Configuring the input

Configuring the input

Switches and buttons are typically mapped to simulator variables that expect either 0 (for off) or 1 (for on). The following steps demonstrate how to configure a two-position switch to control the parking brake in a Cessna 172 in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 and Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024.

Tip

The steps for using a switch or button with X-Plane are similar. Use the X-Plane DataRef type when configuring the Sim Variable tab.

Create a new row in the inputs tab of the main window

Double-click on the bottom row where the description says Double-click row to add new config… and enter a description for the input. For example, enter Parking brake for a switch that will control the parking brake.

Screenshot of the input tab in the main window with the bottom row highlighted in red.

Open the input configuration dialog

Click the button with three dots in the Edit column for the row created in the previous step.

Screenshot of the input tab in the main window with the edit button highlighted in red.

Select the board and device for the input

On the Input tab, use the Module and Device dropdowns to select your connected board and switch.

Alternatively, press the Scan for input button and toggle the connected switch to automatically detect and select the correct switch.

Screenshot of the input configuration dialog with a board and switch selected.

Set the On Press action type and filter the presets list

On the Input tab, select the On Press input setting tab. Use the Action Type dropdown to select Microsoft Flight Simulator. Then use the Filter Preset List dropdowns to filter by Microsoft, Generic, and Controls.

Screenshot of the on press filter preset list filtered by Microsoft / Generic / Controls.

Select the parking brake on preset

Use the Select Preset dropdown to select the PARKING_BRAKES_ON preset.

Screenshot of the input tab on press event with the PARKING_BRAKES_ON preset selected.

Configure the On Release action

Repeat steps 4 and 5 for the On Release tab, selecting PARKING_BRAKES_OFF for the preset.

Screenshot of the input tab on release event with the PARKING_BRAKES_OFF preset selected.

Close the dialog and try it out

Click the OK button to close the dialog, then spawn an airplane in Microsoft Flight Simulator.

Make sure the MobiFlight Run button is clicked in the toolbar, then try toggling the parking brake with the switch. The parking brake in the simulator should toggle.

Tip

Even though these steps are for a Cessna 172, the same parking brake input events should work for most planes in Microsoft Flight Simulator.