What are the default keyboard controls in MSFS 2024?

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024’s default keyboard controls use the numeric keypad for pitch, roll and rudder, F1–F8 for throttle and flaps, G for landing gear, Ctrl+E for engine autostart and Esc for the pause menu. The active Keyboard preset in Controls Options is the final authority for every assignment.

Most-used default keyboard controls in MSFS 2024

The stock PC keyboard preset retains the familiar Flight Simulator commands for primary controls, power, flaps, brakes, aircraft systems and cameras. In the table, Num means a key on the numeric keypad; keys joined by a plus sign must be pressed together.

These are the practical core commands, not the entire preset. Other assignments cover lights, radios, mixture and propeller controls, individual engines, autopilot modes, cockpit interaction, checklists and additional cameras. Our printable desk-side MSFS keyboard command reference covers the wider command set.

Holding F2 after reaching idle can command reverse thrust on compatible aircraft. Esc opens the pause menu and is not the same as Active Pause, which can leave aircraft systems and parts of the simulation running.

Generic commands such as Ctrl+E, Z and lighting shortcuts may behave differently in aircraft with custom systems. An airliner can reject an autopilot command when its avionics or flight director are not configured, while some detailed aircraft do not support the simulator’s automatic start sequence completely.

Where can I see every MSFS 2024 keyboard binding?

The complete list is the active Keyboard preset inside Controls Options, where the keyboard diagram, filters and assignment search act as the built-in keyboard map.

1. Open Controls Options from the main menu or pause menu.
2. Select Keyboard rather than a gamepad, yoke, mouse or throttle device.
3. Check the active preset and choose the stock profile if you want factory assignments rather than customised or imported bindings.
4. Filter by Assigned to see commands that already have keyboard shortcuts. Switch to all commands when looking for an action that may be unbound.
5. Search by action using terms such as throttle, trim, flaps, brakes, gear, autopilot, camera or radio.
6. Search by input or inspect a key on the keyboard graphic to find every command assigned to it.

The controls screen is a setup reference, not a permanent labelled overlay over the cockpit. Verify any critical shortcut against the active in-simulator profile, especially after importing settings or changing hardware.

How do you fly MSFS 2024 with a keyboard?

You can fly Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 using only a keyboard, but the flight-control keys are digital switches rather than smooth analogue axes. Short taps and careful trimming work better than holding a direction key.

1. Check the number pad. Confirm that the simulator detects Num 2, 4, 6 and 8. Num Lock, laptop Fn layers and compact-keyboard layouts can change the input sent.
2. Choose a simple trainer. Begin on a runway in calm weather. A light piston aircraft is easier to control with digital inputs than an airliner or helicopter.
3. Start and release the brakes. Use Ctrl+E if the engine is off, then toggle the parking brake with Ctrl+Num ..
4. Add power gradually. Tap F3 instead of jumping straight to F4, using the rudder keys to remain near the centreline.
5. Make small corrections. Tap the elevator and aileron keys, use Num 5 to centre the ailerons and rudder, then trim with Num 1 or Num 7 rather than holding continuous pitch input.
6. Prepare for landing early. Reduce power with F2, extend flaps one stage at a time with F7, lower retractable gear with G, then hold Num . to brake after touchdown.

Keyboard controls are well suited to views, avionics, gear, flaps and secondary systems. For precise take-offs, approaches and landings, analogue input is easier; our comparison of keyboard and controller input explains which setup best suits different types of flying.

Why are my keyboard controls missing or not working?

A mismatched profile, missing numeric keypad or another device capturing the input explains most non-responsive or changed shortcuts.

• Wrong device page: the command search is open under a controller, yoke or throttle profile instead of Keyboard.
• Custom or migrated preset: previous edits or imported settings have replaced the stock assignments.
• Search filter: an Assigned-only or category filter is hiding the command you need.
• No dedicated number pad: many laptop and compact keyboards lack the keys used for pitch, roll, rudder and brakes.
• Num Lock or Fn mode: the keyboard may send navigation, media or brightness commands instead of numeric-pad or function-key inputs.
• Regional keyboard layout: punctuation and numeric-pad positions may not match a reference made for another layout.
• Text-entry focus: a search box, chat window, avionics field or electronic flight bag is receiving the keystroke instead of the aircraft.
• Conflicting hardware: a duplicate assignment, noisy axis or stuck switch on another connected device can cancel or repeatedly trigger a keyboard command.
• Aircraft state: autopilot, control locks or pre-flight restraints can make manual controls appear ineffective.
• Aircraft-specific logic: advanced aircraft may require cockpit switches or dedicated bindings for engines, avionics and automation.

If controls move without being pressed, inspect every connected device for duplicate assignments and stuck inputs. Our guide to diagnosing controls that activate by themselves covers the common keyboard, profile and controller faults.

Should I customise the default keyboard controls?

Customise the controls when your keyboard lacks a numeric keypad, essential commands use awkward combinations or another device creates a genuine conflict.

Duplicate the default preset before making changes so the original remains available. Assign only the controls you need, test them in a simple aircraft and search each new key for duplicate functions; our step-by-step keyboard binding and preset workflow explains the process.

How do I reset the keyboard controls to default?

Return to the stock Keyboard preset rather than rebuilding every factory command by hand.

1. Open Controls Options and select the Keyboard device.
2. Preserve useful edits by saving or duplicating the customised profile.
3. Open preset management and choose the original keyboard preset, or use the available reset command.
4. Apply and save the restored profile.
5. Test a simple aircraft before reconnecting other controllers or loading an aircraft with custom systems.

If the problem remains after restoring the preset, disconnect other input devices temporarily and test again. This separates a keyboard-profile fault from duplicate hardware input.

Are the default controls identical in every aircraft?

The global keyboard assignments remain available across aircraft, but each aircraft determines whether and how it responds to them.

• Fixed-gear aircraft ignore G because there is no retractable undercarriage.
• Simple trainers usually respond closely to stock flight-control, engine and autopilot events.
• Airliners and advanced add-ons may require cockpit switches or aircraft-specific bindings for custom avionics and automation.
• Multi-engine aircraft can require individual engine, mixture or propeller commands beyond the basic F1–F4 throttle controls.
• Helicopters and specialist aircraft need collective, rotor or mission-system controls not covered by the fixed-wing essentials above.

The table is therefore a practical starting set. The active Keyboard preset and the behaviour of the loaded aircraft are the final authorities for your installation.