First of all, I know this is MY problem and not a fault with PMDG or Saitek but still...  Using Saitek pro yoke and Saitek throttle.  Registered version of FSUIPC.  Everything works just fine except I can't get the reverse thrusters to activate!  In the FSX control settings, since there is no item for "reverse thrust" I have been using "decrease throttle quickly" or something like that.  No joy.  Then I programmed one of my Saitek throttle buttons to activate the same "decrease throttle quickly" item.  Still no joy.  I don't want to program through FSUIPC because that has caused trouble in the past.  Getting along great programming through FSX.

 

Have searched through forum and, although there are several posts about reverse thrust, they are either difficult to understand or unnecessarily complicated.  Anyone have any suggestions for me?  Would certainly appreciate it.  BTW, 63 years old, private pilot, been simming since the square cloud days.

 

Thanks,

 

Jeff Even

Rocklin, CA
 

My usual SOP for PMDG 737 is slightly different to other aircraft.

 

At 10ft in the flare, the hardware throttle is shut fully. After I have dealt with the flare I am pressing the F1 button on the keyboard, then after nosewheel touchdown, the F2 button is pressed.

 

If I don't get the F1 button first, I find reversers do not deploy with F2. Only seems to happen on the NGX, and I suspect it has something to do with the Approach idle thrust feature of the NGX which bumps up the N1% idle when the gear is down on approach. Pressing F1 brings the idle back to "real idle" (what FSX sees as idle) and without that happening, F2 isn't running into the reverse range.

 

Basically:

 

1. Disconnect autothrust and use manual thrust when the autopilot comes off.
2. At 30 ft start pulling your hardware throttle back toward idle
3. At 10ft ensure hardware throttle is totally idle/shutoff/in null zone
4. Press F1 and hold it down after the mains touch down
5. After you land the nosewheel, Release F1 and then press F2 and hold it down.
6. Hold F2 down till the reversers are activated

On an Autoland

1. Push your hardware throttle to fully closed/totally idle/in null zone with Glideslope Capture
2. Ensure Autothrottle/Autopilot/Land 3 is in
3. At 30ft ensure Flare/Retard mode is active
4. At touchdown press and hold F1
5. At nosewheel touchdown, release F1 and press and hold F2
6. Hold F2 down till the refersers are activated.

I find if I don't hold the F1 button first (force Idle thrust position keyboard button) then the F2 (decrease thrust) doesn't get into the Reverse range.

Jeff, make sure that the slider is fully right and click 'Okay' before closing. ;-)

I have the Saitek yoke and throttle and have calibrated all through FSUIPC with absolutely no problems.  Here is how I set up my reversers.

 

Buttons and Switches

 

I use FSUIPC Custom Offsets - first line on selection menu.

 

Custome Offsets - enter #70312 or 70313 depending on engine #

Control sent when button pressed - 70312 (70313 is for engine #2)

Parameter - 20000000

Check box - Control to repeat while held

Control sent when button released - Throttle 1 Cut (Throttle 2 Cut for engine # 2)

Parameter - 0

 

This gives me full Reverse Thrust when I pull throttle lever into switch position no matter what the engine % is.  When I push the throttle lever forward, reverse thrust stops and goes to idle.

 

Calibrating throttle axis in FSUIPC is very easy and works great so I suggest you give it a try.  Remember to delete the controls in FSX. 

 

Check the box under AXIS Assignment for Specific Profile

Type of action required - Select Throttle 1 or 2

Check - Send direct to FSUIPC Calibration

Open and close throttle.

You should see the numbers change from -16384(when closed) In and Out to 16383 when fully open

 

Go to Joystick Calibration and select Seperate throttle per engine

Cycle throttle lever.

DO NOT CLICK ON SET.

 

Rob

 

Make sure Axis not processed and also check Exclude THROTTLEn_SET if you set and calibrate throttles in FSUIPC.

 

Works like a charm.

 

Rob

Hopskip's scenario worked fine but I'll try the FSUIPC also to see which one is better.  Thanks for the help, guys.

 

Jeff

I just use the FSUIPC button/switches assignment and then "repeating " F2 button and action F1 when the button is released. Works fine

 

Michael Moe

Hi jeffeven

Mounty is the only one giving the correct answer here.  I am setup the same way and never a problem.  Try it it works fine all the time...John

Ok, but I don't like having full reverse, it is not realistic. In real life the reverser is activated until the detent, that, if I remember correctly, is about 50% N1.

Thank you guys for this post! I'm breathing again..

I swithced to PMDG from another 737 sim and my Saitek Yoke and Throttle settings are all gone.

The Yoke rotatation angle is also very small.

 

Can you please say if I need to reinstall FSUIPC?

Or "re-program" the throttle and other buttons with the current installation (unregistered b.t.w). 

Should I register it now that I'm using PMDG?

I used FSX settings, but i read above that I need to delete it before using fsuipc?

 

Many thanks for any help.. I'm hoping to get everything ready before pfpx is out so I can try it :-)

 

Lee.

I just use the FSUIPC button/switches assignment and then "repeating " F2 button and action F1 when the button is released. Works fine

 

Michael Moe

 

That works like a charm.

That works like a charm.

 

For me as well. 

jgoggi,

 

You don't get 100% when you set up the reversers the way I described.  When I mentioned full reverse thrust I was meaning 50%.  Reverse Thrust goes to a maximum of 50% which is realistic.

 

Rob

FSUIPC might be the most elegant way, but I have no problems using the FSX controller settings with my X52 either:

 

Settings -> Keys -> Controller type Saitek X52,

category engines, event: Thrust (drop fast) as you did, iirc.

Then in column Joystick I use the Button on the thrust lever of it - in may case for my thumb button 7;

in column REPEAT the slider all the way TO THE RIGHT, that this key command issued by the throttle stick is sent to FSX quickly.

 

On touchdown I have the throttle lever all the way back (over the detent) to idle - and then I HOLD my assigned thumb button (7).

To get the lever back to idle in the NGX I push the the Saitek throttle forward a little bit and back on idle.

No problems.

Then again the FSUIPC method, with the possibility to 'use' the detend and have a 'real' reverse position is stylish.

 

sry my bad english..