MSFS

MSFS Controls/Keyboard Commands

Keyboard shortcuts keep workflows fast in Microsoft Flight Simulator, especially during busy phases like crosswind approaches and cockpit camera changes. This reference collects the default command map across menus, systems, autopilot, radios, views, slew, lighting, braking, gear, and power controls, with clear sections for quick lookup and easy customization.

4.7/5 (53) 103k downloads 🔥 Popular 7.93 MB Scanned clean
Flight Simulator 2020
Adam McEnroe
Editor reviewed · Tested in-sim

Expert Overview

This mod offers a handy, all-in-one reference for every default keyboard command within the latest Microsoft Flight Simulator, covering everything from cockpit camera views and autopilot management to basic aircraft controls and advanced power settings. Having tested it extensively over decades of simming experience, I can attest that it makes in-flight adjustments faster and more intuitive, saving valuable time during critical flight maneuvers.

Beyond just listing control surfaces and avionics shortcuts, the mod includes thoughtful extras such as a single-page cheat sheet and flexible print-friendly formats for offline reference. Its thoroughness ensures both newcomers and seasoned virtual aviators can quickly master key commands, improving overall immersion and efficiency in the evolving world of MSFS.

This mod was installed, tested and reviewed by Adam McEnroe for Fly Away Simulation. Adam is an FS mod expert. Read his bio →

These are the final keyboard commands for Microsoft's latest flight simulator, MSFS, or Microsoft Flight Simulator - or has it become affectionately named in the flight sim world (especially from older FS users), FS2020.

FS2020 is not the official name or abbreviation for this new release (it's important to note this). Going forward all references to this "evergreen" Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) version will be announced as MSFS.

MSFS Keyboard controls and commands cover artwork.?

This is a complete list of all of the keyboard commands and controls from which you can perform actions within the flight simulator to save mouse clicks - they are quick actions that make flight easier (especially when performing a manual landing in a cross-wind!).

These are the default keyboard bindings from a normal install. You may customize and change the default bindings within the simulator software if you wish.

It's worth noting that the new MSFS team and Asobo Studio team have tried their best to keep the new/current keyboard control map as close as they can to the existing previous releases (FSX/FS2004 etc.) so that "legacy" simmers are familiar with the control map.

This is a complete list - if you are sure we are missing anything, then please do not hesitate to let us know in the comments section at the foot of this page - we will update it right away.

PDF Document Option

You may also download this list as a PDF document (cheat sheet) so you may print it for easy lookup or use it as a reference whilst flying. We also provide a Word document should you have issues with PDF.

Update

We noticed that the original downloadable documents provided were all on one page and hard to print. We have now included split page documents in the downloadable file for ease of printing.

"Cheat Sheet" Single Page Printable

We have now included single page "cheat sheet" files in both JPG and PDF format for easy printing of all keyboard commands on one page.

As this document is quite lengthy, you can jump to the individual control section you are looking for using the jump-links below;

Control list

NOTE: Make sure Num Lock is OFF before using Num Pad commands.

Menu

Toggle Active Pause
Pause
Toggle Basic Control Panel
CTRL + C
Clear Search
DEL
Toggle Pause
ESC
Select 1
ALT + F1
Select 2
ALT + F2
Select 3
ALT + F3
Select 4
ALT + F4
Display Checklist
Shift + C
Next Toolbar Panel
Period (.)
Previous Toolbar Panel
Slash (/)
Back To Main Menu
End
Close Menu
Backspace
Fly
Enter
Change Aircraft
F11
Liveries
F12
See Specifications
F10
Help Menu
Tab
Restart Free Flight
Home
Restart Activity
Home

Instruments & Systems

Toggle Anti-Ice
H
Toggle Pitot Heat
Shift + H
Toggle Master Alternator
ALT + A
Toggle Master Battery
ALT + B
Toggle Master Battery & Alternator
Shift + M
Toggle Master Ignition Switch
ALT + I
Decrease Cowl Flap
Shift + CTRL + C
Increase Cowl Flap
Shift + CTRL + V
Select Engine
E
Auto-Start Engine
CTRL + E
Engine Auto-Stop
Shift + CTRL + E
Magnetos
M
Magnetos (Both)
Shift + ALT + F
Magnetos (Left)
Shift + ALT + S
Magnetos (Right)
Shift + ALT + D
Magnetos Off
Shift + ALT + Q
Magnetos Start
Shift + ALT + G

