[SEE]

Most will have keyboard assignments mapped in the IL2 Control menu and then use these to programme their X52's either using the Saitek SST programming utility. Your best bet is to list the commands that you need and note the location of the various X52 switches and axis controls.

When you go into the controls menu just select the command you want and press the appropriate switch. Prop Pitch, TRim, flaps can be assigned to the rotary/slider controls and these are listed at the bottom of the IL2 controls menu. You will not be able to use the mouse or the throttle switch marked 'I' if you use the X52 with no SST installed and the MFD will be pretty much redundant.

I prefer to use the Microsoft driver and Xpadder for programming both my X52 and x52 Pro rather than Saiteks driver and their SST software as it is easier with all switches/axis available for programming, more versatile, requires no 'Magic HID' installs or changes to the Windows OS but I lose the MFD functions and the Mousestick (neither of which are of any use to me anyway!)