A-10 HOTAS keyboard diagram & memorization

[apd1004]

Hi all,

 

If you're like me, you can't just run out and drop $500 on the Thrustmaster HOTAS system, and instead have to make due with some other joystick and the keyboard. Someday perhaps I will be able to invest in the Thrustmaster, but not yet. In the meantime I have to make due with what I have. I have no interest in getting a different joystick rig and I will use what I have until I can afford the Thrustmaster.

 

I use a Cyborg X joystick and the keyboard, but I still simulate having a HOTAS as much as possible. What I have attempted to do in my memorization technique is to try to get used to the actual HOTAS button functions rather than try to memorize keyboard commands themselves.

 

For example, I know that Coolie Hat up sets HUD as SOI. I have memorized that the Coolie Hat up = HUD as SOI, and that the "U" key = Coolie Hat up. This is different than just memorizing "U" key = HUD as SOI. It may sound like an unnecessary step that just complicates things, but once you get used to thinking about it this way, it starts to flow pretty good.

 

The main reason I do this is so when I can eventually afford the Thrustmaster HOTAS, it should be a fairly easy transition from keyboard to HOTAS because I already know what the HOTAS buttons do even though I don't have one. All I will really have to do is learn what each button/hat/switch is on the HOTAS. Not sure if it will really be that easy, but right now in my mind I am planning on it being easy.

 

What I have done to help me with my learning the HOTAS commands is to make my own keyboard layout diagram that only has the HOTAS commands on it and nothing else. The default HOTAS keyboard commands are actually laid out in a fairly logical manner in my opinion, and when you look at the diagram that has only the HOTAS commands on it, this becomes more obvious than a diagram that might have everything on it. Along with my keyboard diagram, I also use a modified version of an Excel spreadsheet I downloaded from this forum that lists the HOTAS controls in matrix format. My modification was to add columns for the keyboard commands and mods.

 

I also have a couple of 5" x 8" binders that I set side by side similar to a kneeboard and I use them to refer to. Both the matrix and the keyboard diagram can be printed in portrait and fit on one 8.5" x 11" sheet each. For my 5" x 8" binders, I just cut the 8.5" x 11" sheet in half and put the halves in 5" x 8" sheet protectors. I also have complete keyboard command lists, checklists, airport diagrams, etc. in my binders.

 

I have included both the layout diagram and the HOTAS command matrix in this post in PDF format. Hopefully somebody can find them as useful as I have.

 

Here is a link to a forum post where you can find the original keyboard matrix that I modified, and a couple other files that may be useful.

 

http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=58470&highlight=keyboard&page=11

 

Also attached is my raw Excel sheet that I modified.

 

Cheers

HOTAS Keyboard Layout.pdf

HOTAS Keyboard matrix.pdf

HOTAS Keyboard matrix.zip

Edited May 23, 2011 by apd1004
Added forum link to keyboard commands matrix and zip file

[CDR Spectre]

Well done Sir....well done indeed. Any chance of obtaining the blank matrix file? I'd love to plug in the buttons mapped to my HOTAS rather than keep looking at the profile to see what button does what then looking at the other page to see what the function is

[Wartski]

nice work apd1004

[ErichVon]

Hi all,

 

If you're like me, you can't just run out and drop $500 on the Thrustmaster HOTAS system, and instead have to make due with some other joystick and the keyboard. Someday perhaps I will be able to invest in the Thrustmaster, but not yet. In the meantime I have to make due with what I have. I have no interest in getting a different joystick rig and I will use what I have until I can afford the Thrustmaster.

 

I use a Cyborg X joystick and the keyboard, but I still simulate having a HOTAS as much as possible. What I have attempted to do in my memorization technique is to try to get used to the actual HOTAS button functions rather than try to memorize keyboard commands themselves.

 

For example, I know that Coolie Hat up sets HUD as SOI. I have memorized that the Coolie Hat up = HUD as SOI, and that the "U" key = Coolie Hat up. This is different than just memorizing "U" key = HUD as SOI. It may sound like an unnecessary step that just complicates things, but once you get used to thinking about it this way, it starts to flow pretty good.