Flight Instruments

Select Airspeed Bug
Shift + CTRL + R
Select Altitude Bug
Shift + CTRL + Z
Toggle Auto-Rudder
Shift + CTRL + U
Set Altimeter
B
Decrease Heading Bug
CTRL + DEL
Increase Heading Bug
CTRL + Insert
Select Heading Bug
Shift + CTRL + H
Set Heading Indicator
D
Toggle Alternate Static
ALT + S

Instrument Views

Previous Instrument View
Shift + A
Next Instrument View
A
Toggle Instrument View 10
CTRL + 0
Toggle Instrument View 1
CTRL + 1
Toggle Instrument View 2
CTRL + 2
Toggle Instrument View 3
CTRL + 3
Toggle Instrument View 4
CTRL + 4
Toggle Instrument View 5
CTRL + 5
Toggle Instrument View 6
CTRL + 6
Toggle Instrument View 7
CTRL + 7
Toggle Instrument View 8
CTRL + 8
Toggle Instrument View 9
CTRL + 9
Select Next POI
Page Up
Reset Smartcam
CTRL + F
Set Custom Smartcam Target
T
Next Smartcam Target
Page Up + CTRL
Camera AI Player
Home + CTRL
Previous Smartcam Target
Page Down + CTRL
Toggle Follow Smartcam Target
Page Down
Unset Custom Smartcam Target
Shift + T

Camera Mode Switches

Cockpit & External View Mode
END
Toggle Drone
Insert

Camera - Slew Mode

Toggle Slew Mode
Y
Slew Translate Up (Slow)
F3
Slew Translate Up (Fast)
F4
Slew Translate Backward
Num 2
Slew Translate Forward
Num 8
Slew Translate Down (Fast)
F1
Slew Translate Down (Slow)
A
Slew Y-Axis Translation Freeze
F2
Slew X-Axis Translation Freeze
Num 5
Slew Roll Left
Num 7
Slew Roll Right
Num 9
Slew Yaw Left
Num 1
Slew Yaw Right
Num 3
Slew Pitch Down (Fast)
F8
Slew Pitch Freeze
F6
Slew Pitch Down
Num 0
Slew Pitch Up
9
Slew Pitch Up (Fast)
F5
Slew Pitch Up (Slow)
F7
Slew Translate Right
Num 6
Slew Translate Left
Num 4

Cockpit Camera

Load Custom Camera 0
ALT + 0
Load Custom Camera 1
ALT + 1
Load Custom Camera 2
ALT + 2
Load Custom Camera 3
ALT + 3
Load Custom Camera 4
ALT + 4
Load Custom Camera 5
ALT + 5
Load Custom Camera 6
ALT + 6
Load Custom Camera 7
ALT + 7
Load Custom Camera 8
ALT + 8
Load Custom Camera 9
ALT + 9
Load Next Custom Camera
K
Load Previous Custom Camera
Shift + K
Save Custom Camera 0
Ctrl + ALT + 0
Save Custom Camera 1
Ctrl + ALT + 1
Save Custom Camera 2
Ctrl + ALT + 2
Save Custom Camera 3
Ctrl + ALT + 3
Save Custom Camera 4
Ctrl + ALT + 4
Save Custom Camera 5
Ctrl + ALT + 5
Save Custom Camera 6
Ctrl + ALT + 6
Save Custom Camera 7
Ctrl + ALT + 7
Save Custom Camera 8
Ctrl + ALT + 8
Save Custom Camera 9
Ctrl + ALT + 9
Decrease Cockpit View Height
Down
Increase Cockpit View Height
Up
Translate Cockpit View Backward
Right ALT + Down
Translate Cockpit View Forward
Right ALT + Up
Translate Cockpit View Left
Left
Translate Cockpit View Right
Right
Cockpit Look Down
Shift + Down
Cockpit Look Left
Shift + Left
Cockpit Look Right
Shift + Right
Cockpit Look Up
Shift + Up
Cockpit Quickview Up
CTRL + Up
Cockpit Quickview Rear
CTRL + Down
Cockpit Quickview Right
CTRL + Right
Cockpit Quickview Left
CTRL + Left
Cockpit Quickview Cycle
Q
Reset Cockpit View
CTRL + Space
Cockpit View Upper
Space
Unzoom Cockpit View
–
Toggle Smart Camera
S
Zoom Cockpit View
=

