How to control the camera/viewpoint in Microsoft Flight Simulator

This article explains how to control the camera/viewpoint in Microsoft Flight Simulator using a keyboard, controller, and joystick.
We will also introduce the game's default settings. You can freely change the setting value assignments in the MSFS settings screen .
Note that joysticks vary in number of buttons and levers depending on the product, and the settings are also different. Here we will use the Turtle Beach VelocityOne Flightstick(V1 FLIGHTSTICK) as an example.

このページを日本語で見る

MSFS camera types

MSFS2024/2020 is equipped with the following cameras, which you can switch between freely at any time.

COCKPIT CAMERA

This is the viewpoint from which the player sits in the cockpit. By moving their head, the player can look up, down, left and right, and move around. The game starts from this viewpoint.

EXTERNAL CAMERA

This camera allows you to view the plane from outside. The line of sight is always directed towards the plane. The instruments are displayed transparently on the screen, allowing you to continue flying.

INSTRUMENT VIEWS

This camera allows you to zoom in on important cockpit instruments. The viewpoint is set individually depending on the aircraft selected. There are 10 preset viewpoints, numbered 1 to 10.
After switching to the instrument view, you can use the cockpit camera keys to move the camera position and line of sight. The instrument view can also be thought of as a function that moves the cockpit camera position to a specific instrument.

FIXED CAMERA

This camera is set outside the aircraft and can magnify specific parts of the aircraft. The viewpoint is set individually depending on the aircraft selected. There are 10 preset viewpoints, numbered 1 to 10.
Please note that with a fixed camera, you cannot move your line of sight or position. Also, currently MSFS2024 does not allow you to control the plane with this camera (this may be improved in the future).

DRONE CAMERA

This camera has a coordinate system independent of the airplane and can be moved freely. You can enjoy views like looking at the airplane from a drone, from an airport observation deck or a control tower, or from other locations and directions that are completely unrelated to the airplane you are operating. When this camera is selected, no instruments will be displayed on the screen.
In MSFS2024, by default the "Toggle plane controls" command is not assigned anywhere, so you cannot control the plane with this camera.

SLEW MODE

This function ignores the laws of physics and lets you move the plane to any location and attitude with key operations. When slew mode is enabled, the plane will stay still in place even in the air, and you can move it freely with key operations. When slew mode is disabled, the plane will resume flying from that location. This is not quite a camera, but it is included in the camera category on the MSFS settings screen.

How to switch cameras in MSFS

Cockpit / External camera switch

	MSFS2024	MSFS2020
Keybord	[BackSpace]	[End]
Controller	Xbox View/Back Button	Xbox View/Back Button
V1 FLIGHTSTICK	Xbox View/Back Button	Xbox View/Back Button

Drone camera switch

	MSFS2024	MSFS2020
Keybord	[Shift]+[X]	[Ins]
Controller	(Unassigned)	(Unassigned)
V1 FLIGHTSTICK	(Unassigned)	(Unassigned)

For MSFS2024

To switch cameras in MSFS2024, see the diagram below (click to enlarge).

• Basically, you can switch between the COCKPIT CAMERA and the EXTERNAL CAMERA with the [BackSpace] key, and switch between the DRONE CAMERA and the COCKPIT/EXTERNAL CAMERA with the [Shift]+[X] key. You can also switch to the INSTRUMENT VIEWS with [Shift]+[number] keys.
• In MSFS2024, there is no command assigned by default to directly call FIXED CAMERA. You can switch to FIXED CAMERA number 1 from the DRONE CAMERA by pressing the [BackSpace] key. You can switch FIXED CAMERA numbers by pressing [LB]+[Dpad R] on the controller.
• The INSTRUMENT VIEWS can be switched from the COCKPIT CAMERA, the EXTERNAL CAMERA, or the DRONE CAMERA. And for INSTRUMENT VIEWS, repeatedly selecting the same camera number will return to the original camera.
• The [Shift]+[X] key does not always work as shown above, but will return to the previously selected camera. For example, if you switch from the DRONE CAMERA to the FIXED CAMERA with the [BackSpace] key, then switch back to the COCKPIT CAMERA with the [Shift]+[X] keys, and then press [Shift]+[X] again, it will not switch to the DRONE CAMERA but will return to the FIXED CAMERA. In this case, pressing the [BackSpace] key will switch to the DRONE CAMERA.

