Game Tips - Microsoft Flight Simulator

Game Tips for Microsoft Flight Simulator

This guide provides a comprehensive collection of tips for Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020 edition), organized by skill level and focus area. Whether you're a beginner just learning to taxi or an advanced sim pilot optimizing for realism, these actionable tips will enhance your experience.

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Beginner Tips: Getting Airborne

These tips are essential for players who are new to flight simulation or returning after a long break.

#### 1. Start with the Cessna 152 or Icon A5

Tip: Use the default Cessna 152 or the Icon A5 for your first few flights. These aircraft are simple, forgiving, and have low stall speeds.

Why it works: Complex aircraft like the Airbus A320 or Boeing 747 have advanced systems (FMC, autothrottle, etc.) that can overwhelm a new player. The Cessna teaches basic concepts: pitch for airspeed, power for altitude, and coordinated turns.

When to use: Until you can take off, maintain altitude, and land consistently without crashing.

Tip: Press Pause/Break key (or Ctrl+.) to freeze the simulation, then press Y to enter Slew mode (instant repositioning). Use arrow keys to move the aircraft.

Why it works: Active Pause stops time, allowing you to study instruments or plan your next move without crashing. Slew mode lets you reposition to practice specific phases like final approach.

When to use: While learning instrument scanning, or if you stray off course and want to reset quickly.

Tip: In the Assistance Options menu, set \"Takeoff Assist\", \"Landing Assist\", and \"Taxi Assist\" to Full. Disable crash detection initially.

Why it works: This automated help reduces the learning curve for critical phases. You can focus on general flying using the controller/yoke rather than precise rudder control.

When to use: First 5–10 hours, then gradually reduce assistance to \"Limited\" or \"Hard\" as you improve.

Tip: Use elevator trim (mouse wheel or assigned keys) to relieve control pressure in level flight. The Cessna 152’s trim wheel is on the center pedestal.

Why it works: Properly trimmed aircraft maintains altitude hands-off, reducing workload. It also makes approach smoother.

When to use: After reaching cruise altitude; during descent, re-trim for attitude changes.

Tip: Use Shift+Enter to zoom in, Shift+Backspace to zoom out. Middle mouse button to pan. Insert/Delete to change cockpit camera position.

Why it works: Adjusting your view is crucial for spotting runway markers, checking instruments, or looking for traffic.

When to use: Pre-takeoff checks, pattern work, and landing.

Intermediate Tips: Mastering Systems and Navigation

Tip: Tune a VOR frequency (e.g., 113.40 for a local VOR) on the NAV radio, set the OBS (Omni Bearing Selector) to the desired radial, and fly to intercept.

Why it works: VORs are the backbone of navigation before modern GPS. Even in MSFS, many missions rely on them. Understanding radials and CDI needle deflection builds navigation skills.

When to use: Cross-country flights without direct-to GPS; practice in Free Flight with low weather.

Tip: In aircraft with Garmin G1000 (e.g., Cessna 172 G1000), press FPL to enter flight plan waypoints. Use Direct-To button (green arrow) to fly directly to a waypoint.

Why it works: The G1000 is the most common glass cockpit in MSFS. Feeling comfortable with it unlocks many add-on aircraft and enables GPS-based approaches.

When to use: Flight planning for any cross-country; it reduces workload compared to VOR tuning.

Tip: Press ~ (tilde) or the default '1' key to open ATC menu. Request IFR clearance before departure, then follow headings and altitudes given.

Why it works: ATC vectors you through controlled airspace, helping you learn proper phraseology and expect approaches. It also reduces risk of traffic conflicts in multiplayer.

When to use: When you want realistic procedures or are flying in busy airspace (e.g., KLAX, KJFK).

Tip: In constant-speed propeller aircraft (e.g., Mooney M20), the blue lever is propeller RPM, black is mixture, red is throttle. Set full RPM for takeoff (2700), then reduce to 2400 for cruise.

Why it works: Managing prop RPM improves fuel efficiency and engine longevity. Mixture (lean for altitude) prevents engine damage.

When to use: All flights with constant-speed props; check the POH (checklist) for target RPM.

Tip: When cleared for an ILS approach, press APR (Approach) button on the autopilot panel. The autopilot will capture the localizer and glideslope automatically.

Why it works: Manual ILS flying is challenging; using AP helps you learn the procedure. Disconnect at minimums (200 ft) for a realistic hands-on landing.

When to use: When practicing approaches in poor visibility; switch to manual at decision height.

Advanced Tips: Optimizing Realism and Performance

Tip: Use a free tool like MSFS Addon Linker to manage community folders. Turn off heavy sceneries for distant airports to improve performance.

Why it works: Many add-ons run even when not near them, degrading performance. Addon Linker creates symbolic links you can enable/disable per flight.

When to use: Before any flight, disable sceneries outside your route to save VRAM and CPU.

Tip: Set Terrain Level of Detail (LOD) to 100–150 (default 200) for sharper ground textures with less stutter. Keep Cloud Quality on High, not Ultra, and disable Lens Flare.

