The throttle hates me

[Demetrious]

Hello all. I'm your atypical newb with an atypical newbish question, and the FAQ's and Google have left me with no answers. I put this here instead of the technical support forum because it's more an in-game configuration conflict (I think,) then a hardware-software clash.

The throttle does not respond to the corresponding control keys. At all. I have a joystick with a throttle wheel, but the wheel is not configured in the control setup, and doesn't effect the throttle anyways, so I know that's not doing it.

Pressing the minus and equals keys do nothing to effect the throttle. The key combos for maximum-minimum throttle likewise have no effect. (Yes, I do have auto-takeoff turned on. Full throttle persists long after I'm in the air and have gear up.) The throttle is just locked in at 100% power, as far as I can tell. No matter what I do, that RPM gauge stays steady. (In the P-40 the RPM never changes, even when I turn the engine OFF- the mainfold pressure gauge does respond, however.) I've been reduced to tapping the engine on and off blip switch style, like I'm in a Sopwith or something. Ugh. I've even mapped throttle control to different keyboard keys, with no effect. It's like it's locked in somehow.

It's frustrating as all get-out, because I really want to put some aircraft through their paces, and test some things out, which is rather impossible without throttle control. Not to mention the implications if I want to attempt a high-speed yo-yo (or more importantly, respond to one,) etc.

So, any ideas on what's causing this?

If this is in the wrong forum, I apologize now.

[DamnedRen]

Judging from your post you are a mouse user and have not acquired a joystick yet. Try this....

Go here...  http://trainers.hitechcreations.com/

Look on left column under game setup to setup controllers or mouse and click on the white lettered word "MOUSE".

That should help you get your mouse/wheel configured so you can dodge those yoyo's!

Hope this helps.

[trotter]

Originally posted by Demetrious
I've been reduced to tapping the engine on and off blip switch style, like I'm in a Sopwith or something. Ugh.

lol



Ren, I think he does mention that he has a joystick.

I can't offer any reliable technical advice, but as for RPM demetrious, those are controlled by the plus and minus keys next to your keypad. Those should work regardless of your ability to change manifold throttle setting.

As for the rest, good luck. Someone will have much better answers to the technical stuff than me.

[Murdr]

If you only have a single throttle axis, it must be mapped to "Analog inputs - throttle 1".  Mapping it to any of the other throttle options will produce the symtopms you have described.

[The Fugitive]

What I can't figure out is why you wouldn't want to use your throttle wheel on your stick?
To me, it would be easier to get to quick....rather than looking for keys in the heat of battle, response would be quicker, and control would be finer, all good things.

You got it, why not use it?

[Demetrious]

Originally posted by Murdr
If you only have a single throttle axis, it must be mapped to "Analog inputs - throttle 1".  Mapping it to any of the other throttle options will produce the symtopms you have described.

Ack, then it IS the stick. Thank you. I had originally discounted the throttle wheel because it isn't even mapped yet, but apparently the game has detected it's presence anyways and disabled my normal throttle controls.

What I can't figure out is why you wouldn't want to use your throttle wheel on your stick?
To me, it would be easier to get to quick....rather than looking for keys in the heat of battle, response would be quicker, and control would be finer, all good things.

You got it, why not use it?

I DO want to use it, indeed, and for all the reasons you mentioned. (I picked this stick partially because it had a throttle wheel.) I just didn't bother mapping it to functions because I figured I'd have the same locked-in throttle problems as I did anyways.

[Demetrious]

Apologies for the double post, but the edit doesn't seem to be working for some bizarre reason. o_o

I went to map the throttle wheel (the "slider" in the dialoge) to throttle, and I found the most insane thing ever- there's entries for "throttle" and entries for "RPM!!!!" The slider was auto-mapped to throttle. Mapping it to RPM instead still did not make the throttle wheel work, but it freed up the throttle keys, and now the keyboard keys for throttle at least work.

So, my question is: what on EARTH is the difference between throttle and RPM?

Also, I have noticed that the RPM gauge never, ever changes. Ever. Even when I raise and lower the throttle. What on earth is going on? Does that gauge even work or is it just for decoration?

[Murdr]

RPM is your prop speed.  When you adjust your RPM setting, a mechanical governor will feather your props to maintain that RPM setting.  Default keys for RPM are NumPad + & - (keys won't work if you have RPM mapped to a controller axis).

I would go to the game control mapper, and then move your throttle wheel around.  The axis that reponds (numbers in parenthesis), should be mapped to "throttle 1".  Any other axis assignments that are maped to throttle or RPM, I would unmap.  Then everything should work properly.

[Demetrious]

Thanks, Murdr. That cleared my issues right up. The throttle now responds properly.