DCS Thrustmaster 3 Position Switch

[Quantum State]

Anyone know if this is possible ?

I'm flying the Gazelle and want to use the Autopilot Path swich on the throttle to replicate the Gazelles 3 position Autopilot mode switch.

The switch is :

Middle position <off>
Upper position <alt hold>
Lower position <speed hold>

The problem I'm having is in the control mapping there is only an option for Mode up and Mode down with no neutral position.

So I flip the switch up OK but when I pull it back to the neutral position it just stays put until I pull it down to the last position it then moves to the middle position....

If that makes any sense ?

I didn't realise straying away from my A10 would be so complicated

[WH16]

Quantum State said:

Anyone know if this is possible ?

I'm flying the Gazelle and want to use the Autopilot Path swich on the throttle to replicate the Gazelles 3 position Autopilot mode switch.

The switch is :

Middle position <off>
Upper position <alt hold>
Lower position <speed hold>

The problem I'm having is in the control mapping there is only an option for Mode up and Mode down with no neutral position.

So I flip the switch up OK but when I pull it back to the neutral position it just stays put until I pull it down to the last position it then moves to the middle position....

If that makes any sense ?

I didn't realise straying away from my A10 would be so complicated

There is an option in the control configuration for an [OFF] function for each input, so say on your controller input 31 [ON] is <Alt Hold>, you could then set 31 [OFF] as <off>, and input 32 [ON] as <Speed Hold>, with 32 [OFF] as <off>

That way it will default to <off> if neither input 31 or 32 are [ON]

It is also possible to do all kinds of magical things with TMs own config software, but honestly in years of DCS use I've never really felt the urge to dive down that particular rabbit hole.

In some modules there are 'ON-OFF-ON' configurations in the special-for-joystick list, but I can't remember off the top of my head if the one you want is available on the Gazelle.

Anyway, the Gazelle is one of my favourites, have fun flying it. I have to say though that in hundreds of hours I have never used the autopilot, so the switch configuration may not be that important...

---

Hang on, I've just re-read your post, and there is no option for <off>, only toggle up and down on the 3 position scale... in that case 31 [ON] would be up, 31 [OFF] would be down, 32 [ON] would be down, and 32 [OFF] would be up

Or it might be better to use ON-ON (as up/down) switch if you have one available?

Edited by WH16 on Friday 23 January 13:27

[Quantum State]

WH16 said:

Quantum State said:

Anyone know if this is possible ?

I'm flying the Gazelle and want to use the Autopilot Path swich on the throttle to replicate the Gazelles 3 position Autopilot mode switch.

The switch is :

Middle position <off>
Upper position <alt hold>
Lower position <speed hold>

The problem I'm having is in the control mapping there is only an option for Mode up and Mode down with no neutral position.

So I flip the switch up OK but when I pull it back to the neutral position it just stays put until I pull it down to the last position it then moves to the middle position....

If that makes any sense ?

I didn't realise straying away from my A10 would be so complicated

There is an option in the control configuration for an [OFF] function for each input, so say on your controller input 31 [ON] is <Alt Hold>, you could then set 31 [OFF] as <off>, and input 32 [ON] as <Speed Hold>, with 32 [OFF] as <off>

That way it will default to <off> if neither input 31 or 32 are [ON]

It is also possible to do all kinds of magical things with TMs own config software, but honestly in years of DCS use I've never really felt the urge to dive down that particular rabbit hole.

In some modules there are 'ON-OFF-ON' configurations in the special-for-joystick list, but I can't remember off the top of my head if the one you want is available on the Gazelle.

Anyway, the Gazelle is one of my favourites, have fun flying it. I have to say though that in hundreds of hours I have never used the autopilot, so the switch configuration may not be that important...

---

Hang on, I've just re-read your post, and there is no option for <off>, only toggle up and down on the 3 position scale... in that case 31 [ON] would be up, 31 [OFF] would be down, 32 [ON] would be down, and 32 [OFF] would be up

Or it might be better to use ON-ON (as up/down) switch if you have one available?

Edited by WH16 on Friday 23 January 13:27

Thanks for that I'll have a look in a bit interesting about the AP I envisaged using it in conjunction with Auto hover to perform pop up attacks am I barking up the wrong tree ? Thinking back to my Janes Longbow days

Mind you getting it up and back down still needs practice !!

[WH16]

Quantum State said:

Thanks for that I'll have a look in a bit interesting about the AP I envisaged using it in conjunction with Auto hover to perform pop up attacks am I barking up the wrong tree ? Thinking back to my Janes Longbow days

Mind you getting it up and back down still needs practice !!

