What are the most important keyboard controls in MSFS?

G (landing gear), F5-F8 (flaps), Z (autopilot), P (pause in 2024), Shift+Space (reset view).

Did controls change between MSFS 2020 and 2024?

Yes. P=pause (was ESC), Shift+Space=reset view (was Ctrl+Space), Alt+P=pushback (was Shift+P).

Can I use a keyboard to fly?

Yes, but a joystick is recommended for precision. Keyboard works for menus and learning basics.

Microsoft Flight Simulator Keyboard Controls Guide: Every Default Binding

Mastering the cockpit of Microsoft Flight Simulator (MSFS) requires more than just a joystick; the keyboard is essential for managing systems, cameras, and navigation. Whether you are flying the legacy MSFS 2020 or the new MSFS 2024, this guide provides a complete reference for every default key binding.

TL;DR: The Essentials #

If you’re just starting your flight, these are the most critical controls you’ll need:

G: Toggle Landing Gear
F5 - F8: Flaps (Retract $\rightarrow$ Extend)
Z: Toggle Autopilot Master
P: Pause (MSFS 2024) / ESC: Pause (MSFS 2020)
Shift + Space: Reset Cockpit View (MSFS 2024) / Ctrl + Space: Reset Cockpit View (MSFS 2020)
Num .: Brakes
F1 - F3: Throttle (Decrease $\rightarrow$ Increase)

MSFS 2020 vs. MSFS 2024: Key Changes #

While the core flight controls remain identical, Microsoft updated several system shortcuts in MSFS 2024 to improve the user experience.

Action	MSFS 2020 Binding	MSFS 2024 Binding	Status
Pause Game	`ESC`	`P`	Changed
Reset Cockpit View	`Ctrl + Space`	`Shift + Space`	Changed
Pushback	`Shift + P`	`Alt + P`	Changed
Parking Brake	`Ctrl + Num .`	`Ctrl + Space`	Changed
Landing Gear	`G`	`G`	Same
Autopilot Master	`Z`	`Z`	Same
Flaps	`F5 - F8`	`F5 - F8`	Same

Quick Reference: Top 15 Most-Used Controls #

Control	Key Binding	Function
Landing Gear	`G`	Toggle Gear Up/Down
Flaps Up	`F5`	Fully Retract Flaps
Flaps Down	`F8`	Fully Extend Flaps
Autopilot	`Z`	Toggle Autopilot Master
Brakes	`Num .`	Apply Brakes
Parking Brake	`Ctrl + Space` (2024)	Toggle Parking Brake
Throttle Up	`F3`	Increase Engine Power
Throttle Down	`F2`	Decrease Engine Power
Pause	`P` (2024) / `ESC` (2020)	Pause Simulation
Cockpit View	`End`	Switch Cockpit $\leftrightarrow$ External
Drone Mode	`Insert`	Toggle Drone Camera
Reset View	`Shift + Space` (2024)	Center Cockpit Camera
Pushback	`Alt + P` (2024)	Toggle Pushback
Landing Lights	`Ctrl + I`	Toggle Landing Lights
Beacon Light	`O`	Toggle Beacon

Complete Keyboard Controls #

🛠️ Miscellaneous & System #

Action	Binding
Toggle Fuel Pump	`Alt + P`
Toggle Marker Sound	`Ctrl + 3`
Sim Rate Decrease	`Ctrl + Num -`
Sim Rate Increase	`Ctrl + Num +`
Toggle Pushback	`Alt + P` (2024) / `Shift + P` (2020)
Request Fuel	`Shift + F`
Show Navlog	`N`
Show Map	`V`
Sim Rate Toggle	`R`
Skip RTC	`Backspace`
New UI Window Mode	`Right Alt`
Switch Control to Copilot	`Ctrl + Alt + X`

📟 Instruments & Systems #

Anti-Ice & Heating

Toggle Anti-Ice: H
Toggle Pilot Heat: Shift + H

Electrical

Toggle Main Generator: Alt + A
Toggle Main Battery: Alt + B
Toggle Battery & Alternator: Shift + M

Engine Instruments

Decrease Cowl Flap: Shift + Ctrl + C
Increase Cowl Flap: Shift + Ctrl + V
Select Engine: E
Auto-Start Engine: Ctrl + E
Auto-Stop Engine: Shift + Ctrl + E
Magnetos: M
Magnetos Both: Shift + Alt + F
Magnetos Left: Shift + Alt + S
Magnetos Off: Shift + Alt + Q
Magnetos Right: Shift + Alt + D
Magnetos Start: Shift + Alt + G
Toggle Main Ignition Switch: Alt + I