For MSFS2020

To switch cameras in MSFS2020, see the diagram below (click to enlarge).

• Basically, you can switch between the COCKPIT CAMERA and the EXTERNAL CAMERA with the [End] key, and switch between the DRONE CAMERA and the COCKPIT/EXTERNAL CAMERA with the [Insert] key. You can also switch to the INSTRUMENT VIEWS with [Ctrl]+[number] keys, and switch to the FIXED CAMERA with [Ctrl]+[Shift]+[number] keys.
• For INSTRUMENT VIEWS and FIXED CAMERA, repeatedly selecting the same camera number will return to the original camera.
• FIXED CAMERA can only be switched from the EXTERNAL CAMERA.
• The INSTRUMENT VIEWS can be switched from the COCKPIT CAMERA, the EXTERNAL CAMERA, or the DRONE CAMERA.
• The [Insert] key does not always work as shown above, but will return to the previously selected camera. For example, if you switch from the EXTERNAL CAMERA to the FIXED CAMERA, and then switch back to the EXTERNAL CAMERA, pressing the [Insert] key will not switch to the DRONE CAMERA, but will return to the FIXED CAMERA. In this case, pressing the [End] key will switch to the DRONE CAMERA.

How to operate the COCKPIT CAMERA

The cockpit camera has a huge number of operating commands available. Here, we will introduce only the most commonly used and convenient operations.

Reset the camera to its original position and orientation

Resets the camera to its default viewpoint and line of sight.

Reset cockpit view

	MSFS2024	MSFS2020
Keybord	[Shift]+[Space]	[Ctrl]+[Space]
Controller	Right thum stick push	Right thum stick push
V1 FLIGHTSTICK	Analog POV Push	Analog POV Push

---

Look up, down, left and right

This corresponds to a pilot moving his head.

Cockpit look up/down/left/right

	MSFS2024	MSFS2020
Keybord	[Shift]+[I]/[K]/[J]/[L] or Arrow Key	[Shift]+Arrow Key
Controller	Right thum stick	Right thum stick
V1 FLIGHTSTICK	Analog POV	Analog POV

---

Move the camera up, down, left and right

This corresponds to the pilot moving.

Translate cockpit view up/down/left/right

	MSFS2024	MSFS2020
Keybord	[Shift]+[E]/[Q]/[A]/[D]	Arrow Key
Controller	up/down : [LT]/[RT], left/right : Left thum stick (Lockable)	up/down : [LT]/[RT], left/right : Left thum stick (Lockable)
V1 FLIGHTSTICK	(Unassigned)	(Unassigned)

---

Move the camera up a little

With one touch, move the camera slightly up to get a better view ahead. This feature seems to have been removed in MSFS2024.

Cockpit view upper

	MSFS2024	MSFS2020
Keybord	(none)	[Space]
Controller	(none)	(Unassigned)
V1 FLIGHTSTICK	(none)	(Unassigned)

---

Move the camera to the landing position

Move the camera slightly forward and up to get a good view of the runway when landing.
Each time you press the key shown in the diagram, the landing position will toggle on/off.
You can also save your favorite position as the landing position or reset the position.

Toggle landing cockpit mode

	MSFS2024	MSFS2020
Keybord	[Shift]+[F11]	[F11]
Controller	(Unassigned)	(Unassigned)
V1 FLIGHTSTICK	(Unassigned)	(Unassigned)

---

Move the camera forward and backward

The camera moves closer to or further away from the windshield.

Translate cockpit view forward/backward

	MSFS2024	MSFS2020
Keybord	[Shift]+[W]/[S]	[Alt]+[Up]/[Down]
Controller	(Unassigned)	Left thum stick (Lockable)
V1 FLIGHTSTICK	(Unassigned)	(Unassigned)

---

Zoom in / zoom out

This command is assigned to the keyboard only by default.

