Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is one of the most realistic flight simulators ever created. Whether you're flying a light aircraft over the Scottish Highlands, completing IFR procedures in an Airbus A320, or embarking on a ten-hour transatlantic journey in a Boeing 787, there's an incredible amount happening in the cockpit at any given moment.
That realism is exactly what makes Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 so rewarding—but it's also what makes it demanding. Hundreds of controls, countless keyboard shortcuts, camera commands, navigation tools and aircraft systems all compete for your attention. Even experienced virtual pilots often find themselves pausing to remember which key activates a particular function or scrambling through menus whilst trying to maintain stable flight.
That's where a dedicated Microsoft Flight Simulator shortcut keyboard can completely transform your experience. Rather than relying on memory or constantly searching online for key combinations, every important shortcut is clearly labelled on the keyboard itself, allowing you to stay focused on flying instead of hunting for controls.
Let's take a look at why so many flight simulator enthusiasts are upgrading their cockpit with a dedicated shortcut keyboard.
Spend Less Time Looking for Controls
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 includes an enormous number of keyboard shortcuts.
From changing camera views and interacting with ATC to adjusting trim, autopilot, flaps, landing gear, lights, fuel systems and navigation aids, there are simply too many commands for most people to remember.
Many pilots end up doing one of three things:
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Constantly pausing the simulator
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Keeping a printed shortcut guide beside them
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Opening the controls menu every few minutes
None of these options feels particularly immersive.
A dedicated Microsoft Flight Simulator keyboard removes this problem completely. Every important shortcut is printed directly onto the relevant key, meaning you always know where a command lives without needing to stop and think.
Instead of wondering:
"What was the shortcut for toggling the landing lights again?"
You simply glance down and press the labelled key. Over time you'll find yourself using more of Flight Simulator's features simply because they're easier to access.
Build Muscle Memory Much Faster
One of the biggest advantages of a shortcut keyboard isn't just seeing the shortcuts—it's learning them naturally. The more you fly, the more your hands begin to remember where important controls are located. After a few weeks, you'll often find yourself pressing frequently used commands without even looking.
This muscle memory has a surprisingly big impact during busy stages of flight.
Think about a typical landing:
- You're monitoring your airspeed.
- Adjusting flaps.
- Talking to ATC.
- Checking your approach.
- Lowering landing gear.
- Managing spoilers.
- Watching your descent rate.
- Making small trim corrections.
The last thing you want is to be wondering which key performs a particular action.
Because the shortcuts remain in consistent, clearly labelled positions, they quickly become second nature. Professional pilots rely heavily on muscle memory in real aircraft, and while Microsoft Flight Simulator is a simulation, developing that same instinctive workflow makes flying feel smoother and more enjoyable.
Stay Immersed in the Flight
Immersion is one of the biggest reasons people love Microsoft Flight Simulator. With detailed aircraft, realistic weather, live traffic and beautifully recreated scenery, it's easy to lose yourself in the experience. Unfortunately, that immersion disappears the moment you need to:
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Pause the simulator
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Search Google
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Open a PDF shortcut guide
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Scroll through settings menus
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Watch a YouTube tutorial just to remember one command
Every interruption pulls you out of the cockpit.
A dedicated shortcut keyboard helps keep you in the moment. Instead of breaking concentration, every command is available right in front of you.
Long-haul flights become more relaxing because you're interacting with the aircraft naturally rather than fighting the interface. It feels closer to operating a real cockpit where controls are always exactly where you expect them to be.
Access Important Controls Instantly
Flight Simulator isn't a game where speed always matters—but there are plenty of situations where quick reactions make flying far easier.
For example:
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Switching external and cockpit views
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Activating the parking brake
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Toggling autopilot
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Adjusting camera positions
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Managing landing gear
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Controlling flaps
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Opening ATC communications
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Adjusting trim
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Changing navigation displays
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Managing lights
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Accessing drone camera controls
With a dedicated shortcut keyboard, these commands are immediately accessible. You're no longer trying to remember unusual key combinations or hunting across the keyboard. Everything is logically organised and clearly labelled, allowing your workflow to remain smooth from take-off to landing.
Reduce Workload During Long Flights
Many Microsoft Flight Simulator fans enjoy long flights lasting several hours. Whether you're flying across Europe or completing a realistic long-haul airline route, cockpit workload naturally changes throughout the journey. During cruise you may be managing systems, checking weather, adjusting cameras or preparing your arrival. As you approach descent, the pace quickly increases again.
