Key Mapping (FSX)
A collection of Key-Mapping issues & fixes for FSX and FSX Acceleration.
If you are using FSX Acceleration,
and Catapult/Arrestor Ops, Hoist/Sling Ops, or Multiplayer Racing activities fail to respond to keys,
you must correct that issue first, before applying any tweaks listed below.
Please see - Key Mapping (FSXA) for FSX Acceleration correction info.
Contents
Key-Mapping
The keystroke commands which allow you to interact with FSX
are stored in an xml file named Standard.xml.
Locating Standard.xml
Warning -
Do not use/edit the installation backup copy of Standard.xml located in your FSX root folder.
The installation backup copy version contains additional information for all manufacturers hardware types, (joysticks/yokes/pedals/joypads/etc.).
You should only ammend the working-copy of Standard.xml
The working-copy version is specific to your installed hardware.
The working-copy of Standard.xml is located in your user profile, at -
OS | Standard.xml location |
XP | C:\Documents and Settings\USERNAME\Application Data\Microsoft\FSX\Controls\ |
Vista | C:\Users\USERNAME\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\FSX\Controls\ |
Editing Standard.xml
Warning -
Any edits must be made with a text-editor, e.g. Notepad.
Do not use a formatting-editor, e.g. Word or Wordpad, as it may corrupt the file.
Warning -
Any edits must be made with FSX shutdown.
Available Keys
To find key combinations available for mapping your assignment - Keys - Listing - Default Types (FSXA).
Displaying airport names
Issue
Difficult to identify and locate airports in unfamiliar areas.
Solution
The airport's name can be displayed above airports. (Undocumented feature of FSX).
Places a red airport name label, visible -
- Range maximum 20nm
- Approximately 1500' above airport reference point.
- Through terrain.
- User aircraft must be higher than the airport reference point, (otherwise airport-label disappears).
Edit the file Standard.xml as explained above.
Add the following code to the first SimControls.Map group, (KEYBOARD_MAIN section at the very top of the file).
<Entry> <Key>CTRL+SHIFT+P</Key> <Down>TOGGLE_AIRPORT_NAME_DISPLAY</Down> </Entry>
CTRL+SHIFT+P will now toggle the display of 'Airport Labels'.
Multiplayer
For multiplayer use, suggest changing user/ai aircraft label's colour to yellow,
as the airport name label's red colour is not changeable.
Credits
Credit to Lamont Clarke, (lc0277).
Key-mapping ammended due to clash with FSX Acceleration key-mapping.
Wing-Fold
Issue
To enable aircraft wing-fold, for any wingfold enabled model, (e.g. for FSX Acceleration FA-18A).
Solution
Edit the file Standard.xml as explained above.
Add the following code to the first SimControls.Map group, (at the very top of the file).
<Entry> <Key>CTRL+SHIFT+K</Key> <Down>TOGGLE_WING_FOLD</Down> </Entry>
KEY_TOGGLE_WING_FOLD or KEY_SET_WING_FOLD could also be utilised to fold an aircraft tail.
Tailhook
Issue
For non-Acceleration users only, (already incorporated in Acceleration key map).
To enable aircraft tailhook, for any tailhook enabled model, .
Solution
Edit the file Standard.xml as explained above.
Add the following code to the first SimControls.Map group, (at the very top of the file).
<Entry> <Key>SHIFT+Q</Key> <Down>TOGGLE_TAIL_HOOK_HANDLE</Down> </Entry>
GPWS
Issue
Annoyed by the don't sink or terrain callouts ?
Solution
Ultimate method for GPWS control -
Open up the settings -> controls -> buttons menu in FSX.
Select 'systems' in the event category drop down
Find an assignment called 'GPWS(Toggle)'
Assign a key to this and you'll be able to silence the GPWS system at will.
Related
- Problem Resolving (FSX) - A selection of hints & tips for resolving those issues & configuring FSX.