Can't Get Past Setting Up Controls

[Sparky862]

So .... Many ..... Settings.

I have NO IDEA how to even bind what key to what setting cause it seems like there is over 500 settings to bind in the key options

[Sparky862]

I mean, my HOTAS doesn't even work in this game. My PC picks it up, but no keys are assigned to my HOTAS and I am looking at the Controls to bind my HOTAS and, well, yeah ... what?

[Ironwu]

My recommendation is to learn to just start your aircraft up. Then learn to Taxi. Learn to Takeoff. Learn to fly and navigate. Learn to land.

This will reduce the amount of controls needed to be learned to a minimum. If you have an aircraft that supports it, use the Clickable Cockpit to reduce need for Keyboard learning significantly.

Make a Startup, Takeoff, Landing checklist with tasks and appropriate speeds. :)

Good Hunting

[Ironwu]

Originally posted by Sparky862:

I mean, my HOTAS doesn't even work in this game. My PC picks it up, but no keys are assigned to my HOTAS and I am looking at the Controls to bind my HOTAS and, well, yeah ... what?

There are two types of control setting for you HOTAS in DCS. One type is for Button type controls, and those are all listed in the Non-Axis Commands lists. The other type is for your analog axis, like Throttle, Joystick, etc. Those are under the Axis Commands lists.

[bingbean]

I was bind my joystick while i played tutorial missions. Instructor say turn on LLTV by pressing Ctrl+O for example. When i decided that i want this function on my HOTAS i was pause the game, open the control setting , then i pressed Ctrl+O what find for me that function and i bind it to my HOTAS. Then i come back and continue tutorial and so on.

[Gunfreak]

Which hotas and which plane?

Grim reapers have a video for almost all moduals that show which are the most important buttons to map.

Here is the A10 as an example.
https://youtu.be/R7pwRz-avvI

[Sparky862]

Originally posted by Gunfreak:

Which hotas and which plane?

Grim reapers have a video for almost all moduals that show which are the most important buttons to map.

Here is the A10 as an example.
https://youtu.be/R7pwRz-avvI

T.16000M HOTAS.

Will have a look at their channel. I managed to take off atleast by following advice from BingBean

[bingbean]

Personally, I prefer to make my own joystick settings. But as an inspiration, the settings of other players can help.
https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/files/search/?q=T16000m&s=Search

[SSerponi76]

Originally posted by Sparky862:

So .... Many ..... Settings.

I have NO IDEA how to even bind what key to what setting cause it seems like there is over 500 settings to bind in the key options

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIXdazooP30

[startrekmike]

Originally posted by Sparky862:

Originally posted by Gunfreak:

Which hotas and which plane?

Grim reapers have a video for almost all moduals that show which are the most important buttons to map.

Here is the A10 as an example.
https://youtu.be/R7pwRz-avvI

T.16000M HOTAS.

Will have a look at their channel. I managed to take off atleast by following advice from BingBean

For a new player, it can seem pretty difficult to really know what should go where in regards to bindings but there are a few tips you can keep in mind that will help you a great deal.

First and foremost. I know this video has already been linked but I will link it again because it is the foundation you are going to build on and seeing it all done (correctly) by one of the Eagle Dynamics team is important.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIXdazooP30&ab_channel=MattWagner

When you finish watching that, here are the tips.

1.) Always start from a blank slate. Unbind EVERY default binding on your HOTAS and any other flight sim peripherals you might get in the future (don't touch the keyboard, mouse, etc. Just the category for your HOTAS setup). Doing this will remove any chance for binding conflicts and will also remove any chance of having to deal with DCS's absolutely awful default bindings (I don't blame them on this, there are so many configurations and there is no way to make it work better).

One thing you will want to keep in mind for the future is that there are some cases where default bindings are actually quite good but they are VERY conditional. For example. If you own a Thrustmaster Warthog HOTAS and use the default bindings for the A-10C module, they will be exactly right. That said. you will need that specific HOTAS for that to work out for you.

