Is ChasePlane worth it for Microsoft Flight Simulator? Learn who benefits, what native cameras can do, platform limits and setup pitfalls.
ChasePlane is worth it for Microsoft Flight Simulator on PC if you regularly create multiple aircraft-specific views, want smoother camera movement or record cinematic footage. It is harder to justify for occasional flying: MSFS already provides free custom cockpit, drone and showcase cameras, and console users cannot run the required external software.
What does ChasePlane add over MSFS cameras?
ChasePlane adds a faster, more repeatable camera workflow rather than access to places the native cameras cannot reach. Its main advantages are named aircraft profiles, organised view presets, smoother transitions and configurable camera movement.
For example, an airliner profile can hold separate captain, overhead, pedestal, flight-management computer, wing and cabin views. Smart Views help with rapid viewpoint changes, while Cinematics Mode and FlyBy Mode provide more polished external sequences than manually positioning the MSFS Drone Camera.
| Camera requirement | Built-in MSFS cameras | ChasePlane |
|---|---|---|
| Saved cockpit positions | Custom view slots controlled through bindings | Named, organised aircraft profiles |
| External camera work | Flexible Drone and Showcase cameras | Smoother transitions, fly-bys and cinematic sequences |
| Camera movement | Basic camera-shake behaviour | Adjustable acceleration, turbulence and touchdown effects |
| Flight replay | Depends on the simulator or a separate recorder | Not a substitute for a flight recorder |
| Platforms | PC and supported consoles | PC only |
ChasePlane does not improve graphics, frame rate, aircraft handling or scenery. It also does not rewind the flight by itself; its cinematic tools control the camera, not the recorded position of the aircraft.
Who should buy ChasePlane, and who should skip it?
ChasePlane earns its price when camera management is a repeated part of flying rather than an occasional task. We consider it most useful for complex cockpits, content creation and simmers who switch among many carefully arranged views.
Best reasons to buy it
- You fly airliners or detailed business jets and constantly move between the main panel, overhead, pedestal and displays.
- You record videos or take screenshots and need repeatable camera positions with controlled transitions.
- You use many aircraft and want profiles instead of remembering native custom-view slots.
- You want adjustable motion effects that communicate turbulence, acceleration and touchdown without moving the aircraft itself.
Reasons to stay with the native cameras
- You normally use one seated position and a joystick hat switch.
- You only need the Drone Camera for occasional screenshots.
- You are buying primarily for flight replay, better performance or improved graphics.
- You fly on Xbox Series X|S, PS5 or PS5 Pro.
Before paying for another camera utility, test what is already included. Our guide to saving and recalling native cockpit views covers the free option that is sufficient for many pilots.
Does ChasePlane work with MSFS 2024 and consoles?
The Microsoft Flight Simulator edition of ChasePlane runs on PC with MSFS 2020 and MSFS 2024, but it is not a console add-on. Xbox consoles cannot run the required Windows application, and the PS5 and PS5 Pro editions of MSFS 2024 cannot run it either.
PC VR is a special case because the headset still controls the pilot’s head position. ChasePlane can manage base views and motion, but excessive camera effects may feel uncomfortable or fight the intended VR viewpoint; our guide explains how to combine ChasePlane with Microsoft Flight Simulator VR.
What should you configure first?
Start with one aircraft profile and a few essential views; building dozens at once makes binding and motion conflicts harder to identify.
- Establish the connection. Confirm that ChasePlane detects the simulator and selects the intended aircraft profile before changing controls. Follow our PC installation, connection and profile setup instructions if the view does not respond.
- Create a minimum set of views. Begin with the normal seat, one close panel view, an overhead view and one external position. Add more only after those work reliably.
- Remove duplicate bindings. If a view snaps, moves twice or immediately returns, check whether the same button or hat direction is assigned in both MSFS and ChasePlane.
- Use one motion source. Running ChasePlane physics alongside strong native camera shake or another motion utility can produce exaggerated turbulence and touchdown movement. Use our recommended approach to balancing camera physics and turbulence.
Do not assume one profile will fit every variant of an aircraft. Different cockpit geometry and pilot eyepoints can leave an imported view inside a seat, behind a panel or outside the model; duplicate the profile and adjust it for that variant.
Our verdict
For serious PC camera users, ChasePlane is a productivity purchase rather than a visual upgrade. It is worth buying when native view slots and manual Drone Camera movement interrupt nearly every flight. If you use only a normal cockpit view and occasional exterior shots, Microsoft Flight Simulator’s built-in cameras already cover the job.