Key Mapping Confusion

[Epimennides]

I'm trying to understand the key mapping for this game. There are so many, many (way too many) controls. I'm running into an issue where I set a key in the settings then realize in flight that that button doesn't do anything … or maybe I'm misinterpreting what the key is meant to do. Most recently I wanted to re-key the autopilot from "RAlt-A" to simply "A". Then in a Quick Flight I discovered that "A" will remove auto-level but then won't re-engage when I press "A" again. This happens often with other keys as well. 

 

Related to this, I noticed that there are no less than 11 separate key presses for "autopilot" most of which I don't know what they mean (I'm not a pilot). For example, what does "yaw channel trim" or "pitch channel switch" mean? I'm only intending to use Flying Circus for now, so can I disable any and all keys not needed? e.g. A WWI biplane does not have landing gear or a canopy. My hope is that disabling unnecessary keys will eliminate confusion with keys I do need.

 

I have many questions on the key map interface but let me just start with the autopilot. I'm currently trying to examine the Frame Rate. I simply want to start a flight with a few planes, put my plane in autopilot, and see if my graphics card can keep up. I need one key: autopilot on/off. My expectation is that my plane will follow the mission and not just fly straight and level into oblivion.

 

Any help will be appreciated. 

 

TL;DR: (1) Can I disable all unused control keys? (2) Will autopilot cause my plane to complete the mission? Thanks!

 

 

 

 

[RNAS10_Mitchell]

This might help. 

 

It is possible to map multiple functions to the same buttons.   This can work sometimes,  but often it just causes problems.  So be mindful if your mapping a button, to make sure that button is not mapped to any other functions.   Or at least none that will be in conflict. 

[Epimennides]

 

Thanks! This seems perfect. I'm going to take some time to absorb it.

[czech693]

All those autopilot commands down at the bottom of the key listings are for the autopilot in some of the WW2 aircraft which have an autopilot device in the cockpit.  The one you need for the autopilot to take over full control of any BOX or FC plane is the one at the top of the listing.  It will fly and fight the airplane as an AI.  The autoevel key just holds it level and you still work the throttles, etc. 

[Epimennides]

Thanks!

Two of the items are: "AI-autopilot on/off" and "AI-autopilot for level flight: on/off". What is the significance of "AI"? Why would I want to control the autopilot of an AI? (I assume AI refers to the Non-Player planes).

 

[LukeFF]

It's as @czech693 said: AI autopilot means the AI will fly the mission for you without any input, and AI level autopilot just holds the plane level for you, provided you have the throttle forward.

[Epimennides]

Oh! Whew! I assumed that "Autopilot on/off (RAlt A)" controls autopilot for the player. This explains why changing that key doesn't do anything for me. 

 

I realize that the controls are designed to mimic all sorts of war planes, bombers and even tanks, but it's very confusing for a novitiate. Especially if one is not familiar with the jargon. 

[Epimennides]

It took all afternoon but I think I finally got the key map cleared up and pretty much the way I want it. Couple more questions, though:

 

Which camera view focuses on the enemy plane from the cockpit? Camera padlock: enemy aircraft doesn't seem to do anything and External free camera at enemy aircraft does what I'm looking for but from outside the aircraft. 

 

Also, a minor annoyance is that the mouse cursor seems to lag the movement of the mouse. When I point to something, the cursor keeps moving, sometimes off of the button I want to press. Is there a way to make the mouse cursor behave more crisply.

 

As always, Thanks !!!

[LukeFF]

There is no internal camera view of enemy planes. It's Ctrl + F2 that will cycle through every enemy plane in external view.

[traligh]

One additional question from a newbie:

 

Is there a way to print a List of the commands to prepare the mapping, instead of writing all I assigned on some sheet?

[czech693]

On 12/3/2024 at 6:36 AM, traligh said:

One additional question from a newbie:

 

Is there a way to print a List of the commands to prepare the mapping, instead of writing all I assigned on some sheet?

Here is an old one with most of the key commands.  I use it regularly and write in stuff that is not on there.

 

https://www.mediafire.com/file/fw8gxav8rl81cm5/Il-2_Default_Key_Mapping_Listing.pdf/file

[gsollis]

On 2/15/2025 at 4:08 PM, czech693 said:

Here is an old one with most of the key commands.  I use it regularly and write in stuff that is not on there.

 

https://www.mediafire.com/file/fw8gxav8rl81cm5/Il-2_Default_Key_Mapping_Listing.pdf/file

 

Would you mind adding the updated file here? It would be very helpful for all.

[czech693]

I'm not the author of this key mapping list, it was done by Arfsix.  Here's the latest one that I have I have, dated 15 Sep 22.

IL-2 Key mapping 5.001(5).zip

 

Here's the link to the Forum chat:  

 

Edited August 21 by czech693