Essential FSX keyboard shortcuts for engines, throttle, brakes, flaps, gear, autopilot, ATC, views and slew, plus Steam Edition fixes.
The most useful Microsoft Flight Simulator X (FSX) keyboard shortcuts are P to pause, Ctrl+E to auto-start engines, F1–F4 for throttle, G for landing gear, F5–F8 for flaps, . and Ctrl+. for brakes, Z for autopilot, Scroll Lock for ATC, S/A for views and Y for slew. FSX: Steam Edition uses the same stock defaults.
FSX keyboard shortcut cheat sheet
These are the Microsoft Flight Simulator X controls used most often during an ordinary flight. For radio tuning, individual engines, specialised views and other less frequent commands, keep our complete printable FSX command reference nearby.
| Function | Default keyboard shortcut | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Pause | P | Pauses or resumes the simulation. |
| Flight information | Shift+Z | Cycles the red information text, including coordinates, altitude and frame rate. |
| Simulation rate | R, then + or - | Changes simulation speed. Check that it is back at 1× before an approach. |
| Automatic engine start | Ctrl+E | Runs the automatic start sequence on default aircraft and add-ons that accept standard FSX events. |
| Throttle | F1 to F4 | F1 closes the throttle, F2 decreases it, F3 increases it and F4 applies full power to the selected engine or engines. Hold F2 at idle for reverse thrust where supported. |
| Landing gear | G | Raises or lowers retractable landing gear. |
| Flaps | F5 to F8 | F5 retracts fully, F6 retracts one stage, F7 extends one stage and F8 extends fully. |
| Wheel brakes | . | Applies the brakes while held. |
| Parking brake | Ctrl+. | Toggles the parking brake. |
| Pushback | Shift+P | Starts or stops pushback. Once moving, use the top-row 1 or 2 key to request a turn. |
| Spoilers | / | Toggles spoilers. Shift+/ arms them on aircraft that support spoiler arming. |
| Aircraft lights | L | Toggles the aircraft lights together. Ctrl+L controls the landing lights separately. |
| Altimeter setting | B | Sets the altimeter to the simulator's local pressure setting. |
| View category | S | Cycles cockpit, outside, tower and aircraft view categories. |
| View within category | A | Cycles the available positions within the selected category. |
| Cockpit panel mode | W | Cycles the cockpit panel display modes. |
| Direct view selection | F9 to F12 | Selects virtual cockpit, 2D cockpit, locked spot and top-down views respectively. |
| Mouse look and zoom | Space plus mouse; =/- | Looks around with the mouse and changes view zoom. |
| ATC window | Scroll Lock | Opens or closes the default air traffic control menu. Use the displayed top-row number key to choose a response. |
| Autopilot master | Z | Engages or disengages the aircraft's autopilot master switch. |
| Slew mode | Y | Enters or leaves slew mode, allowing the aircraft to move without normal flight physics. |
| Full-screen mode | Alt+Enter | Switches between windowed and full-screen display. |
A plus sign means that the keys are held together: for Ctrl+E, hold Ctrl while pressing E. A comma indicates a sequence, so simulation rate uses R first and then + or -.
How do I fly FSX with the keyboard only?
Turn Num Lock off, then use the numeric keypad for basic pitch, roll and rudder control. Keyboard inputs are stepped rather than smoothly proportional, so make short taps and watch the attitude indicator rather than holding a key down.
Num 4/Num 6: aileron left/rightNum 8/Num 2: elevator down/up, moving the nose down/upNum 0/Num Enter: rudder left/rightNum 5: centre the ailerons and rudderNum 7/Num 1: elevator trim down/up
If the aircraft keeps banking after the key is released, press Num 5. Unlike a spring-centred joystick or yoke, a keyboard command can leave the simulated controls deflected.
A keyboard is adequate for discrete actions such as gear, flaps, brakes and autopilot modes. A joystick, yoke or gamepad is the better choice for continuous pitch and roll inputs. Laptop users without a dedicated keypad should reassign those controls rather than rely on an awkward Fn layer; our guide to flying FSX without a joystick explains the practical options.
What do the FSX autopilot keyboard controls actually do?
FSX autopilot shortcuts toggle individual modes; they do not enter the target heading, altitude, speed or approach course for you. Set the required value on the aircraft's panel before engaging its corresponding mode.
Z: autopilot masterCtrl+H: heading holdCtrl+Z: altitude holdCtrl+N: NAV holdCtrl+A: approach holdCtrl+R: airspeed hold, where implemented
Approach hold also requires the correct navigation source, tuned frequency and intercept geometry. Pressing Ctrl+A by itself does not create an automatic landing.
