Find the default FS2004 keyboard commands for flight controls, engines, views, autopilot and ATC, plus fixes for keys that do not work.
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004 (FS9) uses P for pause, G for landing gear, F1–F4 for throttle, F5–F8 for flaps, Ctrl+E for engine auto-start, Z for the autopilot master, Q for sound, Y for slew mode and the numeric keypad for flight controls. Check or change them under Options > Controls > Assignments.
Which FS2004 keyboard shortcuts are most useful?
The following default FS2004 shortcuts cover the commands used most often during a normal flight.
| Category | Default keys | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Simulator | P | Pause or resume |
| Simulator | Q | Toggle sound |
| Simulator | Alt | Show the menu bar |
| Simulator | Alt+Enter | Switch between full-screen and windowed display |
| Simulator | R, then + or - | Increase or decrease the simulation rate |
| Simulator | Shift+Z | Cycle position, altitude and frame-rate information |
| Slew | Y | Enter or leave slew mode |
| Primary controls | Num 4 / Num 6 | Bank left or right |
| Primary controls | Num 8 / Num 2 | Elevator down or up |
| Primary controls | Num 0 / Num Enter | Rudder left or right |
| Primary controls | Num 5 | Centre the ailerons and rudder |
| Undercarriage | G | Raise or lower the landing gear |
| Brakes | . / Ctrl+. | Apply wheel brakes / toggle the parking brake |
| Flaps | F5 / F6 / F7 / F8 | Retract fully / retract one stage / extend one stage / extend fully |
| Spoilers | / / Shift+/ | Toggle spoilers / arm spoilers |
| Throttle | F1 / F2 / F3 / F4 | Idle / decrease / increase / full power. Holding F2 beyond idle commands reverse thrust on equipped aircraft. |
| Engine | Ctrl+E | Automatic engine start |
| Propeller | Ctrl+F1 through Ctrl+F4 | Minimum, decrease, increase or maximum propeller RPM |
| Mixture | Ctrl+Shift+F1 through Ctrl+Shift+F4 | Idle cut-off, leaner, richer or full rich |
| Autopilot | Z | Toggle the autopilot master |
| Autopilot | Ctrl+H / Ctrl+Z | Toggle heading hold / altitude hold |
| Autopilot | Ctrl+R / Ctrl+A | Toggle airspeed hold / approach hold |
| Views | S / W | Cycle view types / cycle the cockpit-panel presentation |
| Panels | Shift+1 through Shift+9 | Toggle panel windows defined by the aircraft |
| ATC | `, then a number key | Open the ATC window and choose a numbered response |
| Lights | L / Ctrl+L | Toggle all aircraft lights / toggle landing lights |
| Doors | Shift+E | Open or close the main aircraft exit |
Autopilot, lighting, panel and door commands depend on what the aircraft model supports. A basic aircraft may not have every mode, while an add-on can use custom gauges or additional exit commands.
Where can I get the complete FS2004 command list?
Our complete printable FS2004 shortcut reference covers the less frequently used radio, autopilot, view, slew and multiplayer assignments as well as the core flying controls above.
FS2004 separates commands by context, so the same physical key can behave differently during normal flight, in slew mode or while a menu is active. The accent key opens the default ATC menu; the numbered choices and radio procedure are covered in our guide to using Microsoft Flight Simulator ATC.
Why are my FS2004 keyboard commands not working?
A non-responsive shortcut is usually caused by Num Lock, keyboard focus, a laptop function layer or a changed assignment rather than a simulator fault.
- Numeric keypad controls: start with Num Lock off. If the keypad moves the view rather than the controls, toggle Num Lock and test it again in the cockpit. The top-row number keys are not substitutes for
Num 2,Num 4and the other keypad commands. - Laptops without a separate keypad: an embedded keypad may require the
Fnkey, and some laptops do not pass those combinations to FS2004 reliably. Reassign the commands to unused keys if necessary. - Function keys control volume or brightness: use the laptop’s
Fnmodifier or change its function-key mode so FS2004 receivesF1–F12. - A menu or gauge has focus: close open dialogue boxes and click the main simulator window before retrying the command.
- The ATC key is in a different position:
`refers to the grave-accent key on the default layout. Its physical position or required modifier can differ on non-US keyboards. - An add-on ignores the shortcut: complex aircraft sometimes implement systems through custom gauges. Use the cockpit control when the standard FS2004 event has no effect.
How do I change or restore the default keyboard controls?
FS2004 keyboard assignments can be edited or returned to their defaults from the controls assignment dialogue.
- Open the assignments: choose
Options > Controls > Assignments. - Find the simulator event: select the relevant command category and locate the action, such as landing gear, brakes or autopilot master.
- Assign the new key: select the action, enter the replacement combination and check for an unwanted conflict.
- Restore defaults if required: use the defaults or reset control in that dialogue. This can remove personalised bindings, so record any custom assignments first.
Do not delete the main FS2004 configuration file merely to repair one shortcut. That resets unrelated display, sound and realism settings as well; resetting the affected control assignment is the safer first step.