Zoom/unzoom cockpit view

	MSFS2024	MSFS2020
Keybord	[Shift]+[O]/[U] or [Shift]+[num +]/[num -]	[;]/[-]
Controller	(Unassigned)	(Unassigned)
V1 FLIGHTSTICK	(Unassigned)	(Unassigned)

---

Switch to Quick View

There are four different "Quick View" cameras that are fixed to look left, right, up, and behind you. Look in the direction only while you are pressing the key shown in the diagram. In MSFS2024 and the controller, only two commands, left and right, are assigned.

Cockpit quick view up/down/left/right

	MSFS2024	MSFS2020
Keybord	[Shift]+[F]/[H]	[Ctrl]+Arrow Key
Controller	[LB]+Directional Pad Left/Right	[LB]+Directional Pad Left/Right
V1 FLIGHTSTICK	(Unassigned)	Digital 8-way POV Left/Right

---

Custom Camera

You can save and recall cameras facing any direction inside the aircraft. Ten different viewpoints, numbered 1 through 10, can be saved and recalled. There is also a command to save the current camera position as a custom camera. Only calls camera 1-4 are assigned on an MSFS2024 keyboard. Only call camera 1 is assigned on an MSFS2020 controller.

Load custom camera

	MSFS2024	MSFS2020
Keybord	[Shift]+[F1]~[F4]	[Alt]+[1]~[0]
Controller	(Unassigned)	[LB]+[Y]
V1 FLIGHTSTICK	(Unassigned)	(Unassigned)

How to operate the EXTERNAL CAMERA

Reset the camera to its original position and orientation

Resets the camera to its default viewpoint and line of sight.

Reset external view

	MSFS2024	MSFS2020
Keybord	[Shift]+[Space]	[Ctrl]+[Space]
Controller	Right thum stick push	Right thum stick push
V1 FLIGHTSTICK	Analog POV Push	Analog POV Push

---

Move the camera up, down, left and right

The camera moves around the plane.

External view look up/down/left/right

	MSFS2024	MSFS2020
Keybord	[Shift]+[I]/[K]/[J]/[L] or Arrow Key	[Shift]+Arrow Key
Controller	Right thum stick	Right thum stick
V1 FLIGHTSTICK	Analog POV	Analog POV

---

Zoom in / zoom out

This command is assigned to the keyboard only by default.

Zoom/unzoom external view

	MSFS2024	MSFS2020
Keybord	[Shift]+[O]/[U] or [Shift]+[num +]/[num -]	[;]/[-]
Controller	(Unassigned)	(Unassigned)
V1 FLIGHTSTICK	(Unassigned)	(Unassigned)

---

Switch to Quick View

There are four "Quick View" cameras, with fixed camera positions to the left, right, top, and back. Look in the direction only while you are pressing the key shown in the diagram.

External quick view top/rear/left/right

	MSFS2024	MSFS2020
Keybord	[Shift]+[G]/[T]/[H]/[F]	[Ctrl]+Arrow Key
Controller	[LB]+Directional Pad	[LB]+Directional Pad
V1 FLIGHTSTICK	(Unassigned)	Digital 8-way POV

How to operate the INSTRUMENT VIEWS

Select cameras 1 to 10

Simultaneously press the right or left [Shift]/[Ctrl] key and one of the keys [1]-[0] on the full keyboard. In MSFS2024, you can also use the numeric keypad instead of a full keyboard.

Toggle instrument view

	MSFS2024	MSFS2020
Keybord	[Shift]+[1]~[0] or [Shift]+num[1]~[0]	[Ctrl]+[1]~[0]
Controller	(Unassigned)	(Unassigned)
V1 FLIGHTSTICK	(Unassigned)	(Unassigned)

---

Select the next camera

Each time you press the key shown in the diagram, it switches to the camera with the next number.

Next instrument view

	MSFS2024	MSFS2020
Keybord	[Shift]+[H]	[A]
Controller	[LB]+Directional Pad Right	[LB]+Directional Pad Right
V1 FLIGHTSTICK	(Unassigned)	(Unassigned)

---

Select the previous camera

Each time you press the key shown in the figure, it will switch to the camera with the previous number.