Complex add-on aircraft may replace the default autopilot and engine logic, causing commands such as Ctrl+E, Ctrl+A or Z to be ignored. Use the cockpit controls and the aircraft's own procedures in that case. Be ready to take control and re-trim when disconnecting the autopilot because it may have moved the elevator trim during flight.
Why are my FSX keyboard shortcuts not working?
A failed FSX keyboard shortcut usually comes from lost keyboard focus, a changed assignment, Num Lock, a laptop function layer or an add-on that bypasses the default command. Reinstalling the simulator should not be the first response.
For readers asking «что мне делать?» (“what should I do?”), run these checks in order:
- Return focus to FSX. Close the ATC window with
Scroll Lock, dismiss open dialogues withEsc, close any Steam overlay and click inside the simulator window. Menus and overlays can capture keys before FSX receives them. - Check the simulator state. Look for a paused or slew indication. Press
Pto resume if paused; pressYonly when slew mode is active. Accidental slew activation is why an aircraft sometimes appears frozen, floats sideways or ignores normal flight controls. - Check Num Lock and the function row. Num Lock must normally be off for numeric-keypad flight controls. On compact keyboards, the
F1–F12keys may requireFnor an Fn-lock setting because the computer otherwise treats them as volume or brightness controls. - Inspect the assignment by command name. Non-UK and non-US layouts may place
/,.,-and=on different physical keys. Check which key is assigned to Parking Brakes, Spoilers or Zoom rather than assuming the printed symbol will match. - Test a default aircraft. If the shortcut works in a stock Cessna or Boeing but not in a complex add-on, the add-on is using custom systems. The correct fix is usually its cockpit control or documented key assignment, not an FSX reinstall.
- Reset controls only as a last resort. Use Reset Defaults when many assignments are missing or corrupted, not to repair one key. If FSX asks for confirmation, select Yes only after accepting that customised assignments may be lost.
Can I change the default FSX keyboard shortcuts?
Yes. FSX and FSX: Steam Edition let you inspect, remove and reassign keyboard commands from the Controls settings.
- Open the menu bar. During a flight, press
Altif the menu is hidden. - Open Controls. Go to Options, Settings and then Controls.
- Select Buttons/Keys. Find the event by its command name, such as Parking Brakes, ATC Window or Slew Mode.
- Assign the replacement key. Check for duplicate assignments and remove a conflicting command only when you are certain it is not needed.
- Test in a simple aircraft. Confirm the new binding in a default aircraft before troubleshooting an add-on.
Our step-by-step explanation of checking and rebinding active FSX controls covers the settings screen and common conflicts. Reassigning Scroll Lock, punctuation keys and numeric-keypad commands is especially useful on laptops.
Does FSX: Steam Edition use different controls?
FSX: Steam Edition uses the same stock keyboard assignments as the boxed Microsoft Flight Simulator X releases. Differences usually come from saved custom bindings, keyboard layout, laptop hardware, the Steam overlay or an installed add-on—not from a separate Steam control scheme.
Are these Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 or 2024 controls?
No. Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 and Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 have separate control systems, device profiles and presets, so an FSX keyboard shortcut list is not authoritative for either simulator.
| Simulator | Platforms | Does this FSX list apply? |
|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Flight Simulator X and FSX: Steam Edition | Windows PC | Yes, for stock keyboard assignments. |
| Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 | PC and Xbox | No. Check the active keyboard or controller profile in its Controls Options. |
| Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 | PC, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5 and PS5 Pro | No. Search for the action in the controls settings for the connected device and active preset. |
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 was never released on PlayStation. Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 became the first Flight Simulator released for PlayStation when it arrived on PS5 and PS5 Pro in December 2025.
Is this an MSFS 2024 Cheat Engine guide?
No. A keyboard shortcut “cheat sheet” is only a quick-reference list; it is not Cheat Engine or another memory-editing utility. Such software is unnecessary for assigning controls and is not a supported way to modify MSFS 2024.
For supported development functions, use the simulator's built-in Developer Mode and refer to our guide to MSFS 2024 Developer Mode keyboard commands.
I have 6 GB RAM — will that affect FSX keyboard controls?
No. Having 6 GB of system RAM does not change FSX keyboard assignments and will not cause an individual shortcut to stop working. Input problems should be diagnosed through focus, keyboard hardware, assignments and aircraft compatibility.
A computer with 6 GB RAM may run the base FSX installation if its operating system, processor and graphics hardware are compatible, but memory alone does not predict performance. FSX and FSX: Steam Edition are 32-bit applications, while demanding scenery and aircraft can still create memory pressure. Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 and 2024 are much more demanding and should not be judged by FSX-era requirements.