How do I save and use custom cockpit camera views in MSFS?

In Microsoft Flight Simulator, switch to the normal cockpit camera, position the eyepoint and zoom, then use Save Custom Camera for a numbered slot. On common keyboard profiles, press Ctrl + Alt + 0–9 to save and Alt + the same number to recall it; verify the bindings in your active profile.

How to save a custom cockpit camera view in MSFS

Set up the internal view exactly as you want it, save it to one of the ten custom slots, then move elsewhere and load the slot to confirm that it worked.

1. Return to the normal cockpit camera: Exit the drone, showcase or external camera before saving. Custom cockpit slots are intended for internal aircraft views.
2. Move the eyepoint: Use the cockpit translation controls to move left, right, up, down, forwards or backwards. This changes your virtual seat position rather than merely turning your head. Our explanation of cockpit translation and moving to cabin or jump-seat positions covers the controls used here.
3. Set the direction and zoom: Pan towards the panel, window or instrument you need and choose a comfortable zoom level. Position, viewing direction and zoom form the saved view.
4. Save a numbered slot: Use Save Custom Camera 0 through Save Custom Camera 9. The common keyboard shortcut is Ctrl + Alt + the chosen number.
5. Test the saved view: Move the camera somewhere obviously different, then use the matching Load Custom Camera command. On common profiles, that is Alt + the same number. If the camera snaps back, the slot was stored correctly.

A custom camera saves the viewpoint, not the aircraft's panel state, switch positions, open instrument windows or autopilot configuration.

What shortcut saves custom camera views?

The usual desktop-keyboard defaults are Ctrl + Alt + 0–9 to save and Alt + 0–9 to load, although profiles and user bindings can differ.

Open the simulator's controls settings, select the keyboard or controller profile you are actually using, set the filter to show all commands, and search for Save Custom Camera or Load Custom Camera. The individual slots may appear as separate commands such as Save Custom Camera 3.

Use the top number row when testing the usual keyboard shortcuts. The number row and numpad are separate inputs, and laptop function layers can change what the simulator receives. Our camera and keyboard command reference provides a convenient list of the common defaults.

With a gamepad, yoke or HOTAS, assign the same save and load commands to spare buttons or button combinations. Do not assume the keyboard assignment is also present on another device profile.

How do I switch to cockpit view in Microsoft Flight Simulator?

Use the bound Toggle Cockpit/External View command; if the drone is active, turn the drone off first.

• From an external or chase view: The End key toggles cockpit and external views on many standard keyboard profiles.
• From the drone camera: Exit the drone first; Insert is a common default. Then switch to the cockpit camera.
• If the cockpit viewpoint is misplaced: Use Reset Cockpit View, commonly Ctrl + Space, to return to the default pilot position.
• If none of those keys works: Search the active controls profile for cockpit, external, drone and reset cockpit view rather than relying on a default key.

If MSFS 2024 starts a flight with the viewpoint outside the aircraft, exit any free-camera mode and reset the cockpit view before creating or overwriting custom slots.

MSFS 2024: how do I save a camera view?

MSFS 2024 uses the same basic method: position the internal cockpit camera, run the save command for a numbered slot, and use the corresponding load command to recall it.

The main source of confusion is the controls profile, especially after changing presets or moving between keyboard and controller layouts. Search for the command names instead of assuming that an MSFS 2020 shortcut was carried into MSFS 2024 unchanged.

Saved camera data and control bindings are separate. Changing a keyboard preset can make a view appear to be missing when the view still exists but its load command is no longer assigned.

Do custom cockpit views stay saved for each aircraft?

Custom cockpit views normally persist between flights and simulator restarts, and they should be treated as aircraft-specific presets.

A slot that frames the primary flight display in one aircraft will not provide the same eyepoint in another. Closely related variants may also use different camera definitions. Aircraft updates can alter the camera reference point, so an older preset may need to be positioned and saved again if it suddenly appears shifted.

Custom cockpit views, quickviews and the drone camera

Choose a custom cockpit view for repeatable flight-deck positions; use quickviews for brief glances and the drone for a free-moving camera outside the pilot eyepoint.

A mistake we see often is arranging a drone shot and then trying to store it as a cockpit preset. Keep those camera systems separate; our guide to controlling the MSFS drone camera explains how its movement differs.

Why does nothing happen when I save or load a view?

If nothing happens — non succede niente — first remember that saving does not move the camera, so it may produce no obvious visual change. Move away from the position and load the same slot before deciding that the save failed.

The simulator is in the wrong camera mode

Return to the internal cockpit camera. Drone, showcase and external views do not behave like saved cockpit-camera slots.

The command is missing from the active profile

Check the profile for the device generating the input. A command assigned under Keyboard does not automatically exist under a controller, yoke or HOTAS profile. Set the controls filter to show all commands if your search returns no results.

The wrong number keys are being used

Test the top number row rather than the numpad. On compact keyboards, also check the function layer and try a newly assigned shortcut without operating-system or accessibility key combinations.

Another camera command has the same input

Search by input and remove duplicate assignments, particularly quickview, drone and cockpit-translation commands. If a profile has become tangled or corrupted, follow our instructions for clearing or resetting controller bindings; resetting a profile removes its custom assignments, so use that after checking individual conflicts.

The old view loads instead of the new one

Save the slot again while holding the full modifier combination, then perform the move-and-load test. Loading an old position means the save input did not register or you saved a different numbered slot.

The viewpoint moves after it loads

Head tracking and VR can add live head movement on top of the saved base position. Pause or recentre tracking while testing the slot, then re-enable it once the underlying camera is correct.

It fails only in one aircraft

Repeat the same save-and-load sequence in a default aircraft. If it works there, inspect the affected aircraft's camera behaviour or resave its slots rather than rebuilding every global control assignment.

A practical custom-camera slot layout

A consistent, task-based slot scheme makes the views easier to remember across aircraft, even though the actual positions are saved separately.

• Slot 0 — normal pilot view: A neutral position for taxi, take-off and cruise.
• Slot 1 — landing view: Adjusted to preserve the runway sightline without excessive zoom.
• Slot 2 — primary instruments: The PFD, six-pack or main engine instruments.
• Slot 3 — GPS or FMS: Close enough to read and operate comfortably.
• Slot 4 — overhead panel: Useful in airliners, turboprops and other complex aircraft.
• Slot 5 — pedestal or radio stack: For radios, engine controls and autopilot work.

Keep one neutral pilot view available as a recovery position. Test landing and instrument views during taxi and approach rather than only while parked, because a camera position that looks comfortable at the gate may obstruct the runway or hide critical instruments in flight.