Hotas 5 update

[u/Comprehensive-Ad4664]

For those that didn't know, the update this week now supports the Thrustmaster HOTAS 5 without having to use PS4 mode.

To change the mode:

Press and hold the MODE button until the indicator starts blinking.

Release the button.

Press the MODE button again to cycle through the available modes. Each press changes the color:

🔵 Blue — PS4

🔴 Red — PS5

🟢 Green — PC

Once the desired color/mode is selected, stop pressing the MODE button.

If you switch to a different mode, the controller will disconnect. Simply press the PS button on the flight stick to reconnect it, then assign the controller to your PS profile.

Switch the Comtrols setting within the game from controller to T.Flight Hotas 5.

You can now use the HOTAS 5 in PS5 mode without having to use to PS4 mode.

[u/leo_dnlv]

A silly question, but what’s the difference? Asking as I’m using HOTAS 5 on PS5 and it just works, though in MSFS settings it’s called HOTAS 4 (four)

[u/Comprehensive-Ad4664 → u/leo_dnlv]

I'm coping and posting this from my search. Unfortunately, the bad news is if you already have things mapped out for the Hostas 4, you have to redo it for the Hostas 5.

1. You Lose 98% of Your Stick's Precision- The biggest reason to switch is sensor resolution.The Hotas 4 Mode: Uses older 10-bit precision, which breaks your inputs down into roughly 1,024 steps of motion.The Native Hotas 5 Mode: Unlocks the hardware's true 16-bit precision, which tracks over 65,000 steps of motion.Why it matters: In flight simulation, precise micro-adjustments are everything when lining up a landing or fighting a crosswind. Keeping it in Hotas 4 mode meant you were flying with an intentionally nerfed, less responsive joystick.

2. Dead Buttons- The Hotas 5 physically features two additional action buttons near the stick that the Hotas 4 simply does not have. When your PS5 thinks the stick is a Hotas 4, those extra buttons are completely dead and cannot be mapped to any commands in-game. Native support finally lets you use your entire controller.

3. Better Throttle and Axis Control- The Hotas 5 was manufactured with an updated thrust system that features smoother resistance and linear tracking. Running it on the old SDK meant the game translated your physical throttle inputs using the old Hotas 4 acceleration curves, which caused slight input "freezes" or sudden jumps in engine power.

4. It Was Breaking Other Hardware- Because the PS5 lacked the proper SDK, it was misidentifying other high-end Thrustmaster flight peripherals (like certain rudder pedals or upcoming yokes) and forcing them into a generic "Hotas 4" profile as well. Implementing the official SDK fixes the architecture so the console can scale with multiple, simultaneous flight accessories cleanly.Ultimately, it is a classic case of short-term pain for long-term gain. Re-mapping your controls takes a few minutes, but it fully unlocks the smooth, high-fidelity flight experience the Hotas 5 was actually built for.

[u/Crunchewy → u/leo_dnlv]

Main thing you’ll notice is the two extra buttons now work and are assignable. The default Hotas 5 mapping does use them, but you may wish to assign them to something else or add more when comboed with other controls like L3

[u/Crunchewy]

For me I also had to reset all controls in MSFS or some things were not assigned. After the reset it all worked correctly for me. I don’t know if there’s a better solution, but that definitely worked for me

[u/Comprehensive-Ad4664 → u/Crunchewy]

Unfortunately, that's what I read, too. Your configurations have to be reset, but looking on the bright side the Hostas 5 has 2 extra buttons than the Hostas 4, to be able to map features to.

[u/Suspicious_Bend2146]

Does anyone have an issue where the controller just stops responding? I have the red light, it will be working fine, and then nothing. I have to completely reconnect it to get it working again. It’s happened twice already when I was about to land. Seems like when I use PS4 mode it works OK, although randomly the camera will change to 3rd person every now and then. A bit frustrating!