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).
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, (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

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

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