While learning the proper startup procedures for each aircraft adds to the realism, sometimes you just want to get flying quickly in Microsoft Flight Simulator. The auto start feature is perfect for these situations.
The Auto Start Keyboard Shortcut
To automatically start any aircraft engine in MSFS, simply press:
Ctrl+E
This universal shortcut will start all engines and set systems to an appropriate configuration for flight.
When to Use Auto Start
Auto start is particularly useful when:
- You’re learning the simulator and not yet familiar with specific aircraft procedures
- You want to practice flying rather than startup procedures
- You’re troubleshooting and need to quickly restart your engines
Notes
- The auto start feature will not remove ground equipment or wheel chocks. If you started in walk-around mode, you’ll still need to remove these manually.
- You will still need to configure your avionics or systems after using auto start.
How to Manually Start the Cessna 172
For the best realism, consider learning the proper startup sequence for your favorite aircraft once you’re comfortable with the basics. For example, here’s an example of how to start the Cessna 172, taken from our How to Fly the Cessna 172 course taught by a real-world flight instructor.