I have a dedicated collective and extended cyclic, so I can manage to hold a hover manually easily enough and employ the HOT3s aimed with a hat on the collective. That or running attacks. As I said I've never used the autopilot on the Gazelle, but I know others have.

It is quite a twitchy little helo, but IMHO it is the best in DCS and once used to it the agility is really an asset. I also like the Hip, but that is a totally different experience.

[Quantum State]

WH16 said:

Quantum State said:

Thanks for that I'll have a look in a bit interesting about the AP I envisaged using it in conjunction with Auto hover to perform pop up attacks am I barking up the wrong tree ? Thinking back to my Janes Longbow days

Mind you getting it up and back down still needs practice !!

I have a dedicated collective and extended cyclic, so I can manage to hold a hover manually easily enough and employ the HOT3s aimed with a hat on the collective. That or running attacks. As I said I've never used the autopilot on the Gazelle, but I know others have.

It is quite a twitchy little helo, but IMHO it is the best in DCS and once used to it the agility is really an asset. I also like the Hip, but that is a totally different experience.

Yeah I think I need to master the basics first like not cutting the grass on every landing !

I did try it in VR but it took me most of the day to recover I think I'll stick to Beat Sabre ...

[WH16]

Quantum State said:

Yeah I think I need to master the basics first like not cutting the grass on every landing !

I did try it in VR but it took me most of the day to recover I think I'll stick to Beat Sabre ...

I would say stick with the VR. The depth perception really makes a difference with flight sims, and doubly so with helicopters. Just use regular short-duration sessions to get your VR-legs, and try not to fly too erratically - easier said than done however when new to the platform.

I'm not sure if you are aware DCS has a decent, fairly active forum - https://forum.dcs.world/

[Quantum State]

WH16 said:

Quantum State said:

Yeah I think I need to master the basics first like not cutting the grass on every landing !

I did try it in VR but it took me most of the day to recover I think I'll stick to Beat Sabre ...

I would say stick with the VR. The depth perception really makes a difference with flight sims, and doubly so with helicopters. Just use regular short-duration sessions to get your VR-legs, and try not to fly too erratically - easier said than done however when new to the platform.

I'm not sure if you are aware DCS has a decent, fairly active forum - https://forum.dcs.world/

Cheers been flying ED stuff right from day one - Flanker. I am a member of that forum but only posted a couple of times I suppose it would make more sense to post there !

I mainly fly the A10 but am guilty of buying modules that I fully intend to use at some point .... A bit like my Steam buying habit ....

Have over 20 modules and a few maps including the AH-64 and Hokum. I've been retired nearly a year now so no excuse really

[WH16]

Quantum State said:

Cheers been flying ED stuff right from day one - Flanker. I am a member of that forum but only posted a couple of times I suppose it would make more sense to post there !

I mainly fly the A10 but am guilty of buying modules that I fully intend to use at some point .... A bit like my Steam buying habit ....

Have over 20 modules and a few maps including the AH-64 and Hokum. I've been retired nearly a year now so no excuse really

I'm the same. I buy pretty much everything they produce, most of which gathers virtual dust. The Gazelle and Viper are my go-to aircraft though, at least until the Tornado is released, which is still some way off.

I spent a bit of time in helicopters over the years, mostly the back of Pumas, Chinooks and even the occasional GAF Huey, but my favourite was a front seat trip in a Gazelle. I've loved it ever since.

[Quantum State]

WH16 said:

Quantum State said:

Cheers been flying ED stuff right from day one - Flanker. I am a member of that forum but only posted a couple of times I suppose it would make more sense to post there !

I mainly fly the A10 but am guilty of buying modules that I fully intend to use at some point .... A bit like my Steam buying habit ....

Have over 20 modules and a few maps including the AH-64 and Hokum. I've been retired nearly a year now so no excuse really

I'm the same. I buy pretty much everything they produce, most of which gathers virtual dust. The Gazelle and Viper are my go-to aircraft though, at least until the Tornado is released, which is still some way off.

I spent a bit of time in helicopters over the years, mostly the back of Pumas, Chinooks and even the occasional GAF Huey, but my favourite was a front seat trip in a Gazelle. I've loved it ever since.

Fantastic ! I was once blown off my fishing basket by a Puma at our caravan site in Lincolnshire when I was about 12. Heard it getting closer and closer then just appeared from behind the hedge and went past at walking speed at about 30ft. The side door was open and a guy was waving and laughing at me !

When I was about 9 had a diecast Gazelle made by a company called Majorette with folding rotor blades love that funny how things imprint when you are a kid.