Quick question - is this possible with FSUIPC

[rfoshaug]

Hello,

I have the registered version of FSUIPC 4, and I've ordered two Saitek Pro Flight Throttle Quadrants.

These throttles are made in such a way, that when you move them all the way back in reverse, they send a "button depressed" signal. Of course, each throttle's reverse could be mapped to "engine X reduce throttle", but I was thinking of a more advanced way of doing it, in order to be able to control the exact amount of reverse thrust on the engines I want for each landing.

Here is the scenario I'd like to do in a 4 engined jet:

- I have 4 throttle levers (one for each engine), and a separate lever for controlling reverse for all engines together

- BUT - only those throttle levers whose "reverse button" is depressed shall actually go into reverse, the others shall remain at idle (0% throttle)

So if I land and wish to reverse only engines 2 and 3, I move the 2nd and 3rd throttles down into the reverse range (ie. reverser button depressed), and then move the separate reverser handle back to increase the amount of reverse. Engine 1 and 4 would then remain at idle. When done reversing, I move the separate reverser handle forward, and the engines go back into reverse idle and spooling down. When they are done spooling down, I move the 2nd and 3rd throttle back up into the normal idle (ie. reverser button released).

So in short, the thrust reverser axis shall reverse the thrust on only those engines where a corresponding joystick button (one for each engine) is set.

I'm thinking something along the lines of setting the reverser handle to control Reverser 1, Reverser 2, Reverser 3, and Reverser 4, and then in page 11 - "Separate reversers" under Joystick calibration, set some kind of requirement that reverser 1 only engages if button 8 is pressed, otherwise it only returns reverser value 0 regardless of the handle. Reverser 2 only engages if button 9 is pressed and so on.

Is this possible with FSUIPC? And where should I begin looking? I have no idea what to search the forums or the documentation for. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Edited August 23, 2012 by rfoshaug

[Pete Dowson]

I'm thinking something along the lines of setting the reverser handle to control Reverser 1, Reverser 2, Reverser 3, and Reverser 4, and then in page 11 - "Separate reversers" under Joystick calibration, set some kind of requirement that reverser 1 only engages if button 8 is pressed, otherwise it only returns reverser value 0 regardless of the handle. Reverser 2 only engages if button 9 is pressed and so on.

No need for any of that. If you assign to FSUIPC's reversers they don't engage if the throttle is set to anything higher than 0 (or a value set in a parameter. This section explains it in the Advanced User's guide:

The Reverser control is special to FSUIPC4 and can be assigned and calibrated in the same way. Additionally there’s another controlling parameter:

MaxThrottleForReverser=0

This controls the interlock—the reverser will not engage until all throttles are reduced to this setting (normally 0, or idle). You can try a non-zero value here if you cannot calibrate your throttles to produce a stable

idle zero.

Regards

Pete