Ace Combat's default key bindings for Saitek X52 are awkward at best. There is a glitch in the Ace Combat's code that makes it nearly impossible to change key bindings in-game.

The easiest way to set up new key bindings is to convert some of the joystick buttons to keyboard keys.

1.) Click HERE[www.electracode.com] to download JoytoKey.

2.) Unzip file (Need help?[www.stuffit.com])

3.) Run JoytoKey

4.) Now you can set the bindings to what ever you like. Set your joystick buttons to the default keyboard keys.

Default Key Bindings:
Machine Gun - Left Ctrl
Missiles - Space
Initiate DFM - C
Change Weapon - Q
Switch Target - E
Flares - F
Change Views - V
Map - R
Flight Comand 1 - F1
Flight Comand 2 - F2
Flight Comand 3 - F3
Flight Comand 4 - F4

Example Config:
Button 1 - Ctrl
Button 2 - V
Button 3 - Q
Button 4 - F
Button 5 - Space
Button 7 - C
Button 8 - R
Button 9 - F4
Button 10 - F1
Button 12 - F2
Button 14 - F3
Button 30 - E

5.) IMPORTANT: Remove all joystick bindings (in-game) except for any bindings you didn't change (such as Pitch, Yaw, and Roll). This way, you dont tell the Ace Combat to do multiple actions with one joystick button.

PS: As you might have noticed, I didn't change Pitch, Yaw, and Roll controls because those worked fine for me. Although you can assign your joystick to make mouse movements if you are having problems.

This is a fix for the Saitek X52 but it should work for all joysticks. I hope this helps. Please rate and leave a comment. :)

**EDIT: I recently got a Wired XBox 360 Controller for Windows[www.amazon.com] for $30. After using it with Ace Combat I realize now that this game is really made for a gamepad and not a joystick. After using the gamepad, the game actually feels fun to play. Ace Combat is really an arcade game and not a simulation, so a joystick just doesn't feel right for this game.