2.) As you saw in the video, each aircraft module's controls are broken up into a pull down menu of categories. All modules will have categories like "stick", "throttle" or (if the plane is more modern) "HOTAS". These are really the major areas that you will want to focus on in regards to bindings. Anything that isn't on the stick or throttle really should be assigned based on availability of buttons on your HOTAS or just personal taste. The stuff in the stick, throttle, or HOTAS categories should be considered essential and bound up before any other switch or button.

If you want some ideas on how to bind up the various stick/throttle/HOTAS categories, take a look at the diagrams that are often in the manuals that will show you diagrams of the real aircraft's stick and throttle controls layout. This might provide some inspiration and will certainly be helpful.

3.) Build up a system and stick with it. Some players will try to replicate the general layout of controls for each individual aircraft module and while that is certainly a valid option, it is also the one that will be most difficult for you (as a new player) to deal with. The other approach is to slowly develop a set of rules you follow that help speed up the process and create a sense of relative consistency between aircraft. For example. If I am binding up the JF-17, I will set the countermeasures controls to the same hat switch I have it set for on every other module. Likewise. I always use the same hat switch for the radio controls and always have the weapon release, speed brakes, and the like on the same controls. Doing this makes binding faster and learning aircraft easier since you are not also trying to remember bespoke control bindings (as much).

It is going to be tough to bind controls the first couple of times but once you do it enough, it gets very easy and very fast.

[Sparky862]

This might be a stupid question, but .....

I don't have dual throttle. Single Throttle only. So I can set my keys in the controls to "thrust" both engines at the same time?

Also I can set my "engines" to start both at the same time and not start left and right individually?

[Gunfreak]

Originally posted by Sparky862:

This might be a stupid question, but .....

I don't have dual throttle. Single Throttle only. So I can set my keys in the controls to "thrust" both engines at the same time?

Also I can set my "engines" to start both at the same time and not start left and right individually?

I think most 2 engine planes should have a buttom map to control both engines.
Which plane is this?

[Sparky862]

Originally posted by Gunfreak:

Originally posted by Sparky862:

This might be a stupid question, but .....

I don't have dual throttle. Single Throttle only. So I can set my keys in the controls to "thrust" both engines at the same time?

Also I can set my "engines" to start both at the same time and not start left and right individually?

I think most 2 engine planes should have a buttom map to control both engines.
Which plane is this?

Frogfoot. Free Jet.

I only saw there are options for this under settings menu. But tutorial had me start up both engines one at a time ...

[Gunfreak]

Originally posted by Sparky862:

Originally posted by Gunfreak:

I think most 2 engine planes should have a buttom map to control both engines.
Which plane is this?

Frogfoot. Free Jet.

I only saw there are options for this under settings menu. But tutorial had me start up both engines one at a time ...

Aren't the start procedure in the FC3 planes just a button press?
I haven't really flown the FC3 planes a lot.

[Richardus]

Assign Pitch to joystick Y axis
Assign Roll to joystick X axis
Assign Rudder to joystick Z axis or throttle flapper thing
Assign thrust to the throttle's throttle axis

There is a command to start both engines simultaneously (shift+home) or individually (alt+home for left and ctrl+home for right).

I recommend only binding stuff on your HOTAS if it's needed in-flight/combat. Internal/external lighting, engine start/stop and stuff like that can be kept on keyboard since you don't really need quick access to it.

[Karmaterrorᵁᴷ]

Originally posted by Gunfreak:

Originally posted by Sparky862:

Frogfoot. Free Jet.

I only saw there are options for this under settings menu. But tutorial had me start up both engines one at a time ...

Aren't the start procedure in the FC3 planes just a button press?
I haven't really flown the FC3 planes a lot.

So far for me its 3 needed presses, close canopy>electrics on>engine start

@OP

"Throttle levers" is the one that moves both throttles at once
And there should be "engines on" instead of "engine right on/engine left on" in the bindings :)