Smart Camera.

  • The button that looks like a top-down view of a castle turret near your thumb

    • This button is conventionally used for a pilot to control something on an aircraft display. I have not found a need for this in MSFS2020 yet. So, instead, I use it for pilot "Quickviews".

  • Upper-right thumb button

    • This button is conventionally used for trim adjustments, and so that is how I have it configured.

Thanks

I based this repository on this Reddit thread. Thank you to all those that replied and helped me to get started!