Previous instrument view

	MSFS2024	MSFS2020
Keybord	[Shift]+[F]	[Shift]+[A]
Controller	[LB]+Directional Pad Left	[LB]+Directional Pad Left
V1 FLIGHTSTICK	(Unassigned)	(Unassigned)

---

Return to the original camera

To exit the INSTRUMENT VIEWS and return to the original camera, select the same numbered INSTRUMENT VIEWS again.

How to operate the FIXED CAMERA

Select cameras 1 to 10

In MSFS2020, simultaneously press the right or left [Ctrl] key, [Shift] key and one of the keys [1]-[0] on the full keyboard. In MSFS2024, no commands are assigned by default.

Toggle fixed camera

	MSFS2024	MSFS2020
Keybord	(Unassigned)	[Ctrl]+[Shift]+[1]~[0]
Controller	(Unassigned)	(Unassigned)
V1 FLIGHTSTICK	(Unassigned)	(Unassigned)

---

Select the next camera

Each time you press the key shown in the diagram, it switches to the camera with the next number. In MSFS2024, by default it can only be operated with a controller.

Next fixed camera

	MSFS2024	MSFS2020
Keybord	(Unassigned)	[A]
Controller	[LB]+Directional Pad Right	[LB]+Directional Pad Right
V1 FLIGHTSTICK	(Unassigned)	(Unassigned)

---

Select the previous camera

Each time you press the key shown in the figure, it will switch to the camera with the previous number. In MSFS2024, no commands are assigned by default.

Previous fixed camera

	MSFS2024	MSFS2020
Keybord	(Unassigned)	[Shift]+[A]
Controller	(Unassigned)	[LB]+Directional Pad Left
V1 FLIGHTSTICK	(Unassigned)	(Unassigned)

---

Return to the original camera

To exit the FIXED CAMERA and return to the original camera, select the same numbered FIXED CAMERA again.

How to operate the DRONE CAMERA

Drone cameras come with a huge number of control commands. Here, we will introduce only the most commonly used and useful commands.

Reset the camera to its original position and orientation

Resets the camera to its default viewpoint and line of sight.

Reset drone target offset

	MSFS2024	MSFS2020
Keybord	[R]	[num 5]
Controller	[LB]+Right thum stick push	[X]+[A]
V1 FLIGHTSTICK	(Unassigned)	(Unassigned)

---

Look up, down, left and right

Pitch/yaw drone up/down/left/right

	MSFS2024	MSFS2020
Keybord	[I]/[K]/[J]/[L] or Arrow Key	[num 8/2/4/6]
Controller	Right thum stick	Right thum stick
V1 FLIGHTSTICK	(Unassigned)	(Unassigned)

---

Point the camera straight down

Drone topdown view

	MSFS2024	MSFS2020
Keybord	[F]	[Ctrl]+[Space]
Controller	Directional Pad Down	[X]+[Y]
V1 FLIGHTSTICK	(Unassigned)	(Unassigned)

---

Move the camera up, down, left and right

Use the [E][Q]/[R][F] keys to move up and down, and the [A][D] keys to move left and right.

Translate drone up/down/left/right

	MSFS2024	MSFS2020
Keybord	[E]/[Q]/[A]/[D]	[R]/[F]/[A]/[D]
Controller	up/down : [RT]/[LT], left/right : Left thum stick	up/down : [RT]/[LT], left/right : Left thum stick
V1 FLIGHTSTICK	(Unassigned)	(Unassigned)

---

Move the camera forward and backward

Translate drone forward/backward

	MSFS2024	MSFS2020
Keybord	[W]/[S]	[W]/[S]
Controller	Left thum stick	Left thum stick
V1 FLIGHTSTICK	(Unassigned)	(Unassigned)

