MSFS HOTAS Setup Checklist

Quick answerFollow the checklist in order: secure the stick and throttle, connect them directly, create a controller profile, bind only the commands you need, inspect conflicts and axis direction, then export the profile and test every control on the runway before adding aircraft-specific commands.

Before you connect

Make the desk fit firstClear a stable area for the stick, throttle, and any pedals. Measure the edge if you plan to clamp a mount, leave room for USB cables, and keep a keyboard or gamepad nearby so you can recover if a new profile is incomplete.

Desk and platform

Clear a stable spot for the stick and throttle.

Measure desk thickness and underside clearance before clamping a mount.

Confirm whether the sim is running locally on PC or Xbox; cloud play may require a gamepad.

Keep the keyboard or gamepad available for menus and recovery.

Create the right profile

Use one profile per controller jobOpen MSFS 2024, go to Settings, then Controls, and select the HOTAS. Start from the General profile or duplicate it, rename the copy, and keep aircraft-category changes separate so a fix for one aircraft does not disturb another.

Profile setup

Open Settings → Controls and select the connected controller.

Duplicate or save the default profile before changing it.

Rename the copy with the controller and job, such as HOTAS General or HOTAS Airbus.

Use General, Aircraft Category, and Specific profiles for the scope you intend.

Microsoft’s Controller Settings FAQ documents the Controls screen, profile presets, conflict numbers, filters, and input search.

Bind the controls you use

Bind the flight loop before the extrasStart with pitch, roll, yaw, throttle, brakes, trim, landing gear, flaps, and a view command. Add autopilot or camera shortcuts only after the aircraft flies cleanly, and leave a command unbound when you cannot identify a useful physical control.

Essential binds

Pitch axis moves the nose through the full range.

Roll axis moves the wings through the full range.

Yaw uses twist, a rocker, or pedals, with one clear owner.

Throttle or power axis moves in the direction you expect.

Brakes, trim, gear, flaps, and a view command are reachable.

Check axes and conflicts

Watch the input, then remove the conflictUse Search by Input to confirm each axis, filter to Assigned or Essential commands, and inspect conflict numbers. Open Hardware settings for sensitivity and dead-zone changes. If a control moves backward, correct the axis direction before your first takeoff.

Input check

Move each axis slowly and confirm the on-screen input follows it.

Search by Input and resolve duplicate assignments that change the same command.

Open Hardware settings and change sensitivity or dead zone only when the axis needs it.

On the T.Flight Hotas One MSFS Edition for Xbox, check the default pitch and throttle inversion against the manufacturer mapping guide.

Save a backup and test

Test on the ground before adding more bindsSave the profile, export a backup, and test taxi, brakes, trim, throttle direction, rudder, camera, gear, and flaps on the runway. Add aircraft-specific commands after the general profile works, then export again when the changes are stable.

First flight

Save the profile after the last binding change.

Export a backup outside the simulator install folder. Import requires the same controller and profile category.

On the runway, test neutral axes, throttle, rudder, brakes, trim, gear, flaps, and camera.

Add aircraft-specific bindings only after the general profile works.

Need hardware first? Use the first HOTAS guide for the buying decision, or check the Xbox compatibility matrix before ordering.

MSFS HOTAS setup checklist for PC and Xbox

Before you connect

Create the right profile

Bind the controls you use

Check axes and conflicts

Save a backup and test