How do I use passenger cabin views in FSX?

To use a passenger cabin view in FSX or FSX: Steam Edition, load an aircraft that includes a modelled cabin, then press S to cycle camera categories and A to cycle views within each category. A supplied cabin camera may appear under Cockpit or Aircraft. If none appears, the aircraft probably lacks one.

How do I select an FSX cabin camera?

A cabin view is selected like any other FSX camera, but its name and category are decided by the aircraft developer.

1. Load the aircraft and switch to its Virtual Cockpit rather than the flat 2D panel.
2. Press S repeatedly to cycle through the camera categories.
3. Press A within each category to inspect its available views. Look for names such as Cabin, Passenger, Rear Cabin or a numbered seat or window view.
4. Pan and frame the view with a joystick hat switch or by holding the space bar and moving the mouse.

If the shortcuts have been reassigned, use the simulator's Views menu or inspect the camera commands in the Controls settings. Our breakdown of FSX cockpit and external camera controls covers the wider camera system.

Can I move backwards from the virtual cockpit?

You can move the virtual-cockpit eyepoint into the passenger area, but this works only when the aircraft's interior model extends behind the flight deck.

Tap the movement controls in short bursts. FSX does not provide reliable collision detection for the eyepoint, so it is easy to pass through a bulkhead, seat or fuselage wall. If you need help framing a window or seat position, use these FSX zoom and mouse-look controls.

Why is the passenger cabin view missing, black or empty?

A missing cabin view usually means the aircraft lacks either a cabin camera, a modelled passenger interior or both.

• No cabin geometry: many FSX aircraft model only the flight deck. Moving the eyepoint backwards may reveal empty space, the exterior shell or nothing at all.
• No predefined camera: the interior may exist even though the developer supplied no cabin entry in the camera list. Try moving aft manually from the Virtual Cockpit.
• The 2D cockpit is selected: eyepoint movement cannot turn a 2D panel into a three-dimensional cabin. Change to Virtual Cockpit first.
• Interior files are incomplete: missing model or texture files can produce black surfaces, invisible sections or a failed virtual cockpit. Follow our checks for a missing FSX virtual cockpit if the flight deck is also affected.
• Controls were remapped: check the camera and eyepoint assignments if S, A or the movement combinations do nothing.

Can I add a cabin view to any FSX aircraft?

You can add a camera position to an aircraft, but a camera definition cannot create a cabin that was never modelled.

If cabin geometry already exists, an experienced user can add an aircraft-specific [CameraDefinition.x] section to aircraft.cfg. Back up the file first, preserve the existing camera sections and use coordinates tailored to that aircraft; coordinates copied from another model commonly place the view outside the fuselage.

When no interior geometry exists, the practical solution is an aircraft add-on that includes a virtual passenger compartment or dedicated window views. An external wing camera may imitate a passenger's perspective, but it is not a physical cabin.

Will a cabin camera show passengers?

No. A cabin camera changes only the viewpoint; visible passengers must be built into the aircraft model or supplied by a compatible feature in that add-on.

Changing FSX payload values does not automatically populate seats with people. Some aircraft contain static passenger figures, while others deliberately provide an empty cabin. See what is required to display visible passengers in FSX before trying to solve this through camera settings.