Airbus X Extended Throttle and Rudder control using the Keyboard
Why?
If you want to use the keyboard to control the FADEC instead of a Joystick controller (maybe you’re a Gamepad user like myself), or want to map a Joystick or Gamepad button to control throttle or rudder, the only reliable way is to use it through FSUIPC. I have created two small scripts in Lua, which should help you achieve this.
How does it work? (for a more detailed description, please read the enclosed PDF file.)
The script detects when both your engines (the FADEC in this case) are in idle, and lets you move the throttle control several notches forward, in order to give you control when taxiing or when needed in other stages of flight.
When getting close to the CLB setting, the script will clamp the mode automatically, doing so for the next modes, FLX/MCT and TOGA, with just a single key press of whatever key you selected during the configuration process (see below) for moving forward the throttle control.
The same applies when moving back the throttle control. Pressing the key you selected during the configuration in FSUIPC (again, see below) for moving back the throttle controls, it will move from TOGA to MCT, then to CLB and then back several notches until finally back in idle. If you want to reverse the engines, your throttle controls must be in idle position, and then pressing the key again will give you a few notches of reverse thrust until intercepting full reverse thrust. Pressing the key to move the throttle control forward will disengage reverse thrust and set both engines/FADEC to idle.
You can also configure a key for setting TOGA, and another one for moving directly to idle.
In addition, a separate script is included for controlling the Rudder with the keyboard.
The scripts contains 3 different parameters, one for commanding rudder left, one for commanding rudder right, and a command for centering the rudder.
As with the FADEC version of the script, you can program any unused key to each of these 3 commands, including free Gamepad or Joystick buttons (they must not be mapped in both FSX and FSUIPC).
1) You must place the files Keyboard_FADEC.lua Keyboard_RUDDER.lua in the Modules folder inside your base FSX installation (that is where the FSUIPC module resides, by the way).
For example: C:FSXModules
2)Launch Flight Simulator X and go to your FSUIPC menu and for configuration. Then please follow the instructions included in the INSTRUCTIONS.pdf included in this zip file.
If for any reason you happen to hit trouble, let me know using either Avsim/Aerosoft forums or via e-mail. Needless to say, feedback is welcome
To do:
Asymmetric control: I plan to make this script work with both engines individually. At the moment, it will control both throttle controls.
Thanks to:
Pete Dowson and Guenter Steiner