Use free camera in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 and 2024: move, rotate, follow aircraft, change speed, exit, and fix missing controls.
In Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 and 2024, free camera mode is the Drone Camera. With the default keyboard profile, press Insert, move with W/A/S/D, climb or descend with R/F, and hold the right mouse button to look around. Adjust drone speed as required, then press Insert again to exit.
How to use free camera in MSFS 2020 and 2024
- Enter Drone Camera: press
Insertusing the default keyboard profile. You can also select the drone or free camera through the in-flight camera menu; its placement and wording differ slightly between MSFS 2020 and 2024. - Move horizontally: use
WandSto move forwards and backwards, withAandDfor left and right. - Change altitude: use
Rto move upwards andFto move downwards. - Rotate the view: hold the right mouse button and move the mouse. The default profile also provides separate drone pitch, yaw and roll commands, commonly assigned to the numeric keypad.
- Set the movement speed: use the assigned Increase and Decrease Drone Translation Speed commands. A slow setting is best near the cockpit or terminal; increase it before crossing an airport or positioning a distant shot.
- Leave free camera: press
Insertagain. If a customised profile does not restore the previous view, select Cockpit or External Camera from the camera menu.
The default assignments can change when profiles are imported or customised. Our MSFS 2020 default-key map and MSFS 2024 default-key map show the corresponding shortcuts for each version.
What is the difference between free look and free camera?
Free look rotates your viewpoint from its existing position, while Drone Camera detaches the viewpoint so it can move independently in any direction.
- Cockpit free look: turns the pilot’s head but remains inside the aircraft.
- External camera: stays attached to and follows the aircraft.
- Drone or free camera: can remain stationary, fly around the aircraft or move anywhere in the scene.
- Walkaround camera in MSFS 2024: represents movement on foot and is not the unrestricted drone camera.
For the control differences beyond free camera, see our camera-mode breakdown covering cockpit, external, drone and walkaround views.
How do I make the free camera follow or orbit the aircraft?
Drone Follow and Drone Lock determine whether the camera travels with the aircraft or keeps looking towards it. Search the Controls screen for those action names because their shortcuts can vary between profiles.
- Stationary fly-by: turn Follow off, position the drone beside the flight path and let the aircraft pass through the frame.
- Chase shot: turn Follow on so the camera is carried along with the aircraft.
- Orbiting shot: turn Lock on to keep the lens aimed at the aircraft, then translate the drone sideways around it.
The aircraft continues flying while you arrange the camera. Engage the autopilot or pause where appropriate before spending time composing a shot.
How do I use free camera with a controller?
Free camera works with a gamepad, but the layout depends on the simulator version, platform and selected controller preset. Open Controls, set the filter to All, then search for Drone or Free Camera.
For a custom profile, we suggest assigning planar movement to the left stick, rotation to the right stick, vertical movement to triggers or shoulder buttons, and translation-speed adjustment to a spare button pair. Keep these assignments in a separate camera profile if they conflict with flight controls.
Why is free camera not working?
| Problem | Likely fix |
|---|---|
Insert does nothing | Check whether the laptop requires an Fn combination, then search Controls for Toggle Drone Camera and assign it manually. |
| Controls cannot be found | Change the Controls filter from Assigned to All and search by action name rather than by key. |
| W/A/S/D does not move the camera | Confirm Drone Camera is active and check that the translation actions are assigned in the active keyboard profile. |
| The camera is extremely slow or uncontrollably fast | Adjust Drone Translation Speed rather than simulation rate or aircraft controls. |
| Numeric keypad rotation does nothing | Check Num Lock or bind Drone Pitch and Drone Yaw elsewhere; compact keyboards often lack usable keypad assignments. |
| The camera appears tethered to the aircraft | Disable Drone Follow Mode. Disable Drone Lock as well if the view keeps turning towards the aircraft. |
| Inputs operate both camera and aircraft | Remove duplicate assignments or create a dedicated camera control profile. |