Key commands compared to other simulators

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When coming from an other simulator, FlightGear's key commands might be confusing at first. To help you get started, some of the essential commands are listed on this page with the respective keys from various simulators.

Simulator commands

Action	FlightGear	MSFS X	X-Plane
Pause	p	p, Break	p
Menus display/hide	F10, appears when the mouse pointer is at the top of the window	Appears when the mouse pointer is at the top of the window	Alt
Exit Flight Simulator	Esc	Ctrl+c
Capture Screenshot	F3	⇧ Shift+V	Ctrl+.

Control surface commands

Action	FlightGear	MSFS X	X-Plane
Ailerons (bank left)	NumPad 4, ←	NumPad 4
Ailerons (bank right)	NumPad 6, →	NumPad 6
Rudder (yaw left)	NumPad 0	NumPad 0
Rudder (yaw right)	NumPad Enter	NumPad Enter
Center Ailerons and Rudder	NumPad 5	NumPad 5	9 (ailerons) and 6 (rudder)
Pitch Down (elevator)	NumPad 8, ↑	NumPad 8
Pitch Up (elevator)	NumPad 2, ↓	NumPad 2
Elevator Trim Down	NumPad 7	NumPad 7	]
Elevator Trim Up	NumPad 1	NumPad 1	[
Flaps (retract incrementally)	[	F6	1
Flaps (extend incrementally)	]	F7	2

Engine commands

Action	FlightGear	MSFS X	X-Plane
Reverse Thrust (turboprops/jets)	Delete (on/off)	F2 (press and hold)	. (on/off)
Throttle (decrease)	PgDn	F2 or NumPad 3	F1
Throttle (increase)	PgUp	F3 or NumPad 9	F2

General aircraft commands

Action	FlightGear	MSFS X	X-Plane
Brakes (apply left brake)	,	Numpad +
Brakes (apply right brake)	.	Numpad -
Landing Gear (extend/retract)	g/⇧ Shift+g	g	⇧ Shift+g

View commands

Action	FlightGear	MSFS X	X-Plane
View (default zoom)	Ctrl+X	← Backspace
Zoom In	x	=	= (normal), ⇧ Shift+= (fast)
Zoom Out	⇧ Shift+X	-	- (normal), ⇧ Shift+- (fast)

References Help for MSFS users. Published by X-Plane. Retrieved 27 February 2012.