Drone Camera

Toggle Drone Depth Of Field
F1
Toggle Foreground Blur
F5
Drone Topdown View
CTRL + Space
Attach Drone To Next Target
CTRL + Page Up
Attach Drone To Previous Target
CTRL + Page Down
Toggle Drone Auto Exposure
CTRL + F4
Toggle Drone Auto Focus
F4
Decrease Drone Rotation Speed
F3
Decrease Drone Translation Speed
F1
Decrease Drone Depth Of Field
F2
Increase Drone Depth Of Field
F3
Decrease Drone Exposure
CTRL + F2
Increase Drone Exposure
CTRL + F3
Increase Drone Rotation Speed
F4
Increase Drone Translation Speed
F2
Lock Drone To Next Target
T
Lock Drone To Previous Target
Shift + T
Translate Drone Backward
S
Translate Drone Down
F
Translate Drone Forward
W
Translate Drone Left
A
Translate Drone Right
D
Translate Drone Up
R
Reset Drone Roll
Space
Reset Drone Target Offset
Num 5
Pitch Drone Down
Num 2
Roll Drone Right
Num 9
Pitch Drone Up
Num 8
Yaw Drone Left
Num 4
Yaw Drone Right
Num 6
Roll Drone Left
Num 7
Toggle Drone Follow Mode
Tab
Toggle Drone Lock Mode
CTRL + Tab
Increase Drone Zoom
Num Plus
Decrease Drone Zoom
Num Sub
Toggle Plane Controls
C

External Camera

Reset External View
CTRL + Space
External Quickview Left
CTRL + Left
External Quickview Rear
CTRL + Down
External Quickview Right
CTRL + Right
External Quickview Top
CTRL + Up
Unzoom External View
–
Zoom External View
=

Fixed Camera

Toggle Fixed Camera 10
CTRL + Shift + 0
Toggle Fixed Camera 1
CTRL + Shift + 1
Toggle Fixed Camera 2
CTRL + Shift + 2
Toggle Fixed Camera 3
CTRL + Shift + 3
Toggle Fixed Camera 4
CTRL + Shift + 4
Toggle Fixed Camera 5
CTRL + Shift + 5
Toggle Fixed Camera 6
CTRL + Shift + 6
Toggle Fixed Camera 7
CTRL + Shift + 7
Toggle Fixed Camera 8
CTRL + Shift + 8
Toggle Fixed Camera 9
CTRL + Shift + 9
Reset Fixed Camera
F
Previous Fixed Camera
Shift + A
Next Fixed Camera
A

Autopilot

Autopilot Airspeed Hold
ALT + R
Decrease Autopilot Reference Altitude
CTRL + Page Down
Increase Autopilot Reference Altitude
CTRL + Page Up
Toggle Autopilot Approach Hold
CTRL + A
Toggle Autopilot Altitude Hold
CTRL + T
Toggle Autopilot Localizer Hold
CTRL + O
Toggle Autopilot Mach Hold
CTRL + M
Toggle Autopilot Master
Z
Autopilot N1 Hold
CTRL + S
Decrease Autopilot N1 Reference
CTRL + End
Increase Autopilot N1 Reference
CTRL + Home
Autopilot Nav1 Hold
CTRL + N Decrease
Autopilot Reference Airspeed
Shift + CTRL + DEL
Increase Autopilot Reference Airspeed
Shift + CTRL + Insert
Decrease Autopilot Reference VS
CTRL + End
Increase Autopilot Reference VS
CTRL + Home
Toggle Autopilot Wing Leveler
CTRL + V
Autopilot Off
Shift + ALT + Z
Autopilot On
ALT + Z
Arm Auto Throttle
Shift + R
Auto Throttle To GA
Shift + CTRL + G
Toggle Avionics Master
Page Up
Toggle Flight Director
CTRL + F
Toggle Yaw Damper
CTRL + D

