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At the most basic level, getting into the air in Flight Simulator is a simple matter of clicking Fly Now! on the Free Flight or Missions screen. If you don't make any changes to aircraft, weather, location, date and time, or options, you start in the default flight.
Depending on your level of experience, there may be more that you need to know to get up and flying.
Novices
If you're neither a pilot nor an experienced Flight Simulator user, the best way to get flying fast is by trying one of the Mission tutorials.
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To fly a Mission tutorial
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When you're finished, you may want to take a more comprehensive course in flying. Click Learning Center on the left side of the screen, and then click the Lessons tab.
Even better, if you know someone proficient in Flight Simulator, you can take lessons from them over the Internet or on a LAN using the Shared Aircraft feature. To learn more, see Sharing the Aircraft in Multiplayer in the Learning Center.
The Learning Center provides a wealth of information. Designed as a one-stop location for answers to Flight Simulator questions, Learning Center articles cover all aspects of using the simulator. Trying to find out how to change the weather? Wondering how to fly the Cessna 172 or any of Flight Simulator's other aircraft? Looking for tips on making Flight Simulator run better on your computer? The Learning Center is the place to find all of these answers, and more.
The Learning Center is divided into four tabs:
| Key Topics | Site Map | Index | Lessons |
| Quick links to information about important Flight Simulator features. | A list of all the Learning Center articles in a table of contents. | Links to the Learning Center articles organized by subject. | Lessons with Rod Machado from Student to Airline Transport Pilot. |
Real-World Pilots
For real-world pilots who are new to Flight Simulator, the path to proficiency is a little different than it is for non-pilot novices. You already know how to fly, but you need to know how to fly in Flight Simulator. How do you change aircraft, weather conditions, or simulation options? How do you raise and lower landing gear? How do you find more information about using the simulator?
The best way to get flying fast is by trying one of the Missions.
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To fly a Mission
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Even better, if you know someone proficient in Flight Simulator, you can take lessons from them over the Internet or on a LAN using the Shared Aircraft feature. To learn more, see Sharing the Aircraft in Multiplayer in the Learning Center.
Use the Learning Center to help you explore what's available and to find answers to questions that arise. Articles in the Learning Center explain all facets of Flight Simulator's features and options, including how to choose aircraft, how to adjust the radios, how to set weather conditions, and how to create and share flights with other Flight Simulator users.
The Learning Center is divided into four tabs:
| Key Topics | Site Map | Index | Lessons |
| Quick links to information about important Flight Simulator features. | A list of all the Learning Center articles in a table of contents. | Links to the Learning Center articles organized by subject. | Lessons with Rod Machado from Student to Airline Transport Pilot. |
Essential Key Commands
| Action | Key Command |
| Bank Left (ailerons) | Num Pad 4 |
| Bank Right (ailerons) | Num Pad 6 |
| Yaw Left (rudder) | Num Pad 0 |
| Yaw Right (rudder) | Num Pad ENTER |
| Center Ailerons and Rudder | Num Pad 5 |
| Pitch Down (elevator) | Num Pad 8 |
| Pitch Up (elevator) | Num Pad 2 |
| Retract Flaps (in increments) | F6 |
| Extend Flaps (in increments) | F7 |
| Engine AutoStart | CTRL + E |
| Cut Throttle | F1 |
| Full Throttle | F4 |
| Landing Gear Up/Down | G |
| View ATC Menu | ACCENT (`) |
(You can also press SHIFT+F10 while flying to view all key commands on the kneeboard.)
Experienced Flight Simulator Users
Veteran Flight Simulator users will want to know what's new in this version and where to find all the features that they're accustomed to using.
The big news in this version of Flight Simulator is Multiplayer Tower and Shared Aircraft (see What's New below).
Use the Learning Center to help you explore what's available and to find answers to questions that arise. Articles in the Learning Center explain all facets of Flight Simulator's features and options, including how to choose aircraft, how to adjust the radios, how to set weather conditions, and how to create and share flights with other Flight Simulator users.
The Learning Center is divided into four tabs:
| Key Topics | Site Map | Index | Lessons |
| Quick links to information about important Flight Simulator features. | A list of all the Learning Center articles in a table of contents. | Links to the Learning Center articles organized by subject. | Lessons with Rod Machado from Student to Airline Transport Pilot. |
What's New?
Multiplayer Tower (Deluxe only)
You can act as a Flight Simulator air traffic controller or talk to an air taffic controller over the Internet or a LAN.
Direct other pilots from the control tower in multiplayer mode (Deluxe version only). The multiplayer Tower feature allows a highly realistic level of air traffic control interaction in Flight Simulator. To learn more about Tower, see Multiplayer Air Traffic Control in the Learning Center.
Multiplayer Flight Instruction
How about live instruction on any aspect of flying or using Flight Simulator? You can give or receive instruction with another pilot or friend over the Internet or a LAN using Flight Simulator's Shared Aircraft feature. To learn more about Shared Aircraft, see Sharing the Aircraft in Multiplayer in the Learning Center.
Missions
Missions are a new way to experience Flight Simulator. These structured experiences are designed to expose features and places in the Flight Simulator world, as well as provide instruction.
Garmin G1000 (Deluxe only)
Higher resolution digital elevation data, new textures, new aircraft, and the Garmin G1000 glass cockpit all await your exploration. What are you reading this for? Get flying!
Tow Plane
There is a tow plane to get you aloft in the DG808S sailplane. To learn more, see Soaring.
Living World
Flight Simulator is now more alive with moving cars, trucks, boats, animals, and airport vehicles. To learn more, see The Living World.