---

Zoom in / zoom out

Increase/decrease drone zoom

	MSFS2024	MSFS2020
Keybord	[Shift]+[O]/[U]	[num +]/[num -]
Controller	[Y]+[RT]/[LT]	[Y]+[RT]/[LT]
V1 FLIGHTSTICK	(Unassigned)	(Unassigned)

---

Roll the camera

Roll drone left/right

	MSFS2024	MSFS2020
Keybord	[O]/[U]	[num 7]/[num 9]
Controller	[LB]+Right thum stick Left/Right	[LB]/[RB]
V1 FLIGHTSTICK	(Unassigned)	(Unassigned)

---

Reset camera roll (level)

Reset drone roll

	MSFS2024	MSFS2020
Keybord	[Shift]+[Space]	[Space]
Controller	Right thum stick Push	[LB]+[RB]
V1 FLIGHTSTICK	(Unassigned)	(Unassigned)

---

Enable/disable plane control

Each time you press the key shown in the diagram, plane control will be enabled/disabled. When enabled, you can control the plane while using the drone camera. However, instruments will not be displayed. When the game starts, it is disabled.
In MSFS2024, no commands are assigned by default.

Toggle plane controlls

	MSFS2024	MSFS2020
Keybord	(Unassigned)	[C]
Controller	(Unassigned)	(Unassigned)
V1 FLIGHTSTICK	(Unassigned)	(Unassigned)

---

Increase or decrease the camera movement speed

Increase ([F6])/decrease ([F5]) the camera movement speed, i.e. the drone flight speed.

Increase/decrease drone translation speed

	MSFS2024	MSFS2020
Keybord	[Shift]+[T]/[G] or [F6]/[F5]	[F6]/[F5]
Controller	[RB]+[A]/[B]	[X]+[LT]/[RT]
V1 FLIGHTSTICK	(Unassigned)	(Unassigned)

---

Increase or decrease the camera rotation speed

Increase ([F8])/decrease ([F7]) the camera rotation speed, i.e. how quickly the drone turns left and right.

Increase/decrease drone rotation speed

	MSFS2024	MSFS2020
Keybord	[Shift]+[R]/[F] or [F8]/[F7]	[F8]/[F7]
Controller	[RB]+Directional Pad Up/Down	[X]+[LB]/[RB]
V1 FLIGHTSTICK	(Unassigned)	(Unassigned)

---

Set camera exposure to automatic or increase/decrease

Setting exposure to auto will automatically adjust brightness to match the brightness of the scene. Increasing exposure will make the screen darker, and decreasing exposure will make the screen brighter.

Increase/decrease drone exposure

	MSFS2024	MSFS2020
Keybord	Auto [2] or [Shift][F4] / increase [T] or [Shift]+[F3] / decrease [G] or [Shift]+[F2]	Auto [Ctrl]+[F4] / increase [Ctrl]+[F3] / decrease [Ctrl]+[F2]
Controller	Auto [X]+Directional Pad Up / increase [X]+[RB] / decrease [X]+[LB]	Auto [Y]+Left Thum Stick Push / increase [Y]+[RB] / decrease [Y]+[LB]
V1 FLIGHTSTICK	(Unassigned)	(Unassigned)

---

Set camera depth of field to enable or increase/decrease

Enabling depth of field ([F1]) limits the range in focus. Increasing it ([F3]) widens the range in focus, and decreasing it ([F2]) narrows the range in focus.

Increase/decrease drone depth of field

	MSFS2024	MSFS2020
Keybord	toggle [3] or [F1] / increase [Y] or [F3] / decrease [H] or [F2]	toggle [F1] / increase [F3] / decrease [F2]
Controller	increase [LB]+[RT] / decrease [LB]+[LT]	toggle [B]+[Y] / increase [B]+[RT] / decrease [B]+[LT]
V1 FLIGHTSTICK	(Unassigned)	(Unassigned)

How to operate the SLEW MODE

Enable/disable SLEW MODE

Each time you press the key shown in the figure, SLEW MODE will be enabled/disabled.

