Adding second throttle quadrant

[dswain705]

How do I install a second throttle quadrant since there is only 1 plug?

[3 Wire]

I'm not sure you can have two running at the same time. Seems to me that would confuse FSX SE.

Just curious, but why would you want two throttle quadrants installed anyway...??

Can you provide a little more specific info, like what type of throttles and what types of plugs..??

[LHookins]

You can have various controllers installed as long as you can configure FSX to use the proper axis.

With only one USB port you will have to purchase a "USB hub". It will give you additional ports. These have been known to cause problems so if you are going to go this route, be sure to purchase a powered hub. The single USB port you plug into might not have enough power to run all the USB devices you want.

Hook

[3 Wire]

Originally posted by LHookins:

You can have various controllers installed as long as you can configure FSX to use the proper axis.

With only one USB port you will have to purchase a "USB hub". It will give you additional ports. These have been known to cause problems so if you are going to go this route, be sure to purchase a powered hub. The single USB port you plug into might not have enough power to run all the USB devices you want.

Hook

Good info on the controllers Hook.

I'm still not real clear on why anyone would want two throttle quadrants in use at the same time, but maybe I'm missing something...??

What kind of computer has only one USB port..?? Even laptops have more than that don't they..?? But you're right about the powered hub, my Bro has one for his PC, but it's only because all the factory available USB ports on his Lenovo box have something plugged in to them.

[LHookins]

I'm still not real clear on why anyone would want two throttle quadrants in use at the same time,

Multi engine piston aircraft. Each engine needs a throttle, a prop control and a mixture control.

I have a CH Products throttle quadrant with six levers. That will control two engines. If I wanted to have full control of a four engine aircraft, I'd need two. :) It may seem frivolous, but having separate engine controls really does help, and it's a lot easier than other methods. I wish I'd gotten the throttle quadrant years ago.

Hook

[3 Wire]

Originally posted by LHookins:

I'm still not real clear on why anyone would want two throttle quadrants in use at the same time,

Multi engine piston aircraft. Each engine needs a throttle, a prop control and a mixture control.

I have a CH Products throttle quadrant with six levers. That will control two engines. If I wanted to have full control of a four engine aircraft, I'd need two. :) It may seem frivolous, but having separate engine controls really does help, and it's a lot easier than other methods. I wish I'd gotten the throttle quadrant years ago.

Hook

Thanks for the explanation Hook. I get the concept now that you've explained it, and it's not so much that it sounds "frivolous" or anything, but it sounds god awful complicated, and by that I mean you'd obviously need both hands to manipulate two of these six headed monsters, plus the physical space they would occupy. Yikes..!!

I guess it's just difficult for a modern tubeliner jet junkie like me to wrap my head around. Different strokes for different folks I suppose.

[LHookins]

A four engine jetliner will have four throttles in a row. You move them all at the same time with one hand.

In the movie "The Aviator" you see Howard Hughes with the eight throttles on the Spruce Goose, moving them all with one hand, a bit at a time, the four on the left then the four on the right and repeat.

Generally the two throttles will be adjacent so you move them with one hand and tilt your hand a bit to get some differential throttle when needed. The other controls may or may not be adjacent depending on the aircraft.

Hook

[3 Wire]

Originally posted by LHookins:

A four engine jetliner will have four throttles in a row. You move them all at the same time with one hand.

In the movie "The Aviator" you see Howard Hughes with the eight throttles on the Spruce Goose, moving them all with one hand, a bit at a time, the four on the left then the four on the right and repeat.

Generally the two throttles will be adjacent so you move them with one hand and tilt your hand a bit to get some differential throttle when needed. The other controls may or may not be adjacent depending on the aircraft.

Hook

Now I know why I don't fly 4 engined propliners..LOL

[LHookins]

Originally posted by 3 Wire:

Now I know why I don't fly 4 engined propliners..LOL

I have only one. The Boeing Stratocruiser from A2A. The pilot's station has four throttles, one prop control on the left of the throttles and one mixture control on the right. The engineer's station has additional controls to fine tune mixtures and prop speeds, but it also has a simulated engineer to handle these functions if you prefer. I'd have to check again to be sure (haven't flown it in quite some time) but I think the mixture control has auto-rich and auto-lean.

For twin engine aircraft I have a DC-3 and the Grumman Goose, both of which I love to fly. The DC-3 has auto-rich and auto-lean settings.

When I fly the A2A Piper Cub, which has only a single throttle control, I use the throttle lever on the far left of the throttle quadrant. :) The other levers are pushed forward out of the way. This is also how I fly single engine planes; the unused controls are pushed forward.

If I ever get back into helicopters (or sailplanes) I'll use my CH Products pro throttle instead of the quadrant.

Hook