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 + Delete
Increase Heading Bug: Ctrl + Insert
Select Heading Bug: Shift + Ctrl + H
Set Course Indicator: D
Toggle Static Alternate: Alt + S

Fuel Management

Toggle Fuel Drain: Shift + Ctrl + D
Fuel Selection 1 All: Alt + W
Fuel Selection 1 Off: Ctrl + Alt + W
Toggle All Fuel Valves: Alt + V

🎥 Camera Controls #

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
Freeze Slew Y-Axis: F2
Slew Roll Left: Num 7
Slew Roll Right: Num 9
Freeze Slew X-Axis: Num 5
Slew Yaw Left: Num 1
Slew Yaw Right: Num 3
Translate Left: Num 4
Slew Pitch Down (Fast): F8
Freeze Slew Pitch: F6
Slew Pitch Down: Num 0
Slew Pitch Up: 9
Slew Pitch Up (Fast): F5
Slew Pitch Up (Slow): F7
Translate Right: Num 6
Toggle Slew Mode: Y

View Modes

Cockpit / External View: End
Toggle Drone: Insert

Cockpit Camera

Load Custom Camera (0-9): Alt + 0-9
Load Next Custom Camera: K
Load Previous Custom Camera: Shift + K
Save Custom Camera (0-9): Ctrl + Alt + 0-9
Decrease Cockpit View Height: Down Arrow
Increase Cockpit View Height: Up Arrow
Translate Cockpit View Backward: Right Alt + Down Arrow
Translate Cockpit View Forward: Right Alt + Up Arrow
Translate Cockpit View Left: Left Arrow
Translate Cockpit View Right: Right Arrow
Look Down: Shift + Down Arrow
Look Left: Shift + Left Arrow
Look Right: Shift + Right Arrow
Look Up: Shift + Up Arrow
Quick Look Up: Ctrl + Up Arrow
Quick Look Back: Ctrl + Down Arrow
Quick Look Right: Ctrl + Right Arrow
Quick Look Left: Ctrl + Left Arrow
Cycle Quick Views: Q
Reset Cockpit View: Shift + Space (2024) / Ctrl + Space (2020)
Cockpit View Up: Space
Cockpit View Down: -
Toggle Smart Camera: S
Zoom Cockpit View: =

Drone Camera

Toggle Depth of Field: F1
Toggle Foreground Blur: F5
Drone View Top $\rightarrow$ Bottom: Ctrl + Space
Snap Drone to Nearest Target: Ctrl + Page Up
Snap Drone to Previous Target: Ctrl + Page Down
Toggle Auto Exposure: Ctrl + F4
Toggle Autofocus: F4
Decrease Rotation Speed: F3
Decrease Translation Speed: F1
Decrease Depth of Field: F2
Increase Depth of Field: F3
Decrease Exposure: Ctrl + F2
Increase Exposure: Ctrl + F3
Increase Rotation Speed: F4
Increase Translation Speed: F2
Lock Drone to Next Target: T
Lock Drone to Previous Target: Shift + T
Translate Backward: S
Translate Down: F
Translate Forward: W
Translate Left: A
Translate Right: D
Translate 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 +
Decrease Drone Zoom: Num -
Toggle Level Control: C

External & Fixed Cameras

Reset External View: Ctrl + Space (2020) / F
External Quick Look Left: Ctrl + Left Arrow
External Quick Look Back: Ctrl + Down Arrow
External Quick Look Right: Ctrl + Right Arrow
External Quick Look Up: Ctrl + Up Arrow
External View Down: -
Zoom External View: =
Toggle Fixed Camera (0-9): Ctrl + Shift + 0-9
Reset Fixed Camera: F
Previous Fixed Camera: Shift + A
Next Fixed Camera: A

Instrument Views

Previous Instrument View: Shift + A
Next Instrument View: A
Toggle Instrument View (0-9): Ctrl + 0-9
Select Next POI: Page Up
Reset Smartcam: Ctrl + F
Set Custom Smartcam Target: T
Next Smartcam Target: Ctrl + Page Up
AI Player Camera: Ctrl + Home
Previous Smartcam Target: Ctrl + Page Down
Cycle Smartcam Targets: Page Down
Disable Custom Smartcam Target: Shift + T

