There is no true padlock view in FSX. Learn how Locked Spot, Air Traffic, Ctrl+Q, mouse-look and hat-switch controls work instead.
FSX and FSX: Steam Edition do not include a true cockpit padlock view that locks your sight onto a selected aircraft. Use Locked Spot to keep your own aircraft centred externally, Air Traffic view to watch AI traffic, or mouse-look and a joystick hat switch to follow traffic manually from the virtual cockpit.
Why doesn’t Ctrl+Q activate padlock view?
Ctrl+Q does not activate a target padlock; by default, it is assigned to View track/pan toggle. On a camera that supports the command, it switches between automatically tracking that camera’s existing subject and allowing manual panning.
It does not select another aircraft, cycle through traffic or make the cockpit camera follow a target. This causes confusion because “track” sounds like target tracking. Installing FSX Acceleration does not add combat-simulator-style padlock behaviour, and FSX: Steam Edition retains the same basic camera system.
If Ctrl+Q produces no visible change, the active camera may not support both modes, or the command may have been reassigned. Follow our instructions for checking and changing FSX keyboard assignments to confirm which key controls View track/pan toggle.
Choosing the closest stock FSX alternative
The correct replacement depends on which aircraft you want the camera to follow and whether you need to remain inside the cockpit.
| What you want to do | Best FSX option | Limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Keep your own aircraft centred in an outside view | Locked Spot | It follows only your aircraft and places the camera outside |
| Watch an AI-controlled aircraft | Air Traffic view | It shows the traffic aircraft externally rather than from your cockpit |
| Look towards traffic from the virtual cockpit | Mouse-look or joystick hat switch | You must locate and follow the aircraft manually |
The word Locked in Locked Spot refers to the camera’s position relative to your own aeroplane. It does not mean that your view is locked onto another aircraft.
How do I use Locked Spot view?
Press F11 under the default controls to switch directly to Locked Spot view.
- Use the menu if necessary. Press and release
Altto reveal the menu bar, then chooseViews > View Mode > Outside > Locked Spot. - Cycle views from the keyboard. Press
Sto move through camera categories andAto cycle cameras within the selected category. UseShift+SandShift+Ato cycle backwards. - Change the viewing angle. Use your hat switch or assigned pan controls while Locked Spot keeps your aircraft as the subject.
- Adjust the framing. Use the assigned zoom-in and zoom-out controls rather than moving to a different camera.
On keyboards where the function row controls media or system features, F11 may require the Fn key. If the shortcut still fails, use the menu and check the assignment. Some missions can also restrict the cameras available; test the shortcut in Free Flight if it fails only during one mission.
Our explanation of FSX cockpit and outside camera views covers the category system in more detail. If the aircraft appears too close or too distant after switching, use the FSX cockpit and outside-view zoom controls to correct the framing.
How do I follow another aircraft in FSX?
Use the Air Traffic camera to make an available AI aircraft the subject of an external view.
- Open the Views menu and select the Air Traffic view category.
- Choose a listed aircraft from the traffic entries presented by FSX.
- Select another entry when you want to change the aircraft being watched.
If the Air Traffic list is empty, FSX may have no eligible AI aircraft within the active area. Check that airline or general aviation traffic is enabled, try a busier airport, and allow time for traffic to spawn. An aircraft can also disappear from the list when FSX removes it from the active traffic area.
Air Traffic view follows the selected AI aircraft itself. It cannot keep your own cockpit visible while automatically turning your head towards that traffic.
Can the virtual cockpit lock onto a target?
No stock FSX virtual-cockpit command can select an aircraft and keep your view pointed towards it.
Hold Spacebar and move the mouse for mouse-look, or use a joystick hat switch to scan and follow the aircraft manually. A wider zoom setting can make traffic easier to retain in sight, although excessive zooming out distorts the cockpit perspective. Our guide to FSX virtual-cockpit viewing controls explains mouse-look, panning and eyepoint movement.
Head-tracking hardware can make scanning more natural, but it follows your head movement rather than an aircraft target. Editing camera definitions can add or reposition viewpoints, yet it cannot add target-selection logic. True padlock behaviour requires an add-on that explicitly provides aircraft targeting and view tracking.