Thrustmaster USB Joystick doesn't turn on the ground only

[PickleRick]

Helping my son with this game, so please help me! The properties checked out, all buttons, etc. are working. Joystick works when in flight, and at all other times, just not when the plane is on the ground - it won't turn when moving the joystick to the left or right. We have unplugged it, restarted the computer, reset default settings within the game. Any other suggestions?

[TextRich]

Which Thurstmaster joystick is it? I used to have one - the T-HOTAS X. It has a twist handle. If that is similar to your son's joystick, then you need to go to Settings-->Controls, click the Control Axes tab, make sure your joystick is selected, and then double-click Rudder Axis. Twist the joystick when prompted. The sim will recognize that twist. Save it. From now on you will be able to turn left/right when moving on the ground. That is how most real planes turn on the ground - either with the rudder or by using left/right brakes (which can be done with the keyboard or with flight pedals).

I THINK the FSX default settings allow you to just turn the yoke or stick left/right to steer on the ground, but I have not use that feature for years. Perhaps other sims use it and not FSX - I can't remember. :-) Even so, that isn't how real planes turn on the ground in real life, and you and your son will understand how flying works better if you use the rudder for turning on the ground anyway. :-) As a bonus, when flying the rudder makes landing, especially when trying to land in a crosswind, much, much easier.

[Nightmare1964]

+1 for BF Bullpups reply.

Are you twisting the stick left or right when taxiing, or pushing the stick over to the left or right, in the the air this would bank the aircraft that direction?

On the ground, all aircraft use their rudder to steer, so you would need to twist the stick in the direction to want to go.

Some aircraft have castor type nosewheels where power and differential brakes help steer the aircraft on the ground, but the rudder is still the primary means of stearing