How do I get a wing view in Microsoft Flight Simulator?

To get a wing view in Microsoft Flight Simulator, use the aircraft’s built-in fixed camera if it has one. Otherwise, switch to the drone camera, position it beside the wing and enable follow mode. A saved cockpit side-window view is repeatable, though camera limits may stop it reaching an airliner cabin.

Use an aircraft’s built-in fixed wing view first

A fixed camera is the quickest option because it is already attached to the aircraft. These views remain in position during flight and require no manual camera placement.

1. Open the camera controls. Use the in-flight Camera panel or the relevant camera command in your control profile.
2. Find the fixed camera presets. Look under the Showcase, fixed-camera or external preset group; the layout and wording differ between Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 and 2024.
3. Cycle through the available positions. Use the next and previous fixed-camera commands until you reach a wing, wingtip or passenger-window view.
4. Bind the commands if necessary. Search Controls Options for commands containing Fixed Camera rather than copying a keyboard shortcut that may belong to another version or profile.

Fixed views are defined by the aircraft developer. If the list contains no wing position, there is no hidden setting that will reveal one; create the view with the drone camera instead.

How do I make a wing view with the drone camera?

The drone camera provides the most flexible exterior wing view and works even when the aircraft has no suitable preset.

1. Enter the drone camera. Select it from the Camera interface or use the assigned Toggle Drone Camera command. The default MSFS 2020 keyboard profile commonly uses Insert, but MSFS 2024, consoles and customised profiles may differ.
2. Position the camera. Use the drone translation and rotation controls to move beside the fuselage, slightly above or behind the wing.
3. Adjust the framing. Change zoom rather than placing the lens extremely close to the model. Excessively close placement can make the wing disappear because of near-camera clipping.
4. Enable follow mode. Turn on Drone Follow Mode so the viewpoint travels with the aircraft. Target or lock controls may keep the aircraft framed, but they do not replace follow mode when the camera is being left behind.
5. Hide the interface. Close the Camera panel once the position is correct.

Our guide to positioning and controlling the MSFS drone camera covers movement, rotation and tracking in more detail.

Can I save a wing view?

A drone wing view normally has to be recreated, but a cockpit side-window position can be stored in a numbered custom-camera slot.

1. Remain in cockpit camera mode. Move the eyepoint towards the left or right window using the cockpit translation controls.
2. Set the view. Aim towards the wing and adjust zoom without pushing the camera through the window or fuselage.
3. Save a custom slot. Assign and use one of the Save Custom Camera commands, then recall it with the corresponding Load Custom Camera command.

This works particularly well in light aircraft where the wing is visible from the cockpit. Airliner cockpit-camera boundaries usually prevent movement into the passenger cabin, and some aircraft do not model a usable cabin interior. See our instructions for setting and recalling custom cockpit camera positions if you want a repeatable side-window view.

Which wing-view method should I use?

Choose the method according to whether speed, exact placement or repeatability matters most.

Why is the wing view missing or not following the aircraft?

Most wing-view problems come from aircraft-specific presets, the wrong camera mode or conflicting control assignments.

• No wing preset appears: that aircraft does not include one. Use the drone camera.
• The camera stays behind: enable drone follow mode after positioning it.
• The wing disappears: move the camera farther from the model and use zoom to restore the composition.
• A button opens the wrong camera: remove duplicate assignments and verify that the button is bound to the intended toggle. Our advice on diagnosing camera buttons that trigger the wrong action explains the usual binding conflicts.
• A saved view loads in the wrong place: custom cockpit positions are associated with an aircraft and camera slot; confirm that you loaded the matching slot in the same aircraft.

How do I return from a wing view to the cockpit?

Select Cockpit in the Camera interface or use the assigned cockpit/external or drone-camera toggle. Avoid relying on a remembered key if you changed profiles; MSFS 2024 users can follow these steps for switching back to the cockpit camera.