Complete configuration guide for DCS World with MOZA Flight hardware. Covers per-aircraft presets, trim behavior, helicopter mode, telemetry force feedback, and MCLS model configuration.

Telemetry Force Feedback Support: DCS World provides native telemetry output that MOZA Cockpit uses for advanced force feedback effects including control loading based on airspeed, G-loading, and aircraft-specific characteristics.

Initial Setup

1

Load the DCS Preset

In MOZA Cockpit, select DCS World from the preset dropdown. The software will load the recommended force feedback and telemetry configuration.

2

Clear In-Game Force Feedback

In DCS World, go to Options → Misc. and ensure Force Feedback is disabled. MOZA Cockpit handles all force feedback — enabling both will cause conflicts.

3

Bind Controls In-Game

Go to Options → Controls. Select your MOZA device from the device list and bind axes and buttons. DCS supports per-aircraft control profiles — set up bindings for each aircraft individually for the best experience.

Per-Aircraft Presets

MOZA Cockpit provides official presets for many DCS aircraft. Select the appropriate preset for your aircraft to get optimized force feedback settings:

F-14 Tomcat

Force feedback stick with realistic hydraulic control loading. No spring centering — the stick reflects actual control forces. Configure trim via the in-game trim hat.

F-16C Viper

Force-sensing side-stick with minimal physical movement. Set MOZA Cockpit to Force Sensing mode for the most authentic experience.

F/A-18C Hornet

Standard spring-centered stick with telemetry-driven dynamic forces. Enable spring centering in MOZA Cockpit and use the F-18 preset for accurate flight control feel.

AH-64D Apache

Helicopter configuration with no spring centering. Enable Helicopter Mode in MOZA Cockpit to remove centering forces. Trim functions differently — see the Helicopter section below.

Trim Behavior by Aircraft Type

Trim behavior varies significantly between DCS aircraft. Understanding these differences is essential for proper configuration:

Aircraft Stick Type Trim Behavior MOZA Cockpit Setting
F-14 Hydraulic, no centering Trim shifts neutral point No Spring, No Mechanical Centering
F-16C Force-sensing side-stick Trim offsets force zero point Force Sensing Mode
F/A-18C Spring-centered Trim shifts center position Spring Centering + Telemetry FFB
AH-64D Helicopter cyclic Force trim — holds position Helicopter Mode, No Centering
Other aircraft Varies Standard trim Use official preset if available

Helicopter Mode & Force Trim

For helicopters in DCS (AH-64D, UH-1H, Mi-8, Ka-50, etc.):

  1. In MOZA Cockpit, enable Helicopter Mode — this disables spring centering so the stick stays where you position it
  2. Use the Force Trim button (bind it in DCS) to hold the cyclic position
  3. When you press Force Trim, the stick holds its current position — you can release physical pressure on the stick
  4. After trimming, the stick position may shift slightly toward the physical center — this is normal behavior as the system balances trim position with mechanical forces
  5. For the most authentic helicopter experience, set Damping to a moderate level in MOZA Cockpit to add realistic resistance

MCLS Force Feedback Model

The MOZA Control Loading System (MCLS) force feedback model enhances DCS telemetry data with physics-based control force simulation. It can be toggled in MOZA Cockpit under the Force Feedback settings for your DCS preset.

  • MCLS On: Applies physics-modeled control forces based on airspeed, altitude, and aircraft state — provides more nuanced and realistic feedback
  • MCLS Off: Uses raw DCS telemetry data for force feedback — simpler but may feel less refined on some aircraft

Experiment with both settings to determine which feels best for your flying style and aircraft. MCLS is generally recommended for fixed-wing aircraft; helicopter users may prefer it off for a more direct response.

Troubleshooting

Stick shakes continuously after loading into an aircraft (e.g., SU-25)

This is typically caused by conflicting force feedback settings. Ensure DCS in-game Force Feedback is disabled (Options → Misc → uncheck Force Feedback). In MOZA Cockpit, reduce the Vibration and Oscillation sliders. If the issue persists, try loading the aircraft preset again after entering the cockpit.

Trim doesn't work as expected — stick snaps back after trimming

Check that your aircraft's MOZA Cockpit preset matches the aircraft type. The F-14 and helicopters require No Spring Centering mode. For spring-centered aircraft (F/A-18C, etc.), the trim should shift the center position — if it snaps back, recalibrate the base and reapply the preset.

Uncommanded trim movement during flight

Check for conflicting button bindings in DCS Controls. Some HOTAS setups have trim bound to multiple devices by default. Clear all trim-related bindings and assign only one. Also verify that no axis is inadvertently bound to the trim function.

Only F-18, F-16, and F-14 have centering force — other aircraft feel loose

This is expected when using per-aircraft presets. If a preset is not available for your aircraft, MOZA Cockpit may default to a generic configuration. Create a custom preset: set Spring Centering to your preference, adjust Force Feedback strength, and save it for that aircraft.

Throttle doesn't respond in DCS with MTQ connected to AB9

In DCS Controls, ensure the throttle axis is bound to the correct device. DCS may list multiple input devices — select the MTQ (or the base if the MTQ is connected through it) from the device dropdown. Verify the axis is bound to Throttle (not a button function). In MOZA Cockpit, confirm the axis registers correctly on the throttle page.

Need help with DCS configuration? Contact MOZA Support