Keyboard function priority list

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Revision as of 19:47, 27 April 2013 by Johan G (talk | contribs) (Template:Key press)
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Request for Comments:
Cquote1.png My point of view is that the current keybindings file is a mess, with many historical bindings, and also it binds in the ASCII space, as opposed to the scan code space, so we can't distinguish keypad vs normal number keys, and various other combinations, even though osgViewer supports that.

My *personal* feeling is that unless it's something the > 50% of users use *each flight*, it shouldn't be a keybinding. So flaps, trim, CDI/HSI heading, fine, but things to change view distance or FoV seem unnecessary to me.

The other issue is the keybindings are effectively 'full' (we can't easily add more), because they've been added and added over the years, but rarely removed, so at this point every key 'does something', but often something quite obscure.

What I'd like to see is the entire 'Ctrl' (Command on Mac) space reserved for GUI functions, like a normal application - Ctrl-Q for quit, Ctrl-M for map dialog, Ctrl-A for autopilot dialog, Ctrl-R for replay dialog (or radios dialog :) - then have a complete discussion about which key-bindings make sense on

the main keyboard. This is basically a usability discussion, so everyone will have strong opinions :)[1]
— James Turner
Cquote2.png
  1. James Turner (Sun, 03 Mar 2013). Keyboard bindings.

As a first step in the keyboard refactoring, we need to come up with a prioritized list of functions that (a) are general enough to apply to most (or at least many) aircraft, and (b) are important enough to justify a keyboard shortcut rather than just a menu/dialog or a model hotspot.

Feel free to add to the list, but please don't delete anything — just move it to the bottom if you don't think it's important.

As we'll probably not want to change too many existing key-bindings, The current CVS key-binding is also listed in brackets.

  • Program
    • Pause P
    • Exit Esc
    • Show/Hide menu F10
  • Primary flight controls
    • ailerons / , 4 / 6
    • elevator / , 8 / 2
    • rudder 0 / Enter, Insert
    • centre controls 5
  • Primary powerplant
    • throttle — for helicopters, should the same key control the collective? 3 / 9, Page up / Page down
    • Winch / Aerotow (begin winching, open hitch etc)
  • View controls
    • view reset Ctrl+V
    • look left/right Shift+4 / Shift+6
    • look up/down
    • look forward/backwad Shift+8 / Shift+2
    • zoom in/out X / Shift+X
    • change view type — e.g. cockpit, chase plane, tower, etc. V / Shift+V
  • Secondary flight controls
    • flaps extend/retract [ / ]
    • landing gear raise/retract G / Shift+G
    • elevator trim up/down 1 / 7, Home / End
    • speed brakes extend/retract Ctrl+B
    • spoilers extend/retract J / K
    • slats extend/retract
    • toggle tailwheel lock 1
    • differential toe brakes left/right , / .
    • parking brake Shift+B
    • drag chute deploy/jettison
    • aileron trim left/right
    • rudder trim left/right
  • Secondary powerplant
    • mixture — piston aircraft only Shit+M / M
    • propeller — some piston aircraft only Shift+N / N
    • carburettor heat — some piston aircraft only
    • magneto/ignition selection { / }
    • Select engines ~ / @ / ! / # / $ (Note: These keys are problematic on some keyboard layouts, e.g. Swedish where IIRC '~', '@' and'$' are at inconvenient locations. Is there a way to capture number key + shift instead of whatever "strange" symbol the English keyboard layout maps to that key?)
  • Autopilot
    • engage/disengage
    • toggle heading mode Ctrl+H
    • toggle altitude mode Ctrl+A
    • toggle wing leveller Ctrl+W
    • toggle speed mode (auto-throttle) Ctrl+S
    • autotrim engage/disengage
  • Comms
    • open/close text based chat console
    • PTT switch Space
    • active/standby com/nav channel swap
  • Weapons
    • fire primary weapon
    • fire secondary weapon
    • select secondary weapon
    • jettison store
  • Miscellaneous
    • hoist deploy (helicopters)
    • hoist up/down
    • hoist jettison
    • water/cargo release
    • carrier launch bar engage
    • carrier catapult release
    • hook up/down (compatible A/C all modern jet fighters have a hook)
    • canopy toggle
    • seat up/down/default

Things that don't require key bindings:

  • throw turkey out of window (Les Nessman only)
  • change viewing styles (dynamic view and g-force based view where supported)