Fuel

Toggle Fuel Dump
Shift + CTRL + D
Fuel Selector 1 All
ALT + W
Fuel Selector 1 Off
CTRL + ALT + W
Toggle All Fuel Valve
ALT + V

Brakes

Brakes
Num Decimal
Left Brake
Nummult
Right Brake
Num Sub
Toggle Parking Brakes
CTRL + Num Decimal

Landing Gear

Toggle Landing Gear
G
Gear Down
CTRL + G
Toggle Tail Wheel Lock
Shift + G

Throttle

Throttle Cut
F1
Decrease Throttle
F2
Increase Throttle
F3

Flight Control Surfaces

Aileron Left (Roll Left)
Num 4
Aileron Right (Roll Right)
Num 6
Center Aileron Rudder
Num 5
Elevator Down (Pitch Down)
Num 8
Elevator Up (Pitch Up)
Num 2
Toggle Water Rudder
CTRL + W
Rudder Left (Yaw Left)
Num 0
Rudder Right (Yaw Right)
Enter

Secondary Control Surfaces

Decrease Flaps
F6
Extend Flaps
F8
Increase Flaps
F7
Retract Flaps
F5
Toggle Spoilers
Num Divide

Control Trimming Surfaces

Aileron Trim Left
CTRL + Num 4
Aileron Trim Right
CTRL + Num 6
Rudder Trim Left
CTRL + Num 0
Rudder Trim Right
CTRL + Enter
Elevator Trim Down (Nose Down)
Num 7
Elevator Trim Up (Nose Up)
Num 1

Exterior Lights

Toggle Landing Lights
CTRL + L
Landing Lights Down
Shift + CTRL + Num 2
Landing Light Home
Shift + CTRL + Num 5
Landing Light Left
Shift + CTRL + Num 4
Landing Light Right
Shift + CTRL + Num 6
Landing Light Up
Shift + CTRL + Num 8
Toggle Strobes
O
Toggle Beacon Light
ALT + H
Toggle Nav Light
ALT + N
Toggle Taxi Lights
ALT + J

Interior Lights

Toggle Flashlight
ALT + L
Toggle Lights
L

Power Management Mixture

Decrease Mixture
Shift + CTRL + F2
Increase Mixture
Shift + CTRL + F3
Set Mixture Lean
Shift + CTRL + F1
Set Mixture Rich
Shift + CTRL + F4

Power Management Propeller

Decrease Propeller Pitch
CTRL + F2
Propeller Pitch Hi
CTRL + F4
Increase Propeller Pitch
CTRL + F3
Propeller Pitch Lo
CTRL + F1

Radio

ADF
Shift + CTRL + A
Com Radio
C
Set Com1 Standby
Shift + ALT + X
Com1 Switch To Standby
ALT + U
DME
F
Decrease Nav1 Frequency
Shift + CTRL + Page Down
Increase Nav1 Frequency
Shift + CTRL + Page Up
Nav1 Swap
Shift + CTRL + N
Nav Radio
N
Decrease Vor1 OBS
Shift + CTRL + End
Increase VOR1 OBS
Shift + CTRL + Home
VOR OBS
Shift + V
Transponder
T
Set Transponder
Shift + ALT + W
Display ATC
Scroll Lock
ATC Panel Choice 0
0
ATC Panel Choice 1
1
ATC Panel Choice 2
2
ATC Panel Choice 3
3
ATC Panel Choice 4
4
ATC Panel Choice 5
5
ATC Panel Choice 6
6
ATC Panel Choice 7
7
ATC Panel Choice 8
8
ATC Panel Choice 9
9
Frequency Swap
X
Increase Wheel Speed
Shift

Misc

Toggle Fuel Pump
ALT + P
Toggle Marker Sound
CTRL + 3
Minus
CTRL + Num Sub
Plus
CTRL + Num Plus
Toggle Pushback
Shift + P
Request Fuel
Shift + F
Display Nav Log
N
Display Map
V
Sim Rate
R
Skip RTC
Backspace
New UI Window Mode
Right Alt
Toggle Delegate Control
CTRL + ALT + X

Your Thoughts

If you think we have missed any controls off the lists above, please let us know. Also, if any controls appear wrong or do not function as expected, also let us know. You can communicate your responses using the comments section below.

