A footswitch apparatus for remotely controlling a surgical instrument. The footswitch apparatus preferably includes a base and a footpedal movably mounted to the base. The footpedal is movable within set upward and downward limits. In one mode of operation, the downward travel of the footpedal is resisted by different springs and different ranges of travel. The footpedal position is sensed and the operation of the surgical instrument is altered depending on which of the ranges the footpedal is in. This gives the operator constant tactile feedback as to which range of travel the footpedal is in. In addition, in a second mode of operation, the multiple springs are decoupled and only a single spring is experienced throughout the range of travel. This provides a flexibility so that the same footswitch apparatus can be used to operate a surgical instrument in a particular mode with linear control throughout the range of footpedal travel.