[VSKYLABS Bulletin] issued 17th November 2025
A quick guide to help you get comfortable with throttle setup.
In general - Throttle management is staright forward, simply 'blip' the throttles fore and aft briefly and shortly to set it inside the CUTOFF detent, or back to IDLE. This can be done with the mouse, VR manipulator or with your Throttle hardware.
Here's a short video showing it in action. Keep reading for a thorough guilde to dig in, if you are using dedicated hardware!
VSKYLABS Advanced Throttle Integration:
The VSKYLABS 510X features a custom throttle cut-off detent system designed for maximum compatibility with all throttle hardware and external scripting tools. This section provides guidance for advanced users who wish to integrate the system with hardware detent switches, home-cockpit interfaces, or custom FlyWithLua scripts.
Introduction of the 'Blip':
The VSKYLABS 510X throttle cut-off mechanism can be controlled using a short, fore-and-back motion (“blip”) on the throttle axis:
- Throttle fully retarded to idle.
- Throttle advanced forward past 8% travel (ratio > 0.08).
- Throttle returned to idle within 1 second.
This gesture toggles the throttle between IDLE and CUT-OFF, without requiring buttons or scripting. It is compatible with all hardware, including VR controllers and mouse operations.
OPERATION - Engaging Cut-Off:
- Retard throttle fully to idle.
- Within one second, advance throttles forward slightly, then return to idle.
- Levers drop visually into the cut-off detent; engines shut down.
OPERATION - Return to Idle (Relight):
- From idle, repeat the same “blip” motion forward and back within one second.
- Levers return to idle detent; engines resume normal fuel flow.
Notes:
- Gesture detection is time-limited to avoid unintentional activation.
- The visual detent gap between idle and cut-off represents the mechanical gate in the real aircraft.
Pilot Tips:
- Practice the throttle “blip” gesture on the ground before engine start to get a feel for detent timing and travel. Once familiar, it becomes a natural and intuitive motion, just like lifting over the gate in the real aircraft.
- Using the mouse or VR? Instead of 'clicking' on a click-spot, simply 'blip' the throttle with the mouse/manipulator!
Assignments, Advanced Hardware, Scripting & Custom Bindings:
For users with hardware detent switches or external scripting systems, the 510X provides dedicated throttle cut-off commands. These commands directly control the internal cut-off state and do not interfere with throttle axis movement.
Using Built-In Assignments:
You can assign keys/buttons directly using the VSKYLABS ‘Cockpit-Builders Assignment Layer’, which works within X-Plane 12 assignment system. Simply type ‘510 throttle’ in the search bar, and use desired assignment, as shown in the following screenshot:
Available Commands:
Left Engine:
vskylabs/510x/throttles/throttle_L_cutoff_set
vskylabs/510x/throttles/throttle_L_idle_set
vskylabs/510x/throttles/throttle_L_cutoff_toggle
Right Engine
vskylabs/510x/throttles/throttle_R_cutoff_set
vskylabs/510x/throttles/throttle_R_idle_set
vskylabs/510x/throttles/throttle_R_cutoff_toggle
These commands may be assigned to any joystick button, detent switch, or external interface.
Using Hardware Detent Switch:
Advanced throttle hardware (e.g., Honeycomb Bravo, Virpil, WinWing, Thrustmaster TCA) may include physical switches that activate when the lever is moved past an idle gate.
These switches may be mapped directly to the 510X commands.
Bravo Throttle Quadrant Compatibility:
The Honeycomb Bravo idle-cutoff detent sends only a single momentary button press when the lever is pulled into the detent. It does not send a secondary signal when the lever is moved back to idle.
The 510X throttle system is designed to operate naturally with this mechanism by using the dedicated toggle command:
vskylabs/510x/throttles/throttle_L_cutoff_toggle
vskylabs/510x/throttles/throttle_R_cutoff_toggle
Each time the lever enters the detent, the system performs a single cut-off/idle toggle, functioning similarly to a ratchet mechanism. This allows the detent to be used as an intuitive “blip” control.
Cold & Dark Start:
- The 510X initializes with throttles in CUT-OFF.
- Set the Bravo lever into the detent before loading the aircraft for state alignment.
- If the states do not match, 'ratchet' the detent once to synchronize.
Engines Running Start:
- The 510X initializes with throttles in IDLE.
- Set the Bravo lever above the detent before loading for correct alignment.
Alternative Method:
Users may leave the detent button unassigned and use the built-in throttle blip gesture, which works on all hardware, including VR and simple joystick throttles.
This workflow requires minimal adaptation and provides full throttle/cutoff functionality across a wide range of hardware.
Integration With FlyWithLua and Other Scripts:
Users who previously controlled jet cut-off through mixture manipulation should note that this method is not compatible for the 510X or for jet aircraft in general.
Instead - Replace mixture commands with the dedicated 510X cut-off commands (listed above).
These commands ensure proper synchronization with the aircraft’s internal logic, without overriding native mixture behavior or affecting other aircraft.
Coexistence of Gesture and Commands:
The blip gesture and command-based methods operate on the same internal cut-off state. When a command is used, gesture detection is temporarily isolated to prevent conflicts. Both methods remain available at all times and may be used interchangeably.
VSL 510X-VLJ DOCUMENTATION & SUPPORT
*click on the images to re-direct.