Having a shortcut keyboard helps reduce the mental effort required to manage all these tasks. Instead of remembering dozens—or even hundreds—of keyboard commands, the keyboard becomes your reference guide. This reduces fatigue over longer sessions because your brain can concentrate on flying rather than memorising controls.
Many sim pilots discover they become noticeably more confident simply because they spend less time second-guessing themselves.
Enjoy a Cleaner, More Organised Flight Sim Setup
Flight simulator setups often become surprisingly cluttered.
You may already have:
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A yoke or HOTAS
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Rudder pedals
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Throttle quadrant
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Radio panel
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Stream Deck
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Head tracking
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Multiple monitors
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Tablet for charts
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Printed checklists
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Printed keyboard shortcut sheets
It's easy for your desk to become crowded.
A dedicated shortcut keyboard replaces printed reference guides and cheat sheets by putting the information exactly where it's needed. Everything is built directly into the keyboard. Your workspace looks cleaner, feels more professional and becomes easier to use during long flying sessions.
Fly Comfortably at Night with Editors Keys
If you're looking to get more from Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, the Editors Keys AB10 Core Wired USB-C Backlit Keyboard is designed with sim pilots in mind.
Instead of relying on memory or keeping a printed list of shortcuts nearby, the keyboard has the most important Microsoft Flight Simulator commands printed directly onto the keys. Frequently used controls for cameras, aircraft systems, autopilot, navigation, lighting, landing gear and many other functions are always visible, helping you execute commands quickly without breaking your concentration.
This can make a noticeable difference during busy phases of flight, such as departure, approach and landing, where there's already plenty demanding your attention. Rather than stopping to search through menus or trying to remember complex key combinations, you can simply glance down, find the command and continue flying.
The AB10 Core also features a comfortable wired USB-C connection, providing a reliable, low-latency experience that's ideal for dedicated simulator setups. Its integrated backlighting keeps every shortcut easy to read during evening flights or in darker cockpit environments, with three levels of backlighting, allowing you to maintain immersion without switching on additional lights.
Whether you're just beginning your Flight Simulator journey or you're an experienced virtual pilot looking to streamline your workflow, the Editors Keys AB10 Core helps you spend less time searching for controls and more time enjoying the skies.
Wired or Wireless? Choose the Setup That Suits You
Editors Keys offers both wired and wireless versions of its Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 shortcut keyboards. The wired version is ideal for permanent cockpit setups where reliability and simplicity are key. Simply plug it in and you're ready to fly without worrying about batteries or charging.
The wireless backlit version offers greater flexibility for sim pilots who like a tidy desk or frequently move their setup. It also features adjustable backlighting, making it an excellent choice for evening flights, dedicated simulator cockpits and anyone who values a clean, cable-free workspace.
Whichever version you choose, you'll benefit from the same clearly printed Microsoft Flight Simulator shortcuts designed to speed up your workflow and make flying more enjoyable.
Perfect for Every Type of Virtual Pilot
One of the best things about a dedicated shortcut keyboard is that it benefits almost every Flight Simulator user.
New pilots
Learning Microsoft Flight Simulator can feel overwhelming at first. A shortcut keyboard makes discovering and remembering controls much easier, helping new pilots build confidence from their very first flight.
Experienced simmers
Even seasoned pilots forget shortcuts they don't use every day. Having commands visible helps streamline complex procedures and speeds up cockpit workflows.
Airliner enthusiasts
Commercial aircraft involve dozens of repetitive tasks during every flight. Faster access to key controls makes managing arrivals, departures and cruise operations much more efficient.
General aviation pilots
Whether you're flying a Cessna, Piper or Diamond aircraft, having camera controls, navigation functions and aircraft systems immediately available lets you spend more time enjoying the scenery and less time navigating menus.
VR users
Finding the correct keys without removing your headset can be frustrating. A shortcut keyboard makes locating commands much easier thanks to consistent key positions and clearly organised layouts. If you choose the backlit version, the illuminated keys provide an extra level of visibility for those moments when you briefly peek beneath the headset.
A Small Upgrade That Makes Every Flight Better
Some upgrades completely change how you experience Microsoft Flight Simulator. A dedicated shortcut keyboard is one of them. It won't make your aircraft fly faster or improve your landing scores overnight, but it will remove countless small frustrations that interrupt your flights. You'll spend less time searching, memorising and pausing. And far more time actually enjoying the simulator.
Whether you're learning the basics, practising IFR procedures or completing realistic long-haul flights, a Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 shortcut keyboard helps make every session smoother, more immersive and more enjoyable.
If you're looking to upgrade your simulator setup, the Editors Keys Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 wired and wireless backlit shortcut keyboards are a simple investment that can improve every flight from the moment you take off.