We hope you find this document/page useful - if you do then we'd really appreciate it if you could share it with your sim community friends if you feel that they would find it useful too.

Notes: If you want to grab the single-page document and all printables, click on the "DOWNLOAD" button.

Ready to download Controls/Keyboard Commands?

Free for all simmers · 7.93 MB · Scanned clean

File information

Filename
msfs-keyboard-commands.zip
File size
7.93 MB
Virus scan
Clean (scanned with ClamAV)
Access
Freeware
Content rating
Everyone

Download speed: Free tier is capped at 2 Mbps. PRO members download at full line speed.

This is a freeware file — use is subject to our freeware copyright terms.

How to install this mod

MSFS add-on

  1. Extract the downloaded archive

    Use 7-Zip (free) or WinRAR to extract the ZIP to a temporary folder. Don't install while still zipped — the simulator can't read inside ZIP files.

  2. Locate your MSFS Community folder

    All MSFS add-ons live in the Community folder. Microsoft Store / Game Pass version: %LOCALAPPDATA%\Packages\Microsoft.FlightSimulator_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalCache\Packages\Community\. Steam version: %APPDATA%\Microsoft Flight Simulator\Packages\Community\. Tip: enable Developer Mode in MSFS to see your exact Community folder path.

  3. Copy the package into Community

    Drag the extracted folder into your Community folder. Most MSFS add-ons follow this pattern.

  4. Restart MSFS

    Close MSFS completely and relaunch. The new content appears in the Content Manager, on the World Map, or in the aircraft/livery selector.

  5. Always read the included readme

    Every mod ships with a readme.txt or README file. It tells you exactly where files go, what dependencies are needed, and any quirks specific to this add-on.
Still stuck? The readme included with the file is the authoritative source for this specific mod. Visit our Flight School tutorials or ask in our Q&A forum.

69 comments

Read what other simmers think, or add your own.

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Comments below are opinions of individual posters and don’t always reflect Fly Away Simulation’s views. Every comment is manually moderated before publication.
Most helpful comment
gmillerd PRO

This may be a moot matter, but I often like to open/close exits/doors and I do not see any keyboard commands for doing so. Now, I have both FS9 and FSX, although I do not fly FSX as much as I do FS9, in FS9 I often start with opening doors and or cargo doors and associated ramps (i.e., the C5A). Kinda quirky, I know, but it is part of the overall fun.

  1. OMAR MORAIS

    Regarding the configuration for taxiing the aircraft, where do I configure the airplane’s “steering wheel” so that I can control turning left, right, and aligning?

    Link
  2. Cor van Zundert

    Dear Sir/Madam,

    It would be helpful for many if you could add an instruction on how to get the SideWinder joystick working.

    Thanks and regards,
    Cor.

    Link
  3. Dave Paterson

    Hi, The keyboard commands provided on your web page is excellent.

    However it provides commands for XBox settings.

    Is there a similar command sheet for HOTAS controllers?

    Thanks!

    Link
  4. James Lee tunstell Tunstell

    thank you for all you have done for my life..........

    Link
  5. Robert Keeley

    In Boeing 737 when changing views within the cockpit by selecting Carl + 2 for instance, the view changes but on release of the keys press fail to stay in the new position.

    You advice please

    Robert

    Link
  6. Valerie R Griffin

    Downloaded and printed out the flight commands for my husband but super small characters. How to correct it? I've gone into my printer settings to no avail. Thanks.

    Link
  7. David

    Would love a printable list of these but for keyboards without Numpad.

    Link
  8. DAVID WATSON

    To make the lists more useful there should be a 'back to menu' link before and after each section. Otherwise, you have to keep scrolling back to the menu.

    Link
  9. Ernie Adsett

    What about features like OBS and the Goto Tables, etc.?

    Link
  10. Douglas Perry

    Hi everyone! I do have an issue that I would like resolved and that is, how to make my split screen normal again. It's been over 6 months and I think rust is about to set in! Is there any hope of helping me?

    Link

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