PMDG 737: A/T and manual control
The hardware follows the cockpit levers when A/T changes thrust. You can also move the hardware to control the aircraft, without selecting a separate manual-input mode.
The demonstration shows how hand pressure interacts with A/T. You can rest your hand on the throttles and feel them move. Firmer input overrides the motor following, but does not disconnect A/T. While A/T remains engaged, it can command the levers back again.
For the behaviour shown in the video, the PMDG FMC setting for A/T manual override is set to Always.
Press the A/T disconnect button to take over manually. Because the levers have been following the cockpit, they are already at the current position when you disconnect.
Reverse
Forward idle sits above the bottom of the hardware’s travel. Each throttle has its own reverse unlock. Activate it and pull that lever below idle to control reverse thrust.
Once in reverse, you can release the unlock. Returning to forward idle closes the gate, so entering reverse again requires another unlock.
The gate is produced by motor resistance. It is not a rigid mechanical stop, and force can push the physical lever through it. The software also gates the reverse command.
Speed brake
On the PMDG 737, the lever has an ARM detent and follows the cockpit handle. The landing demonstration shows it moving with the aircraft’s automatic deployment at touchdown.
There is a visible detail when returning from an extended position to ARM: the cockpit handle first moves to DOWN, then ARM. This is a workaround for the arming issue encountered with direct axis input. Moving from DOWN to ARM does not need that extra sequence.
The mapping changes for other aircraft. On the FSLabs A321, ARM is at the forward endpoint of the hardware travel, with RET at about 20%. Moving forward from RET arms it. The physical handle does not lift upward like the Airbus handle.
Trim wheel and display
Turning the wheel by hand changes trim in the sim. Changes from the yoke’s trim switch, mouse, or automatic trim move the hardware wheel.
The display reads simulator trim. The 737, Hawker, and A321 have different faces; the A321 face also shows both throttle positions and speed brake position.
During the A321 flight in the demonstration, the wheel moves frequently as the aircraft is manoeuvred. Having it on the desk makes automatic trim movement easier to notice while looking at the forward view. There is some following delay, visible in the demonstration.
Trim support varies by profile. It is currently disabled for the PMDG 777, Asobo/Working Title 787-10, and Hot Start Challenger 650.
FSLabs A321: throttle detents
The motors provide full reverse, idle reverse, IDLE, CL, FLX/MCT, and TOGA detents. You can feel the lever settle into each position.
The levers stay at the selected position while autothrust varies engine thrust. The reverse unlock still controls access to the reverse range.
FlightFX Hawker 800XP: lift dump
With FULL flaps unselected, the speed brake resists movement beyond OPEN. Selecting FULL releases the additional travel for lift dump. Moving the flap selector out of FULL restores the restriction.
That gives the physical lever a restriction corresponding to the aircraft’s flap selection. The aircraft continues to apply its own operating conditions.
A2A Comanche 250: throttle, propeller, mixture
The profile reassigns the three levers:
| Hardware control | Comanche control |
|---|---|
| Left throttle | Throttle |
| Right throttle | Propeller |
| Speed brake lever | Mixture |
The trim wheel remains active. You use the same hardware and grips with a different mapping.
Setup and compatibility
The companion app provides supported aircraft profiles, including mappings, detents, and display selection. Some add-ons need their own configuration:
- PMDG 737: enable the required aircraft data access and set A/T manual override to Always for the hand interaction shown above.
- FSLabs A321: use the aircraft’s detent calibration with its ThrottleSync profile.
- FlightFX Hawker 800XP: enable Reverse On Axis in the EFB and apply the profile’s reverse, idle, and forward calibration.
Check aircraft compatibility for your exact add-on and the features available. Use Pre-order & FAQ for current ordering and mounting information. For setup questions, email info@throttlesync.nl.