Squad: How to Enable Experimental HOTAS and TrackIR Helicopter Controls

Check the branch and server scope first

This procedure covers the experimental branch introduced alongside Squad 10.6. It adds multiple-device HOTAS input and TrackIR helicopter support. The publisher calls the branch highly experimental and not fully tested, so these instructions describe that branch rather than promising the same menus in every future live build. [1]

The stated compatibility is with live 10.6 servers. Check the current branch and server version before relying on that version-specific compatibility claim. [1]

Select squad_pilot_testing in Steam

From the Steam library, open Squad’s Properties, then Game Versions & Betas. Under Selected Game Version, choose squad_pilot_testing. This is the publisher’s branch-selection route for the helicopter controls experiment. [1]

Steps

1. Open Squad’s Properties from its Steam library entry. [1]
2. Open Game Versions & Betas and select squad_pilot_testing. [1]

Bind each axis and tune its response

Open Controls, then Keyboard & Mouse, then Helicopter Axes. Bind the flight axes and tune the response curves there. Axis configuration is placed under Keyboard & Mouse even though this branch adds support for flight peripherals; do not look only in the Gamepad page for axis curves. [1]

Steps

1. Use Helicopter Axes in the Keyboard & Mouse controls to bind axes and adjust curves. [1]

Use the separate menu for peripheral buttons

Joystick and other device buttons belong in the Gamepad controls menu. This differs from the axis configuration page. The branch cannot yet bind joystick buttons to load or unload supplies, and its Reset defaults control does not reset response curves. [1]

Keep those two listed limitations in mind when a button binding is unavailable or an axis curve survives a reset. [1]

Steps

1. Bind supported peripheral buttons through Gamepad controls. [1]

Run TrackIR software and enable the helicopter toggle

Run the TrackIR software alongside Squad, then open Game settings and its Helicopters section. Enable Use TrackIR in Helicopter for six degrees of freedom head tracking. Both the external software and the in-game toggle are part of the documented setup; enabling only the toggle does not satisfy the software requirement. [1]

Steps

1. Keep TrackIR software running with the game. [1]
2. Enable Use TrackIR in Helicopter under Game settings, Helicopters. [1]