Controller or keyboard for MSFS 2024? See which gives better flight control, why keyboard-only flying struggles, and the best combined setup.
Use a controller for flying Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 and a keyboard for secondary commands. A gamepad’s analogue sticks and triggers can provide gradual pitch, roll, yaw and braking inputs; keyboard keys are digital. The most practical setup is therefore controller plus keyboard and mouse, not either device alone.
Which is better in MSFS 2024: controller or keyboard?
A controller is substantially better for controlling the aircraft, while a keyboard is better for managing its many systems and commands. This applies on PC, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5 and PS5 Pro, although the available presets and button labels differ by platform.
| Task | Controller | Keyboard |
|---|---|---|
| Pitch and roll | Proportional stick movement allows small corrections | Key presses provide coarse digital input |
| Rudder and braking | Can be progressive when mapped to analogue triggers or axes | Harder to apply smoothly |
| Take-offs and landings | Good enough for casual and accurate flying with careful tuning | Difficult, especially in crosswinds |
| Autopilot, radios and aircraft systems | Limited by the number of buttons | Many commands can have direct bindings |
| Cameras and simulator functions | Convenient for common views | Faster for less frequently used commands |
A gamepad is not as precise as a joystick or yoke, but it offers a far better primary flight-control experience than a keyboard. Xbox controllers are the straightforward gamepad choice on Xbox, while PS5 uses the DualSense; PC users can choose from compatible gamepads and dedicated flight controls.
Why is keyboard-only flying difficult?
A keyboard cannot tell Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 how far you intend to move a control; it only detects a pressed or released key. The simulator may ramp some control movements, but there is still no physical proportional input or reliable tactile centre.
Holding a key for slightly too long can produce excessive bank, pitch or rudder. Pilots then apply the opposite key, overshoot again and start oscillating down the runway or around the approach path. Helicopters, taildraggers and crosswind landings make this limitation particularly obvious.
Compact keyboards introduce another problem because some common default assignments may expect a numeric keypad. Our reference to the essential MSFS 2024 keyboard bindings explains what the defaults do and how to work around missing keys.
How should you use a controller and keyboard together?
The best arrangement puts continuous aircraft movement on the controller and discrete cockpit functions on the keyboard.
- Create a custom control profile. Preserve the default preset as a fallback instead of replacing many assignments at once.
- Put primary axes on the controller. Assign pitch and roll to an analogue stick, then use available analogue controls for rudder, braking and throttle where practical.
- Put secondary commands on the keyboard. Use it for trim, landing gear, flaps, lights, autopilot functions, cameras and less common aircraft systems.
- Check for duplicate assignments. Two devices controlling the same axis can cause unwanted movement, especially when a joystick, throttle or second gamepad remains connected.
- Tune dead zones carefully. Add only enough dead zone to stop stick drift. An excessive dead zone removes the fine control needed during an approach.
- Test in a simple aircraft. Verify pitch, roll, rudder, throttle and brakes before starting a flight or Career Mode activity.
For the detailed profile process, sensitivity adjustments and essential assignments, use our step-by-step Xbox controller configuration. The same principles apply to other gamepads even when their button names differ.
Can you fly MSFS 2024 with only a keyboard?
Yes, but keyboard-only flying is best treated as a temporary or accessibility-driven setup rather than the preferred way to hand-fly. Tap control keys instead of holding them, trim early, and use the command that centres a control whenever the selected binding behaves incrementally.
Keyboard control is more manageable once an aircraft is established in cruise and the autopilot is engaged. It remains awkward during taxi, take-off, final approach and flare, where several small inputs may be required at once.
When is a joystick better than a controller?
A joystick is the better upgrade when precise hand-flying matters more than compact size and convenience. Its longer control travel makes small corrections easier, particularly for helicopters, aerobatics, formation flying and repeated manual landings.
A gamepad remains sufficient for casual flights, airliner operations dominated by autopilot and players who need one device for other games. Our gamepad-versus-joystick buying guidance explains when dedicated flight hardware provides a meaningful benefit.