At the end of this you should be able to SLEW the TDC (mapped to arropws - up, down, left, right) using the ministick on the X52 HOTAS (throttle side) and the little ministick button is also usable (mapped to "=")

I had to get info from a few sites (some not listed) in order to sort this out but its been a game changer and I hope it works for you also. Thanks to all those who gave me bits of info. Just wanting to share what worked for me. Hope you have the same success.


Not private - share and amend the keybinds to suit your needs.



1 - Plug in your X52 and follow the #1 screenshot and access the Microsoft USD Game Controller program. Access the MFD tab and make sure "Enable Clutch Mode is UNCHECKED and "Latched Clutch Button" is CHECKED. (amend other USB controller tabs as you'd like at this time. (i.e. LED brightness, timezone, etc...)

2 - Download and install the X52 Logitech Software (I use Win 10) using the link below. Once installed save and upload the .pr0 file (DCS FA18c v4.3.pr0) to that program and load that profile. Once loaded the profile page should resemble screenshots 2 and 3. Showing the "PINKIE" profiles deleted and ministick as "Bands" and the "Up, Down, Left, Right" arrows assigned and the percentage (0-33% 33-67% 67-100%. (I found this worked best for me)
https://support.logi.com/hc/en-ca/articles/360024847013--Downloads-X52-Space-Flight-H-O-T-A-S-

3 - Save the X52 FA-18C.diff file into your DCS saved games folder (Saved Games/DCS/InputUserProfiles)

4 - Load DCS - Settings - Controls - select the X52 coloumn then "Load Profile". Choose the X52 FA-18C.diff file. As per screenshot 4, choose F/A 18C SIM - search "throttle designator" and Up, down, left, right for a "Throttle Designator Controller" should be mapped to those respective arrow keys. 

5 - Go into DCS setting - Special - FA18c - "Realistic TDC SLEW" should be UNCHECKED.

To Confirm - DCS "Throttle Designator Controller" and X52 "Ministick Bands" should be mapped to the same keys.

File contains - 

README txt File
USB Controller Screenshot
X52 Software Screenshots
DCS FA18C SIM TDC Screenshot showing keybinds
X52 FA18c .pr0 file
X52 PDF button layout x2 (FA18c and Blank)
DCS x52 FA-18C.diff.lua file
.txt of some sites I got info from
Screenshot of x52 clutch info from the X52 site

