MSFS Utility to keep your HandOnMouse for easier/better flying

MSFS virtual cockpits are wonderfully immersive but can become challenging when flying requires to actuate critical knobs and levers quickly.

• Takeoffs may require to quickly retract gear and/or flaps before critical speeds are reached.
• Landings may require to adjust flaps (or even gliders' spoilers) and/or trim without delay.
• Touchdown on short runways may require prompt and precise use of reverse throttle.

Even with dedicated hardware such as quadrants, having to leave your mouse may badly delay other actions such as preparing the aircraft (lights, accessories), completing checklists, answering ATC, etc. I guess using VR mode makes all of these even more challenging.

The solution I use for quite some time now is this small utility that connects to MSFS to map critical actions to mouse moves combined with dedicated buttons pressed.

1. Download the "MSFS_HandOnMouse_v*.zip" file from the latest release
2. Extract all the archive to a folder of your choice such as the Desktop Minor version upgrades, e.g. v3.2 over v3.1, can be extracted in the existing MSFS_HandOnMouse folder to upgrade the application and keep your settings)

A few features require to install vJoy virtual joystick driver

1. Run the "MSFS_HandOnMouse" application in the "MSFS_HandOnMouse_v*" extracted folder, and optionally pin the application to the taskbar
2. Select predefined mappings, adjust if needed (see buttons)
3. If needed, adjust the mouse sensitivity (depends on mouse resolution and desired range, beware that sensitivity will be reduced in interactions with MSFS)
4. Connect automatically to MSFS (or manually if you prefer)
5. When connected to MSFS, check that you can change the chosen axis with the mouse

Hover the mouse over the text right between and buttons for detailed instructions.

Since many mouse are equipped with forward/backward buttons and these are not mapped by default to anything, the utility comes with "Generic *" mappings suited to various aircraft types using these buttons:

Mouse Button(s)	MSFS Control
Forward alone	Throttle (forward-backward mouse move) and Reverse Throttle (protected by use of orthogonal mouse move)
Backward alone	Flaps (forward-backward move) and Landing Gear (left-right move) OR using mapping files with trim: Elevator trim (forward-backward move) or Aileron trim (left-right move)
Forward+Backward	Propeller or Mixture or Spoilers (for jets and gliders)
Click to assign	Elevator trim (forward-backward move) or Aileron trim (left-right move)

NB: Controls with few positions such as flaps and gear are configured to wait for the buttons to be released before actually doing anything so you can revert an inadvertent move.

Otherwise, you can read on to use other buttons, control other Simulation Variables, etc.

Enjoy, and let me know what you think!

Arnaud

Each mapping file (selected with top button) defines a fixed set of axis and the only way to add an axis is to edit the file (see comments in To customize). However, starting with version 2, you can customize each axis option including its trigger, direction, and smart options without having to edit files. Indeed, the default mappings only use the mouse forward/backward buttons because they are not used by default but you can use the button in front of any axis to customize how it is mapped to your hardware.

For instance, if you only have a basic mouse without forward/backward buttons, you can map the axis to a key or a joystick button instead. On the contrary, if you have a gaming mouse with many buttons like the G602, you can map each axis of any bi-turboprop to distinct buttons (see Logitech G602).

NB: Triggers are limited to the 5 standard mouse buttons, all keyboard keys, and 32 joystick buttons.

Makes it a lot easier and faster to manually trim an aircraft:

• elevator/aileron trim sensitivity adapts to aircraft's IAS and Vc cruise speed to compensate higher aerodynamic forces for higher velocities
• elevator trim automatically opposes centering elevator inputs to compensate for the absence of Force-Feedback hardware (but this can be disabled)

When you have a spring-centered stick/yoke, you should try to trim with the mouse as this will save you precious time during approaches. Trimming is essential to a stabilized approach but it is difficult to simulate due to the variety of trimming implementations and the sparsity of Force-Feedback hardware. In MSFS it is more complex than it is in real life, at least in GA aircrafts and gliders. So, the utility implements a smarter way to manually trim your aircraft so you have time to perform all the other things to do during an approach.

