Learn how to activate afterburners in FSX, use Shift+F4 correctly, and fix missing effects, throttle limits and add-on control conflicts.
In FSX and FSX: Steam Edition, load an afterburner-equipped jet, advance the throttle to full power with F4, then press Shift+F4 to toggle the afterburner. Press Shift+F4 again to disengage it. Some add-on aircraft bypass FSX’s standard command and engage reheat automatically or through their own cockpit control.
Steps to activate afterburners in FSX
The standard FSX sequence is full throttle followed by the afterburner toggle.
- Load a compatible jet. The F/A-18 supplied with FSX Acceleration, FSX Gold and FSX: Steam Edition is a useful stock aircraft for testing. Base boxed editions without Acceleration do not include that Hornet; see what the Acceleration expansion adds to FSX if you are unsure which content is installed.
- Advance to full throttle. Press
F4, or move the hardware throttle fully forward and past its physical detent if it has one. - Toggle the afterburner. Press
Shift+F4once. The aircraft must be configured to recognise FSX’s standard afterburner event. - Switch it off. Press
Shift+F4again, then reduce the throttle as required.
Why doesn’t Shift+F4 activate the afterburner?
Shift+F4 usually fails because the aircraft lacks afterburner support, the key assignment has changed, or the throttle axis never reaches the activation threshold.
| Symptom | Likely cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| No extra thrust or visual effect | The aircraft is not configured for afterburners, or it uses custom controls | Check the aircraft documentation or test the command with the stock Acceleration F/A-18. |
F4 works, but the hardware throttle does not | The throttle axis stops short of its maximum value | Recalibrate the controller and confirm that the in-simulator throttle reaches its forward limit. |
| Thrust increases but no flame appears | The visual effect is missing, disabled or not attached to the model | Check the aircraft’s effect installation; the exhaust graphic and engine thrust are separate parts of FSX. |
| A flame appears but performance does not change | The aircraft has a visual-only effect | The engine configuration also needs afterburner thrust modelling. |
| The shortcut does nothing on a laptop | The function key is intercepted by media or system controls | Use the keyboard’s Fn modifier as required, or assign a different control. |
Can I assign the FSX afterburner to a joystick?
Yes, where FSX exposes the afterburner event, assign Afterburner or Toggle Afterburner to a joystick or throttle button. Remove conflicting assignments and test the button with a known compatible aircraft. Our guide to checking and changing FSX control bindings covers the assignment process.
A physical throttle detent does not automatically become an afterburner control in FSX. Some sophisticated add-ons detect throttle position themselves, while others require a custom cockpit switch or command instead of the standard event.
Does every FSX fighter jet have working afterburners?
No. An aircraft can look like an afterburning fighter without having additional thrust, a flame effect or the required gauge logic.
Standard FSX afterburner support depends on the aircraft’s engine configuration. Add-on developers may also use custom gauges, throttle thresholds, sounds and effects, so their instructions take precedence over Shift+F4. Reheat is another name commonly used for the same system.
If an aircraft has no implementation at all, another key assignment will not fix it. Back up the aircraft’s files before following our tutorial for adding and configuring an FSX afterburner.
How can I tell whether the afterburner is active?
A working FSX afterburner normally produces stronger acceleration and higher fuel flow; compatible models may also show an exhaust plume, nozzle movement, a cockpit indication or a distinct sound.
Do not judge it solely by the flame graphic because some aircraft model the extra thrust without a visible effect, while others do the reverse. Pulling the throttle below the activation threshold may extinguish the effect while leaving the command armed, so press Shift+F4 again when you want the system positively switched off.