Controllers and peripherals

A guide for Microsoft Flight Simulator

If you’re completely new to flight simulation, particularly with Microsoft Flight Simulator (MFS), it’s easy to become swamped with the complexity of the interface. So where do you start? Well, it seems that most of us look first to the excellent included tutorials, where you can at least learn the fundamentals of flying and how to operate the controls of the aircraft.

Flying the Cessna with the lightest touch on the controls.
Flying the Cessna with the lightest touch on the controls.

However, before attempting any flying, you should first calibrate your controller within Windows itself. This is quite straightforward to do, using the Windows 10 search bar in the left corner of the screen. If you type ‘joy. cpl’ and press ‘return’, it will open the Game Controllers dialogue box where you will see any installed controllers listed. In my case, you’ll see I have two items: a Thrustmaster T.16000M and an XBOX 360 controller.

Become a Premium Member to Read More

This is a premium article and requires an active Key.Aero subscription to view.

I’m an existing member, sign me in!

I don’t have a subscription…

Enjoy the following subscriber only benefits:

  • Unlimited access to all KeyAero content
  • Exclusive in-depth articles and analysis, videos, quizzes added daily
  • A fully searchable archive – boasting hundreds of thousands of pieces of quality aviation content
  • Access to read all our leading aviation magazines online - meaning you can enjoy the likes of FlyPast, Aeroplane Monthly, AirForces Monthly, Combat Aircraft, Aviation News, Airports of the World, PC Pilot and Airliner World - as soon as they leave the editor’s desk.
  • Access on any device- anywhere, anytime
  • Choose from our offers below