Learn how to bind the fuel pump and other cockpit switches to keys in FSX, resolve conflicts, and control mouse-only add-on switches.
In FSX and FSX: Steam Edition, open Settings > Controls > Buttons/Keys, select Keyboard, find the Fuel pump command, choose New Assignment, and press your preferred key combination. It works only when the aircraft uses FSX's standard fuel-pump event; custom add-on or mouse-only switches may require the aircraft's own controls or FSUIPC.
How do I assign a fuel pump key in FSX?
Use FSX's Buttons/Keys list for any switch backed by a standard simulator command.
- Open the control settings. From the main screen, open Settings and then Controls. During a flight, display the menu bar and use Options > Settings > Controls.
- Select Buttons/Keys. Choose Keyboard as the controller type if FSX presents a controller selector.
- Show all commands. Set the event category to All Events, then locate the entry containing Fuel pump. The displayed wording can vary slightly between FSX installations.
- Create the assignment. Select the command, choose New Assignment or Change Assignment, and press the key or key combination you want.
- Check for conflicts. If FSX reports that the key is already assigned, remove or replace the old command only if you no longer need it.
- Test the binding. Load a stock aircraft equipped with an electric fuel pump, provide the required electrical power, and watch both the switch and the relevant system indication.
Our walkthrough for finding, changing and removing FSX keyboard bindings covers the complete assignment screen. A printable list of FSX keyboard commands is also useful for spotting existing shortcuts before creating another one.
Why does the key work in one aircraft but not another?
If a stock aircraft responds but an add-on does not, the add-on probably uses custom gauge or systems logic instead of the standard FSX event.
- Custom switch logic: Some add-on switches respond only to mouse clicks or commands supplied by the developer.
- Unsupported system: The aircraft may not model an electric pump, or its automatic fuel system may ignore the generic command.
- No electrical power: A pump can remain inactive when the battery, master switch or required electrical bus is off.
- Visual mismatch: The simulator variable may change even though a custom cockpit switch does not animate, or the switch may animate without driving the expected system.
- Repeated toggle input: A repeating assignment can switch the pump on and immediately off. Disable key repeat for toggle commands.
- Key conflict: Another command may be using the same combination. Remove the duplicate assignment and test again.
The quickest diagnosis is to try the same binding in a suitable stock aircraft. If it fails there too, revisit the assignment; if it works there, the add-on needs an aircraft-specific method.
Can every FSX cockpit switch be assigned to a key?
No. FSX can bind only commands exposed through its control system, while many detailed add-ons keep some switches inside their own gauges.
| Switch implementation | Best assignment method |
|---|---|
| Standard FSX command | Use Controls > Buttons/Keys. |
| Add-on with its own command manager | Use the add-on's documented keyboard or hardware assignment. |
| Custom mouse-only gauge switch | Use an advanced mapper only if that gauge exposes a supported control, variable or mouse action. |
| Physical two-position switch | Prefer separate on and off commands over a toggle event when available. |
FSUIPC provides advanced assignment options for FSX and can help when a suitable control is exposed outside the standard menu. It cannot make every mouse-only switch bindable, however; support depends on the aircraft's gauge technology, the available command and the FSUIPC configuration.
Should I use a toggle or separate on and off commands?
A toggle command is normally adequate for a keyboard key, but explicit on and off commands are safer for maintained hardware switches and scripted cockpit setups.
With a toggle, FSX simply reverses the existing state, so the physical switch and simulator can become out of sync after loading a flight or clicking the virtual switch. Separate commands avoid that problem when the aircraft exposes them. Also remember that assigning a pump key does not mean the pump should remain on throughout every flight; our explanation of how and when electric fuel pumps are used covers the usual operating cases.
Are FSX keyboard bindings aircraft-specific?
Standard FSX keyboard assignments are generally simulator-wide rather than tied to one aircraft.
Choose combinations that will not cause trouble elsewhere, particularly for generic toggle commands. Aircraft-specific profiles are possible only when the add-on's control manager or an advanced assignment tool supports them.