Thrustmaster TCA Sidestick Airbus Edition

This article is about the 3rd-generation Airbus-themed joystick released in 2020. For the 2nd-generation orange-and-black joystick released in 2016, see Thrustmaster T.16000m FCS. For the 1st-generation black-and-green joystick released in 2009, see Thrustmaster T.16000m.

The Thrustmaster TCA Sidestick Airbus Edition is a joystick manufactured by Thrustmaster.

Specifications

Operating system compatibility

OS	Rating	Notes
Win 10
Win 8
Win 7
Win Vista		Driver Package 2020_TFHT_1 release notes do not indicate support, but the manual does.
Win XP		Driver Package 2020_TFHT_1 release notes do not indicate support, but the manual does.
Mac OS		Device is plug-and-play. Optional T.A.R.G.E.T software not available.
Linux		Device is plug-and-play. Optional T.A.R.G.E.T software not available.

Simulator compatibility

Sim	Rating	Notes
Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020)		Default mapping automatically applied
X-Plane 11
Digital Combat Simulator World
Prepar3D
Flight Sim World
X-Plane 10
Microsoft Flight Simulator X
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004

Connectivity

• Wired: Yes
  
• Cord: USB v2.0, hardwired to USB A, 1.9 m (6.2 ft)
  

Chassis

• Overall: 10.39 in L × 9.01 in W × 10.7 in H (26.4 cm L × 22.9 cm W × 27 cm H)
  
• Weight: 3 lb (1,400 g)
  
• Chassis material: Thermoplastic
  
• Base material: Thermoplastic
  
• Feet: 8 — Rubber
  
• Clamps: None
  
• Holes: 2 — layout PDF
  
• Compatible premade mounts:
  • Thrustmaster TM Flying Clamp
  • Monstertech Joystick Table Mount
  • MonsterTech Joystick / HOTAS Table Mount (long version)
  • MonsterTech Joystick / HOTAS Chair Mount
  • MonsterTech Center Joystick Chair Mount
  • MonsterTech Flight Stand
  • J-PEIN Desk Mount
  • T16000M FCS HOTAS Table Mount (DIY — Thingiverse)

Stick and Yolk

• Axes: 3 — X (aileron), Y (elevator), Z (rudder)
  
• Sensor type: Hall effect (X-/Y-axis), potentiometer (Z-axis)
  
• Stick twist: Yes (lockable)
  
• Stick material: Plastic
  
• Grip material: None
  

To convert the grip to right-handed (First Officer) configuration:

• Remove the two Phillips head screws in the side of the left button
• Remove both the left and right thumb buttons and replace with the included opposite-handed versions
• Replace and gently tighten the screws

To lock out the stick twist mechanism:

• Press down the button at the front of the palm rest

To unlock the stick twist mechanism:

• Press up on the button at the front of the palm rest from the underside

To mirror the button mapping of the 12 buttons on the base:

• Slide the dip switch located on the underside of the base

Levers, verniers, and sliders

• Levers: 0
  
• Verniers: 0
  
• Sliders: 1
  
• Thrust reversers: No
  
• Sensor type: Potentiometer
  

Inputs

• Buttons: 15
  
• Hats: 1 (8-way)
  
• Triggers: 2
  

Button #17 is virtual and signaled constantly while the slider is in the bottom 5-10% of its travel

Support

• Product page: www.thrustmaster.com/en_US/products/tca-sidestick-airbus-edition
  
• Support page: support.thrustmaster.com/en/product/tca-sidestick-airbus-edition-en/
  
• Manual: ts.thrustmaster.com/download/accessories/manuals/TCA_Sidestick/TCA_Sidestick_AE_User_Manual.pdf
  
• Mappings: FS2020
  
• Phone: US: +1 866-889-5036 (see support site for other countries)
  
• Facebook: ThrustmasterOfficial
  
• Twitter: @TMThrustmaster
  

Reviews

Written

• Articles:
  • FSElite
  • techradar
  • eTeknix
  • The Sixth Axis
  • Windows Central
  • Nerd Techy
  • Latest in Tech

