What are the default keyboard controls in MSFS 2024?

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 stores its default keyboard controls in the Keyboard preset under Controls Options. Essential commands include Esc for the pause menu, Ctrl+E for automatic engine start, G for gear, F1–F4 for throttle, B for barometric setting and Z for autopilot master; filter the preset to Assigned for the complete list.

Most-used default keyboard controls in MSFS 2024

The stock PC keyboard profile retains the familiar Flight Simulator commands for primary controls, power, flaps, brakes, landing gear and common aircraft systems.

These are the headline MSFS 2024 keyboard commands, not the entire preset. Commands also exist for radios, lights, propeller and mixture control, individual engines, autopilot modes, cockpit interaction, cameras and checklist functions.

Esc is not the same command as Active Pause. The pause menu stops normal interaction, while Active Pause can leave aircraft systems and some simulation logic running. Likewise, Ctrl+E, Z and generic lighting commands may not work normally in aircraft with custom system logic.

How do you fly Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 with a keyboard?

You can fly MSFS 2024 using only a keyboard, but the primary flight-control keys are digital switches rather than smooth analogue axes. Short taps and careful trimming produce better results than holding a key down.

1. Check the number pad. Confirm that MSFS recognises Numpad 2, 4, 6 and 8 in Controls Options. Laptop Fn layers and Num Lock behaviour can change the signal sent by a compact keyboard.
2. Start with a simple trainer. Load on a runway with calm weather while learning. A light piston aircraft responds more predictably to 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+Numpad Decimal.
4. Add power gradually. Tap F3 rather than jumping straight to F4. Use the rudder keys to stay near the runway centreline.
5. Use small control inputs. Tap the elevator and aileron keys, centre the lateral controls with Numpad 5, and use Numpad 1 or Numpad 7 to trim away continuous pitch pressure.
6. Configure for landing early. Reduce power with F2, extend flaps one stage at a time with F7, lower retractable gear with G, then hold Numpad Decimal for wheel braking after touchdown.

If your keyboard has no dedicated number pad, remap the primary flight controls rather than relying on awkward operating-system key combinations. Create a separate profile first so the original preset remains available.

Where is the full MSFS 2024 keyboard controls list and overlay?

The complete and authoritative list is the active Keyboard preset inside Controls Options; its keyboard diagram and assignment search serve as the built-in MSFS 2024 keyboard overlay.

1. Open Controls Options from the main menu or the pause menu.
2. Select Keyboard rather than a gamepad, yoke, mouse or throttle device.
3. Check the active preset and switch to the stock profile if you want the defaults rather than your custom assignments.
4. Set the filter to Assigned to hide commands that have no keyboard binding.
5. Search by command using terms such as throttle, trim, flaps, brakes, gear, autopilot, camera or radio.
6. Inspect a physical key with the keyboard graphic or input-search function to see every command attached to it.

The controls screen is a setup reference rather than a permanent labelled overlay over the cockpit. For a paper or second-screen version, use our printable MSFS keyboard-command reference, but verify any critical assignment against the active in-simulator profile.

Why do my MSFS 2024 keyboard controls not match the defaults?

A mismatched profile, the wrong device page or a duplicate assignment usually explains why a default key is missing or behaves differently.

• Wrong input device: the search is being performed under a controller, yoke or throttle profile instead of Keyboard.
• Custom or migrated profile: previous edits or settings brought across from another installation have replaced the stock assignments.
• Search filter: an Assigned-only filter hides commands that are no longer bound, while category filters can hide valid results elsewhere.
• Regional keyboard layout: punctuation and number-pad keys may not correspond to a chart produced for another physical layout.
• Laptop function mode: the operating system may treat F1–F12 as media or brightness controls unless an Fn key or function-lock setting is used.
• Text-entry focus: keys will type into a search, chat or avionics field instead of controlling the aircraft until that field loses focus.
• Duplicate hardware binding: a noisy axis or switch on another connected device can counteract a keyboard command.
• Aircraft-specific systems: advanced aircraft may process autopilot, engine and avionics commands through their own logic.

When inputs move without being pressed, check every connected device for duplicate assignments and stuck buttons. Our guide to diagnosing controls that trigger by themselves covers the usual device, profile and keyboard faults.

How do I reset keyboard controls to default?

Switching back to the stock Keyboard preset is the safest way to restore the default Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 keyboard controls.

1. Open Controls Options and select the Keyboard device.
2. Preserve useful changes by saving or duplicating your custom profile before resetting anything.
3. Open preset management and select the original keyboard preset, or use the available reset command.
4. Apply and save the selected profile.
5. Test a simple aircraft in free flight before reconnecting other controllers or loading an aircraft with custom systems.

If switching presets does not clear the problem, follow our safe procedure for resetting or clearing controller bindings. Avoid rebuilding every command by hand until you have ruled out the wrong profile and duplicate hardware inputs.

Are the default controls identical in every aircraft?

The global keyboard assignments remain available across aircraft, but each aircraft decides whether and how it responds to those simulator commands.

• Fixed-gear aircraft ignore G because there is no retractable gear to operate.
• Simple trainers usually respond closely to the stock engine, flight-control 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 need individual engine, mixture or propeller commands beyond the basic F1–F4 throttle controls.
• Helicopters and specialist aircraft require controls such as collective, rotor functions or mission equipment that are not covered by the fixed-wing essentials above.

For that reason, the active Keyboard preset under the Assigned filter is the final authority for your installation. The table above is the practical starting set; the in-simulator assignment list shows the complete controls available to your chosen aircraft and profile.