How do I speed up time in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020?

To speed up time in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020, press R, then press Ctrl + Plus to raise the simulation rate one step. Repeat Ctrl + Plus for faster rates; use Ctrl + Minus to slow down. The simulator provides no clear built-in 1x-rate indicator.

How do I use the sim-rate keyboard shortcut?

The default PC sequence is to select the simulation rate with R and then increase or decrease it using the Ctrl shortcuts.

1. Stabilise the aircraft: engage the autopilot or establish straight-and-level flight before accelerating.
2. Press R once: this selects simulation-rate adjustment; it does not normally need to be held down.
3. Increase the rate: press Ctrl + Plus once for each faster step.
4. Decrease the rate: press Ctrl + Minus once for each slower step.

The numeric-keypad Plus and Minus keys are usually the least ambiguous. On compact keyboards, Plus may require Shift or an Fn combination. If that fails, assign your own keys in Controls Options rather than trying random combinations.

How do I return MSFS 2020 to normal 1x speed?

The reliable way to restore normal speed is to reduce the simulator to its minimum rate and then increase it by two steps.

1. Press R.
2. Press Ctrl + Minus repeatedly until the simulation no longer becomes slower.
3. Press Ctrl + Plus exactly twice. With the default rate steps, this returns the simulator from minimum speed to 1x.

If you are unsure, compare a cockpit clock with a real clock. At 1x rate, ten indicated seconds should take roughly ten real seconds. This avoids the common mistake of flying an approach at 2x or remaining at half speed without realising it.

Why is Ctrl + Plus not speeding up the simulator?

A changed keyboard profile, an unrecognised Plus key or failure to press R first causes most sim-rate shortcut problems.

• Check the active profile: select the Keyboard device in Controls Options, show all commands and search for sim rate. Confirm the displayed increase and decrease assignments.
• Try the numeric keypad: the top-row Plus key may be interpreted as Shift + Equals on some keyboard layouts.
• Look for conflicts: another command or utility may already use the same combination. Replace it with an unused shortcut.
• Press R again: there is no obvious visual indication that simulation-rate adjustment has been selected.
• Bind controller buttons if required: Xbox and gamepad users can create custom increase/decrease combinations when their active controller profile lacks convenient assignments.

Our default MSFS 2020 keyboard-control reference helps identify whether a profile has been altered. For a broader reference beside the controls screen, use the printable MSFS keyboard-command sheet.

Can I safely accelerate a long flight?

Time acceleration is safest during stable cruise at a modest rate, with the aircraft monitored throughout.

• Return to 1x before top of descent, major turns, altitude restrictions or weather avoidance.
• Watch airspeed, vertical speed, bank angle and autopilot behaviour after every rate increase.
• If the aircraft starts porpoising, overspeeding or wandering off course, reduce immediately to 1x before correcting it.
• Expect terrain loading and complex aircraft systems to become less reliable at high rates, especially when frame rate is already low.

Fuel consumption, clocks and aircraft systems normally advance in simulation time, so acceleration does not provide a fuel-free shortcut. Some complex add-on aircraft also limit the maximum rate or return automatically to 1x when their systems cannot keep up.

For a much larger skip, the stock Travel To feature may be available for the flight. It can place the aircraft at a later phase, but fuel, altitude and cockpit configuration should be checked carefully afterwards; complex add-ons may not tolerate the jump cleanly.

Does sim rate change the time of day?

No. Simulation rate makes the aircraft, clocks and systems run faster; it is different from moving the date-and-time control.

If the goal is simply to change darkness or daylight, adjust the time during flight setup or through the weather controls where the selected mode permits it. That moves the clock and lighting conditions but does not fly the aircraft farther along its route.