It makes a lot of sense to assign a joystick button to this function, so, you have to customize it to your specific hardware to enable it. Click in front of the "elevator trim" axis then "Set trigger and mouse move" and follow the instructions:

1. Press the joystick button you want to use to trim
2. Move the mouse towards you (Draw)
3. Release the button

Save the customization, and repeat with the "aileron trim" axis using the same trigger but with a mouse move to the right

When you need to apply too much effort to maintain your stick/yoke in position:

1. Use the mouse to grab the trim control (press the chosen trigger)
2. Gently center back your stick/yoke (you can also move the mouse forward/backward to maintain a perfect attitude)
3. Release the trim control
4. If trimming is not perfect, you can adjust it with the mouse, or with stick/yoke (back to #1)

NB: The default smart trim sensitivity works well for most default aircrafts but not all, so, you may need to adjust it (use the axis button)

The throttle range automatically adapts to the loaded aircraft to enable reverse throttle when available.

When the runway is short, reverse throttle need to be used as soon as the aircraft touches the ground but not before! In real life, the reverse range is protected by detents. The utility simulates this by using the same button but a mouse move orthogonal to the direction chosen for forward throttle.

Just before the flare:

1. Make a large mouse move towards idle throttle
2. Wait to touch the ground
3. Move the mouse to the right to apply reverse

On a sloped runway you can quickly revert to forward throttle to make sure you reach the platform:

1. Move the mouse forward to get out of the reverse range and apply the necessary power

NB: Move the mouse backward/forward in the reverse throttle range in case you configured forward throttle in a left/right direction

When using "Generic * Jets*" mappings, a detent is also set at 90% position to allow for better control over the auto-throttle positions. This should be adjusted though to better suit the detents available in each jet.

Brake SimVars cannot be used for precise braking, so brakes are made available with a virtual joystick driver named vJoy. A single trigger can be used in a smart way to control both right & left brakes:

• backward mouse moves will brake on both sides
• a left or right leaning mouse move will apply more brakes on the corresponding side
• applied brakes will automatically return to neutral position when the corresponding trigger is released

Using any vJoy mapping requires to:

1. Download vJoy driver: https://sourceforge.net/projects/vjoystick/files/Beta%202.x/2.1.9.1-160719/vJoySetup.exe/download
2. Install it by running: vJoySetup.exe
3. Map vJoy axis displayed by HandOnMouse to desired MSFS functions

vJoy also allows to support planes not totally supporting SimVars like Aerosoft's CRJ, including some smart features (detents, autocentering)

1. Select vJoy for Aircrafts with no SimVars possibly editing it to remove axis or features you do not need (say, rudder, brakes)
2. Map MSFS controls to vJoy device as below:

(beware to select "reverse" for the appropriate axis)

To use reverse throttle with CRJ, you must use its tablet, access last "options" page and "calibrate throttle" to enable reverse range and set an Idle value close to the one below:

The Logitech G602 mouse can replace a full quadrant with this utility and much more!

1. Configure the following G Hub mappings
2. Select Logitech G602 mappings file in MSFS_HandOnMouse And you are good to go with almost any aircraft from gliders to jets!

Mouse Button(s)	MSFS Control
F16 & F/Suivant	Right & Left Throttle (forward-backward move) and Reverse Throttle (protected by use of orthogonal move)
F17 & B/Précédent	Right & Left Propeller (but you can use them to trigger Mixture with button)
F18	Right & Left Brakes (backward and right or left move))
F19	Spoilers (for jets and gliders)
F12 / F13	Toggle Landing Gear
F7	Flaps Down
F6	Flaps Up
Click to assign	Elevator trim (forward-backward move) or Aileron trim (left-right move)

• Minor scale color problem (with elevator trim, CRJ Throttle negative detent, etc.)
• Initialization problems when changing aircraft in developer mode
• Condition lever does not work for now See last known issues: https://github.com/arnaud-clere/MSFS_HandOnMouse/issues