Videos

• Thrustmaster TCA Officer Pack Review (Airbus Edition)
• Real Airbus Pilot First Impressions of Thrustmaster Airbus Sidestick and Throttle!
• An Airbus Captain NO BS Review - Thrustmaster TCA Officer Pack - Impressions
• Thrustmaster Airbus Sidestick REVIEW Is It ANY GOOD? - What's Wrong With the Thrustmaster Sidestick?
• Thrustmaster TCA Officer Pack Airbus Edition UNBOXING & FIRST Thoughts with Sim UK
• Thrustmaster T16000m VS TCA Sidestick - What's The Difference?
• Long-term Review- Thrustmaster TCA Officer Pack Airbus Edition
• Thrustmaster TCA Airbus Side Stick Review- Comparison to T16000M Side Stick
• Thrustmaster TCA Sidestick Airbus Edition Unboxing & Review inside X-plane 11

Third Party Mods

• Z-axis hall effect sensor upgrade: TheKlaxon via Youtube

Bundles

• Included in:
  • Thrustmaster TCA Officer Pack: 1× this joystick, 1× Thrustmaster TCA Quadrant Airbus Edition

Axis, switch, and button details

Axes

Axis	Type	Values
1	Stick left/right	0 (-) to 16383 (+)
2	Stick forward/aft	0 (-) to 16383 (+)
3	Stick rotation	0 (L) to 255 (R)
4	Slider forward/aft	0 (+) to 255 (-)

Hatswitches

Hatswitch	Direction	Button
1	Up	1
	Up/left	2
	Left	3
	Down/left	4
	Down	5
	Down/right	6
	Right	7
	Right/up	8

Buttons

Button	Type	Values
1	Trigger (momentary)	0 or 1
2	Trigger (momentary)	0 or 1
3	Button (momentary)	0 or 1
4	Button (momentary)	0 or 1
5	Button (momentary)	0 or 1
6	Button (momentary)	0 or 1
7	Button (momentary)	0 or 1
8	Button (momentary)	0 or 1
9	Button (momentary)	0 or 1
10	Button (momentary)	0 or 1
11	Button (momentary)	0 or 1
12	Button (momentary)	0 or 1
13	Button (momentary)	0 or 1
14	Button (momentary)	0 or 1
15	Button (momentary)	0 or 1
16	Button (momentary)	0 or 1
17	Button (virtual)	0 or 1

Default Assignments

Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020)

Axes

Axis	In-sim description	Assignment
1	Joystick L-Axis X	Ailerons Axis
2	Joystick L-Axis Y	Elevator Axis
3	Joystick R-Axis Z	Rudder Axis
4	Joystick Slider X	Throttle

Hatswitches

Hat	Dir	In-sim description	Assignment
1	🠩	Joystick Pov Up	Cockpit Camera: Next Pilot Position External Camera: External Quickview Top
	⬉	Joystick Pov Up_Left	not assigned
	🠨	Joystick Pov Left	Cockpit Camera: Cockpit Quickview Left External Camera: External Quickview Right Instrument Views: Previous Instrument View
	⬋	Joystick Pov Down_Left	not assigned
	🠫	Joystick Pov Down	Cockpit Camera: Previous Pilot Position External Camera: External Quickview Rear
	⬊	Joystick Pov Down_Right	not assigned
	🠪	Joystick Pov Right	Cockpit Camera: Cockpit Quickview Right External Camera: External Quickview Left Intrument Views: Next Instrument View
	⬈	Joystick Pov Up_Right	not assigned

Buttons

Button	In-sim description	Assignment
1	Joystick Button 1	Toggle Smart Camera
2	Joystick Button 2	Reset Cockpit View
3	Joystick Button 3	Cockpit/External View Mode
4	Joystick Button 4	Toggle Autopilot Master
5	Joystick Button 5	Decrease Flaps
6	Joystick Button 6	Elevator Trim Down (Nose Down)
7	Joystick Button 7	Brakes
8	Joystick Button 8	Toggle Landing Gear
9	Joystick Button 9	Elevator Trim Up (Nose Up)
10	Joystick Button 10	Increase Flaps
11	Joystick Button 11	not assigned
12	Joystick Button 12	not assigned
13	Joystick Button 13	Toggle Spoilers
14	Joystick Button 14	Toggle Parking Brakes
15	Joystick Button 15	not assigned
16	Joystick Button 16	not assigned
17	Joystick Button 17	Hold Throttle Reverse Thrust