✈️ Autopilot Controls #

Action	Binding
Autopilot Airspeed Hold	`Alt + R`
Decrease AP Reference Altitude	`Ctrl + Page Down`
Increase AP Reference Altitude	`Ctrl + Page Up`
Toggle AP Approach Hold	`Ctrl + A`
Toggle AP Attitude Hold	`Ctrl + T`
Toggle AP Localizer Hold	`Ctrl + O`
Toggle AP Mach Hold	`Ctrl + M`
Autopilot Master Toggle	`Z`
Autopilot N1 Hold	`Ctrl + S`
Decrease AP N1 Reference	`Ctrl + End`
Increase AP N1 Reference	`Ctrl + Home`
Autopilot Nav1 Hold	`Ctrl + N`
Decrease AP Ref Airspeed	`Shift + Ctrl + Delete`
Increase AP Ref Airspeed	`Shift + Ctrl + Insert`
Decrease AP Reference VS	`Ctrl + End`
Increase AP Reference VS	`Ctrl + Home`
Toggle AP 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`

🛑 Brakes & Ground Handling #

Action	Binding
Apply Brakes	`Num .`
Left Brake	`Num *`
Right Brake	`Num -`
Toggle Parking Brake	`Ctrl + Space` (2024) / `Ctrl + Num .` (2020)

🕹️ Flight Control Surfaces #

Primary Controls

Roll Left: Num 4
Roll Right: Num 6
Center Ailerons: Num 5
Pitch Down: Num 8
Pitch Up: Num 2
Toggle Water Rudder: Ctrl + W
Yaw Left: Num 0
Yaw Right: Enter

Secondary Controls

Retract Flaps: F5
Extend Flaps: F8
Flaps Increment: F7
Flaps Decrement: F6
Toggle Spoilers: Num /

Trim Controls

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

⚙️ Landing Gear #

Action	Binding
Toggle Landing Gear	`G`
Gear Down	`Ctrl + G`
Toggle Nosewheel Steering Lock	`Shift + G`

💡 Lighting #

External Lights

Toggle Landing Lights: Ctrl + I
Landing Light 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 Strobe Lights: O
Toggle Beacon Lights: Alt + H
Toggle Navigation Lights: Alt + N
Toggle Taxi Lights: Alt + J

Internal Lights

Toggle Flashlight: Alt + L
Toggle Interior Lights: L

Action	Binding
Toggle Active Pause	`Pause`
Toggle Basic Panel	`Ctrl + C`
Clear Search	`Delete`
Pause Simulation	`P` (2024) / `ESC` (2020)
Selection 1-4	`Alt + F1` to `Alt + F4`
Show Checklist	`Shift + C`
Next Toolbar Window	`.`
Previous Toolbar Window	`/`
Return to Main Menu	`End`
Close Menu	`Backspace`
Fly / Confirm	`Enter`
Change Aircraft	`F11`
Liveries Menu	`F12`
See Technical Specs	`F10`
Help Menu	`Tab`
Restart Free Flight	`Home` (New)
Restart Activity	`Home`

⚡ Power & Throttle #

Mixture

Decrease Mixture: Shift + Ctrl + F2
Increase Mixture (Small): Shift + Ctrl + F3
Set Mixture Lean: Shift + Ctrl + F1
Set Mixture Rich: Shift + Ctrl + F4

Propeller

Decrease Prop Pitch: Ctrl + F2
Prop Pitch High: Ctrl + F4
Increase Prop Pitch: Ctrl + F3
Prop Pitch Low: Ctrl + F1

Throttle

Throttle Decrease: F2
Throttle Increase: F3
Full Throttle: F1

📻 Radio Controls #

Action	Binding
ADF	`Shift + Ctrl + A`
COM Radio	`C`
Set COM1 Standby	`Shift + Alt + X`
COM1 Swap 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`

❓ FAQ #

1. I can’t find the "Pause" button in MSFS 2024. Where did it go? In MSFS 2024, the pause function has been moved from the ESC key to the P key to prevent players from accidentally pausing their flight while trying to access menus.

2. How do I center my cockpit view quickly? Use Shift + Space in MSFS 2024 or Ctrl + Space in MSFS 2020. This is essential for quickly returning to a forward-facing position after looking at instruments.

3. What is the fastest way to start my engines? While you can manually flip every switch, the Ctrl + E shortcut allows you to auto-start your engines instantly.

4. Can I change these default keyboard bindings? Yes. Go to Options $\rightarrow$ Control Options, select your keyboard, and you can search for any command to re-bind it to a key of your choice.

5. Why aren’t my flaps moving with the F-keys? Ensure you are not in a menu or that another application (like a browser or OS shortcut) isn’t intercepting the F5-F8 keys. Also, check that your aircraft’s flaps are not locked or damaged.

Last updated: July 2026