Change camera views in FlightGear with V, Shift+V, mouse-look and zoom controls, and fix shortcuts that fail or show the wrong view.
Press V in FlightGear to cycle forward through the aircraft’s available cockpit and external camera views; press Shift+V to cycle backwards. For free-look, use the right mouse button to switch into view mode, then move the mouse. The exact sequence and mouse behaviour can vary by aircraft and FlightGear version.
What are the FlightGear camera controls?
With FlightGear’s standard bindings, the V key changes the camera, while X adjusts its zoom.
| Action | Default control |
|---|---|
| Next camera view | V |
| Previous camera view | Shift+V |
| Zoom in | X without Shift |
| Zoom out | Shift+X |
Repeatedly pressing V normally moves through cockpit, chase, aircraft and location-based views. The available names, number and order come partly from the active aircraft, so changing aircraft can produce a different sequence.
Zoom changes the field of view without selecting another camera. A mistake we see often is cycling through every view when the real problem is simply that the cockpit appears too close or an external view is too wide.
How do I look around with the mouse?
FlightGear’s traditional desktop mouse controls provide a view mode for looking left, right, up and down without changing cameras.
- Right-click inside the 3D view to cycle the mouse through its available modes.
- Stop at view mode, usually identified by a view or double-headed-arrow cursor.
- Move the mouse to turn your viewpoint.
- Right-click again until the normal pointer returns when you need to operate cockpit switches.
Be careful not to leave the mouse in the crosshair-style aircraft-control mode: moving it there can command the elevator and ailerons. Mouse-mode symbols and behaviour can differ between FlightGear builds, desktop environments and customised installations.
Why does V not change the camera view?
If V does nothing, the simulator usually lacks keyboard focus or the default binding has been changed.
- Click the 3D window first. A launcher panel, menu, dialogue or text field may be receiving the keystroke instead.
- Press V without Shift. Shift+V deliberately travels through the list in the opposite direction.
- Exit mouse-control mode. Return to the normal pointer so that you do not mistake an input-mode problem for a camera fault.
- Check the key assignment. Custom keyboard files, aircraft packages and operating-system shortcuts can override the normal command. Our reference to FlightGear keyboard controls and keybindings covers the default shortcuts and remapping checks.
- Try a standard aircraft. If views work there, the original aircraft probably has a limited or faulty view configuration rather than a global keyboard problem.
Can I select a cockpit or external view directly?
V and Shift+V are the dependable universal method, but some FlightGear builds and aircraft also expose named cameras through the in-simulator View menu.
Use that menu when you need a particular cockpit, chase or tower view without stepping through the entire list. Do not memorise a fixed number of V presses: an aircraft can add its own pilot positions, cabin cameras or external viewpoints, changing where each view appears in the sequence.
Is the camera view the same as the FlightGear map?
No. Camera controls only change how the 3D scene is displayed; they do not open a top-down navigation display or alter the aircraft’s position.
If you need airports, navigation aids, your route or an overhead position display, use the separate map functions described in our guide to FlightGear’s map and position tools.