Before you install, make sure that you have everything connected correctly:

1. Check the  PS/2 Cable that comes with the controller.  Make sure the pins are straight and all ok.  There should be six in the head of the plug.
2. Connect the stick to the throttle with the PS/2 cable.
3. Plug the USB cable from the Throttle into the PC. 

We recommend that you install the latest driver and SmartTechnology (ST) programming software from our website. Once installed, you’ll see a Saitek icon in your taskbar, next to the clock. 

Before you start up your flight simulator for the first time, you should acquaint yourself with some of the controls and features of the X52 Professional H.O.T.A.S. Go to Control Panel > Game Controllers and select the Properties for your X52 Professional H.O.T.A.S. You can test your buttons and axes here, and adjust the time readout and LED brightness and color.

In addition to the standard Aileron, Elevator, Rudder and Throttle controls, you also have three additional axes to use on the throttle controller: two silver ridged rotary wheels, and the precision slide. These are positioned conveniently so that your thumb and index finger can operate them. These controls have no set function, but they can be assigned in your Flight Sim to additional axes such as Elevator Trim or Flaps.

The X52 Professional H.O.T.A.S. possesses a Multi-Function Display (MFD). This is used to view information about your button configurations, and it also allows for direct manipulation of the Radio Stack information in FSX. Load up a flight, and the Radio Stack data will be displayed on the MFD. Use the PG UP and PG DOWN wheel below the screen to scroll through the Radio Stack functions. Scrolling the MFD-SELECT wheel up and down will scroll through the sectors that can be altered. Press the MFD-SELECT control to highlight the information then move the scroll wheel to alter the altitude data, for example.

You may also notice a silver knob on the stick, that when turned alters the color of the MODE LED and the Mode number on the MFD. (The modes apply to the programming software (ST) that comes with the controller.) The software allows you to assign the keyboard commands from your simulator to the buttons on the X52 Professional H.O.T.A.S. You can save these assignments as a profile, which can be tweaked as your flight experience increases. One Mode equals one configured set of buttons. With the ST, you can set a minimum of three different button configurations to your controller at one time. You can set even more modes in the programming software itself.

You should also see a button on the throttle labeled I — this is the Clutch Button. The Clutch Button lets you alter profiles on the fly. This is useful if you have made two separate profiles for different aircraft. You can change profiles without having to close your simulator. In order to change profiles, press and hold the Clutch Button. You will notice that the HAT Switch LED will begin to flash. Use the North and South clicks to scroll the profile list displayed on your MFD. The East click will activate the profile displayed on the MFD. The West click will clear the profile from your controller. The profile for FSX can be downloaded here.