Like most Flight Simulator pilots, you've probably memorized the basic key commands required to fly. You know that pressing the G key raises and lowers the landing gear, and pressing F7 lowers the flaps. But you might not know about some other commands, so we asked some experienced Flight Simulator pilots to let us in on their favorites:
1. W
Cockpit Views - Panel on/off
Want to focus on your view out the window instead of the instruments? To cycle through cockpit views, which include a view with no panel at all, press W.
 To display just the six basic instruments, press the W key. |
2. ` (TILDE)
ATC window display/hide
Press ` to display and hide the Air Traffic Control window. You can learn more about the Air Traffic Control feature in the Air Traffic Control articles.
3. CTRL+S
Top-Down view
Cleared to taxi to runway 27R, but not sure where it is? To switch to Top-down view and see the scene from above, press CTRL+S. To zoom in and out, press EQUAL SIGN (=) and MINUS SIGN (-).
 To switch to Top-down view, press CTRL+S. |
4. EQUAL SIGN and MINUS
Zoom in or out
Is that an airport out there on the horizon? To zoom in for a closer look in any view, press EQUAL SIGN (=); to zoom out, press MINUS SIGN (-). To reset to the default zoom, press BACKSPACE.
5. SHIFT+ENTER
Move eyepoint up
Want to raise your seat and see more of the ground? To raise your "eyepoint," press SHIFT+ENTER. To reset the eyepoint, press SPACEBAR. You can also move your eyepoint left and right. For the complete list of eyepoint commands, see the Kneeboard (press SHIFT+F10).
6. SHIFT+F10
Kneeboard display and hide
Need to know the approach speed for the Boeing 737–400? To display or hide the Kneeboard, press SHIFT+F10. You'll find complete checklists and reference information for the aircraft you're flying, flight briefings, and Navigation and Communications logs. Better yet, the kneeboard also includes a complete list of the Flight Simulator key commands.
7. R
Adjust simulation rate
Flying from Hong Kong to San Francisco and getting bored staring at the Pacific? Increase the simulation rate. Press R to select the simulation rate, then press EQUAL SIGN (=) to increase it. To slow back down to a sim rate of 1, press R then press MINUS SIGN (-).
8. S
Switch views
Want a new perspective on your flight? The default view in Flight Simulator is Cockpit view. To switch to other views, press S. (To switch through the views in reverse order, press SHIFT+S.) To look around, use the joystick hat switch or the numeric keypad.
9. Z
Enable and disable autopilot master switch
Overwhelmed with cockpit tasks? Reduce your workload by pressing Z to turn on the autopilot master switch. In addition to enabling all of the other autopilot functions, the master switch engages pitch hold and the wing leveler. The aircraft maintains its current pitch attitude and the wings stay level.
10. E
Select engine
Flying an aircraft with more than one engine? You can adjust each engine's controls individually. Select an engine by pressing E + the engine number (1 through 4), then manipulate the control using the mouse or key commands. To revert to controlling all engines, press E + all the engine numbers in quick succession (E+1, E+2, and so on).