 

The main reason I do this is so when I can eventually afford the Thrustmaster HOTAS, it should be a fairly easy transition from keyboard to HOTAS because I already know what the HOTAS buttons do even though I don't have one. All I will really have to do is learn what each button/hat/switch is on the HOTAS. Not sure if it will really be that easy, but right now in my mind I am planning on it being easy.

 

What I have done to help me with my learning the HOTAS commands is to make my own keyboard layout diagram that only has the HOTAS commands on it and nothing else. The default HOTAS keyboard commands are actually laid out in a fairly logical manner in my opinion, and when you look at the diagram that has only the HOTAS commands on it, this becomes more obvious than a diagram that might have everything on it. Along with my keyboard diagram, I also use a modified version of an Excel spreadsheet I downloaded from this forum that lists the HOTAS controls in matrix format. My modification was to add columns for the keyboard commands and mods.

 

I also have a couple of 5" x 8" binders that I set side by side similar to a kneeboard and I use them to refer to. Both the matrix and the keyboard diagram can be printed in portrait and fit on one 8.5" x 11" sheet each. For my 5" x 8" binders, I just cut the 8.5" x 11" sheet in half and put the halves in 5" x 8" sheet protectors. I also have complete keyboard command lists, checklists, airport diagrams, etc. in my binders.

 

I have included both the layout diagram and the HOTAS command matrix in this post in PDF format. Hopefully somebody can find them as useful as I have.

 

Cheers

 

Hi,

 

Anything anybody does is usually worthwhile here.

 

Thank you.

 

B_U_T

 

ever play the Microprose sims?

 

Boxed editions, whatever game, and there were a few, had a keyboard cut out overlay that made it very easy with my Commodore 64. Cannot remember if they had them for my IBM 386.

 

LOL

 

 

:pilotfly:

[apd1004]

Hi,

 

Anything anybody does is usually worthwhile here.

 

Thank you.

 

B_U_T

 

ever play the Microprose sims?

 

Boxed editions, whatever game, and there were a few, had a keyboard cut out overlay that made it very easy with my Commodore 64. Cannot remember if they had them for my IBM 386.

 

LOL

 

 

:pilotfly:

 

You're showing your age if you had a C64. Many people here have no idea what it was like to have a C64 as your main PC. I used to buy just about every sim that came out back in those days. The keyboard templates were great. F-19 Stealth Fighter... M1 Tank Platoon... Jane's Longbow 2...

[klytus]

You're showing your age if you had a C64. Many people here have no idea what it was like to have a C64 as your main PC. I used to buy just about every sim that came out back in those days. The keyboard templates were great. F-19 Stealth Fighter... M1 Tank Platoon... Jane's Longbow 2...

 

Ah! the sweet memories of my younger ill-spent youth (well not that young even then come to think of it :lol:. Had each one of those 'sims' plus others eg silent service, flight of the intruder to name but a few. I started off on the Vic 20 way back in '81/82', loverly piece of kit and that basically started me off.

 

Going back to topic Ahem! great idea apd1004 and thanks for sharing :thumbup:

[derelor]

In the document CMS left and right functions (previous/next program) are mixed up - just like in the game manual :-)

Left should be previous program...

[rob10]

Boxed editions, whatever game, and there were a few, had a keyboard cut out overlay that made it very easy with my Commodore 64. Cannot remember if they had them for my IBM 386.

Ah! the sweet memories of my younger ill-spent youth (well not that young even then come to think of it :lol:. Had each one of those 'sims' plus others eg silent service, flight of the intruder to name but a few. I started off on the Vic 20 way back in '81/82', loverly piece of kit and that basically started me off.

 

Going back to topic Ahem! great idea apd1004 and thanks for sharing :thumbup:

Crap:huh:. I was going to see his C-64 and raise him a Vic-20 :megalol::megalol:. Ahhh the memories!!!! Now back to your regularly scheduled thread....

[Frostiken]

apd1004, don't feel pressured to get a Warthog, it's strictly a luxury item that is in no way necessary to play the game.

 

The next best thing to a Warthog is a CH Fighterstick / Prothrottle / ProPedals which includes pedals for yaw (which the TM 'hog does NOT have any capability of doing whatsoever), and costs half as much.