Key Mapping (FSX)

Applicable
MS Flight
FSXA
FSX
FS2004
FS2002

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.

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).
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, (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'.

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

• Key Mapping (FSXA)
• Keys - Listing - Default Types (FSXA)

• Problem Resolving (FSX) - A selection of hints & tips for resolving those issues & configuring FSX.