Learn how to control aircraft lights in FSX using keyboard shortcuts and cockpit switches, plus fixes for landing, taxi, strobe and panel lights.
In FSX and FSX: Steam Edition, press L to toggle all aircraft lights, O for strobes, Ctrl+L for landing lights, and Shift+L for panel lights. For individual beacon, navigation, taxi, logo or wing lights, use the labelled switches on the aircraft’s 2D panel or virtual cockpit, where fitted.
FSX aircraft light keyboard controls
The standard FSX shortcuts cover all lights, strobes, landing lights and panel lighting; most other light types are controlled from the cockpit or require a user-assigned command.
| Light command | Default key | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| All aircraft lights | L | Toggles the aircraft’s available lights as a group. |
| Strobe lights | O | Toggles the strobes independently. |
| Landing lights | Ctrl+L | Toggles the landing lights. |
| Panel lights | Shift+L | Toggles instrument or panel lighting where supported. |
| Aim landing lights | Ctrl+Shift plus numeric keypad 2, 4, 6 or 8 | Moves an adjustable landing light; keypad 5 centres it. |
The aiming commands only have a visible effect on aircraft equipped with movable landing lights. For commands beyond lighting, keep our complete FSX control reference handy.
These are the default bindings. If they do nothing, the keys may have been changed or assigned to another function; our instructions for reviewing and changing FSX key assignments show where to check them.
How do I control individual lights in the cockpit?
Use the aircraft’s 2D panel or virtual cockpit when you need separate control of the beacon, navigation, taxi, landing, strobe, logo or wing lights.
Look for a lighting panel labelled LIGHTS, usually on the main panel, overhead panel or a side console. The exact arrangement depends on the aircraft: a light can only be switched independently if that aircraft model includes the relevant switch and lighting effect.
Complex add-ons may use custom electrical logic and ignore the standard keyboard events. In that case, supply electrical power and operate the cockpit switches in the order required by the aircraft’s checklist. Pressing L is a coarse global toggle and can undo the realistic mixture of lights you set manually.
Panel illumination is also commonly tied to a rheostat rather than a simple switch. See our separate panel-light and dimmer instructions if the gauges remain dark or barely visible.
Why won’t my FSX aircraft lights turn on?
Non-working FSX lights are usually caused by missing electrical power, a changed key binding or an aircraft that does not implement that particular light.
- Establish electrical power. Turn on the battery or master electrical switch and, where the aircraft requires it, connect a generator or external power source. A panel-light rheostat set to zero will keep the panel dark even when its switch is on.
- Test at dusk or night. Navigation, beacon and logo lights can be difficult to see in daylight. Check from an external view as well as the cockpit.
- Try the cockpit switch. A custom add-on may not respond to
L,OorCtrl+Leven though its own switches work correctly. - Check the control assignment. Confirm that another command, controller profile or add-on has not replaced the default shortcut.
- Consider the aircraft model. Some aircraft have no separate taxi, logo, wing or adjustable landing light. FSX cannot activate a light that the model and its configuration do not provide.
If the landing light switch operates but no beam illuminates the ground, test another aircraft at the same airport and time of day. FSX lighting is model-dependent: some aircraft display a bright lamp or glow without projecting a convincing beam onto the surface.
Can I assign separate keys to taxi, beacon or navigation lights?
You can assign a separate key when the relevant light event appears in FSX’s Controls list, but the stock assignment screen does not expose every light type for every aircraft.
- Open Controls. Enter the simulator’s control settings and select the keyboard or buttons-and-keys assignments.
- Find the light event. Look through the available events for taxi, beacon, navigation, landing or other light commands.
- Assign an unused key. Remove any conflict shown for that key before saving the assignment.
- Test the aircraft. If the binding still has no effect, use the cockpit switch; the add-on may use a custom system rather than the standard FSX event.
Taxi lights are especially inconsistent between aircraft: some have a separate switch, some combine them with another light, and others do not model them. Our taxi-light switching and configuration guide covers that specific case.
Which aircraft lights should I use during a flight?
A practical FSX routine is to use the beacon around engine operation, taxi lights while moving on the ground, strobes on the runway and in flight, and landing lights for take-off and landing.
| Flight stage | Typical light use |
|---|---|
| Power-up and engine start | Navigation lights as required; beacon before starting engines or turning propellers. |
| Taxi | Beacon, navigation and taxi lights; strobes normally remain off away from the runway. |
| Take-off | Strobes and landing lights on, with other external lights according to the aircraft procedure. |
| Cruise | Navigation, beacon and strobe lights; landing lights usually off. |
| Approach and landing | Landing lights on, then taxi lights after leaving the runway. |
| Shutdown | Strobes and landing lights off after vacating; beacon off once engines and propellers have stopped. |
Those are common operating conventions rather than a universal checklist. Airline procedures and individual aircraft manuals can specify a different sequence, and FSX itself does not require realistic light use for an ordinary flight.