What are the default keyboard shortcuts in Prepar3D?

Prepar3D’s default keyboard shortcuts cover flight controls, engines, views, radios and simulator functions. The essentials are P to pause, G for landing gear, F1–F4 for throttle, F5–F8 for flaps, L for lights, Z for autopilot and Y for slew mode. Exact assignments can vary by Prepar3D version and saved control profile.

Prepar3D default keyboard shortcuts at a glance

The stock Prepar3D keyboard profile uses the following core assignments. These are simulator-level commands; individual aircraft can limit or override what they do.

Simulator and ground commands

Flight controls, brakes and high-lift devices

Turn Num Lock off before using the numeric keypad for primary flight controls.

Engine and throttle commands

Autopilot commands

An autopilot shortcut sends a command; it does not guarantee that the mode will engage. The aircraft must have the corresponding system, satisfy its engagement conditions and permit standard simulator events.

Views, lights and radios

How do I view or change keyboard assignments in Prepar3D?

The definitive list for your installation is the keyboard assignment page inside Prepar3D, because saved profiles and add-ons can change the defaults.

1. Open Controls: pause the simulation if necessary, open Options, then select Controls.
2. Select the keyboard: choose the keyboard device or keyboard assignments page if your Prepar3D release separates devices.
3. Find the command: search by the event name, or inspect the complete assignment list. Clear category filters if the expected command is missing.
4. Assign the key: select the event, enter the new key or combination and check for a reported conflict.
5. Preserve your changes: save the control profile, or use the profile export facility if your release provides one.

Use any restore-defaults command carefully. It can remove custom keyboard bindings and controller-axis assignments, not just repair one missing shortcut.

Why do Prepar3D keyboard shortcuts sometimes not work?

Most failed shortcuts come from keypad mode, keyboard focus, conflicting assignments or aircraft-specific system logic.

• Num Lock is on: switch it off for the numeric flight-control commands.
• A window has keyboard focus: close or refocus an ATC window, gauge pop-up, search box or text field before retrying the command.
• The laptop uses media keys: hold Fn, or change the keyboard’s function-key mode, when F1–F12 adjust volume or screen brightness instead.
• Two events share one key: inspect the controls page and remove the unwanted duplicate assignment.
• Slew mode is active: press Y to leave slew mode if the normal flight controls appear to have stopped working.
• The aircraft does not support the event: a shortcut for autothrottle, carburettor heat or a 2-D panel has no useful effect when that system is absent.

Are Prepar3D and FSX keyboard controls the same?

Prepar3D retains much of FSX’s control heritage, so many stock keyboard commands are identical, but the two lists are not guaranteed to match every release or profile. Our printable reference for the wider FSX-derived command set covers many less frequently used radio, view, engine and slew controls; verify them against Prepar3D’s own assignment screen before relying on them.

Do add-on aircraft use the same Prepar3D commands?

Add-on aircraft usually accept basic simulator commands, but advanced systems may intercept or ignore standard shortcuts. A detailed airliner might require its cockpit controls for engine starting, autopilot modes or lighting rather than responding fully to Ctrl+E, Z or L.

Keep the supplied manual for aircraft and utilities obtained from our Prepar3D aircraft, scenery and utility library. Packages that install custom keyboard events should document their assignments, and those bindings may not appear among the original Prepar3D defaults.