Learn how to set up a chase camera in any flight simulator, save the view, and fix drifting, snapping, clipping and control conflicts.
To set up a chase camera in a flight simulator, select an external follow, chase or spot view, place it behind and slightly above the aircraft, adjust its distance and zoom, then bind controls for toggling and resetting the view. Save the angle as a preset if supported.
For general flight simulation, the key distinction is between a tracking camera and an independent camera. A chase camera follows the aircraft; a drone, free or tower camera normally remains independent unless you enable a tracking or follow function.
How do I create a stable chase view?
A stable chase view comes from selecting a tracking mode first, then setting its position, field of view and motion effects in that order.
- Select a tracking view. Open the simulator's camera menu or control assignments and look for
Chase,Follow,External,SpotorLocked Spot. Avoid starting with a free, drone, tower or fixed observer camera. - Reset the camera. Use the reset or centre command before making adjustments. This removes any old translation, rotation or zoom that could leave the view offset.
- Set the viewing angle. Orbit behind the aircraft, raise the camera slightly and aim towards its centre. A direct rear view is useful for runway alignment; a rear-quarter view shows bank, rudder and control-surface movement more clearly.
- Balance distance and zoom. Moving the camera changes perspective, while zoom changes the field of view. Establish the physical distance first, then use moderate zoom to frame the aircraft. An extremely wide field of view exaggerates motion, while positioning the camera too close can make the tail or wings disappear through clipping.
- Adjust motion behaviour. Reduce camera inertia, momentum, shake or spring effects if the view lags or swings after a turn. If roll-follow is adjustable, use an aircraft-relative view when you want the aeroplane upright on screen, or a horizon-stabilised view when you want to see its true bank angle.
- Bind the essential controls. Assign camera toggle, reset, orbit, translate and zoom commands. We recommend searching for command names rather than copying somebody else's shortcut because keyboard and controller profiles differ.
- Test the full flight envelope. Make a steep turn, pitch up and down, lower the landing gear and check the view near the ground. This exposes excessive lag, model clipping and duplicate control assignments before they become a problem during an approach.
Which chase camera mode should I choose?
Choose Chase or Follow for normal flying, Spot for an orbitable tracked view, and Free or Drone only when you need an independently positioned camera.
| Camera label | How it behaves | Best use |
|---|---|---|
| Chase or Follow | Travels with the aircraft and usually retains a relative position behind it | Flying from an external view and following manoeuvres |
| Spot or Locked Spot | Keeps the aircraft in frame, with horizon and rotation behaviour determined by the simulator | Observation, screenshots and a more stable external view |
| Free or Drone | Moves independently unless a follow or target lock is enabled | Fly-bys and cinematic camera placement |
| Tower, runway or fixed | Stays at a world position while the aircraft passes | Take-off and landing observation, not chase flying |
In Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 and 2024, start with the built-in External camera rather than the independent Drone camera. Our explanation of MSFS external, drone and cockpit camera controls covers the mode selector, movement and zoom functions.
FSX uses Spot and Locked Spot views, and the difference becomes most apparent when the aircraft turns or banks. The practical shortcuts and view-cycling sequence are covered in our guide to FSX spot views and camera controls. Prepar3D follows a broadly similar camera model, although aircraft and add-ons can supply their own camera definitions.
X-Plane provides a dedicated chase command; use its control search rather than assuming a particular shortcut. DCS also has external and chase-style views, but a mission or multiplayer server can prohibit external cameras entirely. FlightGear includes a chase view, with bindings and framing that may vary by control profile and aircraft.
Why does the chase camera drift or stop following?
A chase camera drifts or loses the aircraft when the wrong camera mode is active, motion effects are too strong or camera commands conflict with flight controls.
- The aircraft flies away from the camera: switch from Free, Drone, Tower or Runway mode to Chase, Follow or Spot. If using a drone camera, enable its target-follow function where available.
- The camera swings after every turn: reduce momentum, inertia or spring effects. A locked tracking mode is usually steadier than a freely orbiting camera.
- Camera controls move the aircraft: remove duplicate axis assignments and make sure the camera is the active control context. This is common with controller sticks used for both looking and flying.
- The view snaps back unexpectedly: check whether camera reset shares a button with another command. Also check for a hardware switch repeatedly sending an input.
- The tail or wings disappear: the camera is crossing the model's clipping boundary. Move it farther away, then zoom in slightly to restore the same framing.
- No external view is available: check the mission, realism or server restrictions. Some combat scenarios deliberately disable outside cameras.
Can I save a chase camera preset?
You can save a chase camera preset only if the simulator or camera add-on supports reusable external positions.
Do not assume that custom-view slots accept external cameras simply because they save cockpit views. After storing the angle, switch back to the cockpit, reload it and restart the flight to confirm that the position really persists.
For repeatable external angles in MSFS 2024, our instructions for positioning, saving and binding ChasePlane camera views cover the dedicated add-on workflow. Without a save function, retain bindings for the tracking mode and camera reset so the view can be rebuilt quickly.
Test saved views separately on different aircraft. A position framed for a small trainer may sit inside the tail of an airliner because camera coordinates and model dimensions are not always transferred in the same way.