Toggle slew mode

	MSFS2024	MSFS2020
Keybord	[Shift]+[Z]	[Y]
Controller	(Unassigned)	(Unassigned)
V1 FLIGHTSTICK	(Unassigned)	(Unassigned)

---

Move the aircraft forward, backward, left and right

Slew translate forward/backward/left/right

	MSFS2024	MSFS2020
Keybord	[W]/[S]/[A]/[D]	[num 8/2/4/6]
Controller	Left thum stick	Left thum stick
V1 FLIGHTSTICK	(Unassigned)	(Unassigned)

---

Point the nose up, down, left, right

Slew yaw left/right and pitch up/down

	MSFS2024	MSFS2020
Keybord	[J]/[L]/[I]/[K] or [num 4/6/0/Del]/	[num 1]/[num 3]/[9]/[num 0]
Controller	Right thum stick	Right thum stick
V1 FLIGHTSTICK	(Unassigned)	(Unassigned)

---

Roll the aircraft left and right

Slew roll left/right

	MSFS2024	MSFS2020
Keybord	[U]/[O] or [num 7]/[num 9]	[num 7]/[num 9]
Controller	[LB]+Right thum stick	(Unassigned)
V1 FLIGHTSTICK	(Unassigned)	(Unassigned)

---

Move the aircraft up and down at high speed

Slew translate up/down (fast)

	MSFS2024	MSFS2020
Keybord	[Shift]+[E]/[Q] or [F4]/[F1]	[F4]/[F1]
Controller	(Unassigned)	(Unassigned)
V1 FLIGHTSTICK	(Unassigned)	(Unassigned)

---

Move the aircraft slowly up and down

Slew translate up/down (slow)

	MSFS2024	MSFS2020
Keybord	[Ctrl]+[E]/[Q] or [F3]	[F3]/[A]
Controller	(Unassigned)	(Unassigned)
V1 FLIGHTSTICK	(Unassigned)	(Unassigned)

---

Point the nose up and down rapidly

Slew pitch up/down (fast)

	MSFS2024	MSFS2020
Keybord	[Shift]+[I]/[K] or [F5]/[F8]	[F5]/[F8]
Controller	(Unassigned)	(Unassigned)
V1 FLIGHTSTICK	(Unassigned)	(Unassigned)

---

Slowly point the nose up and down

In MSFS2020, only nose up is set.

Slew pitch up (slow)

	MSFS2024	MSFS2020
Keybord	[Ctrl]+[I]/[K] or [F7]	[F7]
Controller	(Unassigned)	(Unassigned)
V1 FLIGHTSTICK	(Unassigned)	(Unassigned)

---

Prevent horizontal movement on the X/Y axis

Slew X/Y axis translation freeze

	MSFS2024	MSFS2020
Keybord	[1]/[2] or [num 5]/[F2]	[num 5]/[F2]
Controller	(Unassigned)	(Unassigned)
V1 FLIGHTSTICK	(Unassigned)	(Unassigned)

---

Prohibit nose movement up and down

Slew pitch freeze

	MSFS2024	MSFS2020
Keybord	[3] or [F6]	[F6]
Controller	(Unassigned)	(Unassigned)
V1 FLIGHTSTICK	(Unassigned)	(Unassigned)

How to enjoy Microsoft Flight Simulator

• Introduction to Microsoft Flight Simulator for Beginners
• Useful settings for Microsoft Flight Simulator
• How to use the flight recorder to record and save MSFS operations
• Can you enjoy Microsoft Flight Simulator without a GPU? What are the minimum requirements?
• Add free add-ons (planes-airports-scenery) to MSFS How to use flightsim.to
• How to purchase paid add-ons (planes, airports, scenery) on the MSFS Marketplace
• Save MSFS scenery data in cache to reduce internet traffic, how to use rolling cache and manual cache
• How to use FSLTL to add real traffic to MSFS
• How to download and install MSFS SDK, Blender, plugin, tools
• How to use glTF-Blender-IO-MSFS to export and import 3D data between Blender and MSFS
• How to create a project for MSFS SDK/Create a project for Google Earth Decoder
• How to use Google Earth Decoder to create MSFS scenery on Google Maps
• How to use the Turtle Beach VelocityOne Flightstick