Why it works: LOD 200 loads too many triangles, causing CPU bottlenecks. Cloud quality is the biggest hit on GPU. These tweaks preserve visuals while gaining 10–15 FPS.

When to use: Any flight, especially in VR or on mid-range GPUs (RTX 3060, 2070).

Tip: In airliners like the A320, activate VNAV (Vertical Navigation) to automatically manage descent path from top of descent to approach fix. Set altitude constraints in the MCDU.

Why it works: VNAV calculates optimal descent profile (idle thrust, 3-degree glidepath) saving fuel and avoiding terrain. It also sets precise crossing restrictions.

When to use: Long-haul flights where ATC expects continuous descent; avoid VNAV during speed constraints if not programmed.

Tip: Press Alt++ (plus key on numpad) to increase sim rate up to 16x. Use Alt+- to decrease. (You may need to bind keys in controls).

Why it works: Cruise phases of long flights (e.g., London to New York) can take hours. Sim rate compresses time while maintaining physics accuracy.

When to use: After reaching cruise altitude in a stable aircraft (AP on). Do not use during descent or approach as it may cause overspeeds or crashes.

Tip: Use the Shift+4 shortcut to open the checklist panel. You can create custom checklists for each aircraft and share via text files.

Why it works: Custom checklists ensure you never skip steps like setting flaps, mixture, or fuel pumps. They are especially handy for complex aircraft.

When to use: Before every flight for the aircraft you fly; share with friends for consistency.

Economy & Career Mode Tips

Neofly

OnAir

FSCharter

Tip: In Neofly, choose cargo contracts for Cessna 172 or Piper Seneca. Avoid passenger missions until you can handle tight schedules.

Why it works: Cargo missions have more flexible time windows, and penalties for damage are lower. You can earn rep slowly.

When to use: First 10 missions to build capital for faster aircraft.

Tip: Once you have \$50k, buy a used Cessna 208 Caravan for medium cargo, and keep the 172 for short hops. Do not sell the 172; use it for high-frequency short runs.

Why it works: Different aircraft for different job lengths maximize earnings per hour. A single high-performance aircraft may sit idle on long runways.

When to use: After initial capital build-up.

Tip: In OnAir or FSCharter, enable live weather and set wind tolerance to realistic limits. Avoid flying in marginal conditions (crosswinds >15 knots) until you have more skill.

Why it works: Live weather increases immersion and affects fuel consumption. Strong headwinds reduce range, increasing fuel costs.

When to use: When you want career mode to be authentic; disable in beginners.

Multiplayer & Community Tips

Tip: Visit websites like VAT-SIM (for VATSIM) or IVAO to fly with real ATC. Or join a VA like Airline2Sim that schedules group flights.

Why it works: Flying with others and receiving ATC instruction improves your radio skills and situational awareness. VAs often provide detailed manuals.

When to use: After you can fly a simple IFR flight plan without hand-holding (intermediate).

Add-on Manager

Tip: Install liveries via Flightsim.to and activate them via the in-game livery selection. Share custom ones via the community.

Why it works: Liveries make multiplayer events more immersive as you can rep your VA or a real airline. They also personalize your aircraft.

When to use: Before a group flight.

Advanced Performance Optimization

Developer Mode

Tip: Enable Developer Mode in Settings > General. Press Alt+Ctrl+Shift+D to open the performance monitor. Watch MainThread and GPU times.

Why it works: If MainThread > 15ms, you are CPU limited (reduce traffic, LOD). If GPU > 15ms, lower rendering resolution or cloud quality.

When to use: When troubleshooting stutters or FPS drops.

Live World Updates

Tip: Turn off in-game weather and traffic updates (set to live only when needed). Use static weather for benchmarks.

Why it works: Streaming live weather and traffic pulls from servers, causing lag spikes. Static weather is purely local.

When to use: During competitive multiplayer or when you need stable FPS.

Tip: Use SimBrief to create flight plans that auto-load into MSFS via SimBrief Downloader. Pair with Little Navmap for offline mapping.

Why it works: In-game flight planner is limited. SimBrief generates accurate fuel, weight, and route. Little Navmap shows terrain and weather overlays.

When to use: For every IFR or long VFR flight.

Final Pro-Tips

Learn to read METARs – The game uses real METAR data. Understanding wind direction (e.g., 27015KT meaning 15 knot wind from 270°) ensures you choose the correct runway.

Use VFR Map (Shift+5) – It shows airports, obstacles, and your position. Great for visual navigation.

Bind a key to Power On/Off Avionics – (Default G) to start engine without avionics draining battery.

Set Flight Model to Modern – While Legacy is more simplified, Modern gives more realistic stall/spin behavior. Use Modern once you can handle it.

Backup your UserCfg.opt** file – It contains all settings. Copy before major updates.

This guide covers the most practical tips across all skill levels. Fly safe, and see you in the skies!