Getting Started with Flight Recording in Microsoft Flight Simulator

Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020 and 2024 editions) includes a built-in flight recording and replay system that allows pilots to capture every moment of their journey. Whether you are honing your instrument approaches, creating cinematic videos, or reviewing a challenging landing, these tools provide detailed playback with full camera control. This guide walks you through setup, manual recording, replay management, and advanced tips to get the most out of the feature.

Before diving in, ensure your simulator is updated to the latest version. Recorded flights are stored locally as .flt files, which can be renamed, backed up, or shared with other users. For additional reference, consult the official Microsoft Flight Simulator forums for community‑shared workflows.

Enabling Flight Recording

Recording can operate in fully automatic mode or be triggered manually. The default settings are found under the Camera tab in the General Options menu. To access them:

  1. From the main menu, go to Options > General.
  2. Select the Camera tab and scroll to the Flight Recording section.
  3. Toggle Auto Record Flights to On if you want every flight saved automatically.
  4. Adjust the Recording Quality slider (higher quality uses more disk space but preserves finer details).
  5. Set a maximum Recording Duration (e.g., 2 hours) to prevent excessively large files.

If you prefer to record only specific segments, leave auto‑record off and use keyboard shortcuts. The default hotkey to start/stop a manual recording is Ctrl + Shift + R, but this can be remapped in the Controls menu under Other > Recording > Toggle Recording.

Manual vs. Automatic Recording

Automatic recording is ideal for new users who want to capture every flight without thinking about it. However, it can fill your hard drive quickly if you fly frequently. Manual recording gives you precise control: start recording just before a critical maneuver, and stop after it’s complete. Many experienced pilots use a hybrid approach – auto‑record for long flights and manual recording for specific approaches or aerobatic sequences.

How to Record Your Flight

Once the feature is enabled, the simulator will create a recording file in the background. For manual recording:

  • Press Ctrl + Shift + R (or your custom key) to begin recording. A small indicator appears on the screen (a red circle in the top‑right corner in default UI themes).
  • Fly normally. The recording captures all aircraft state data – position, altitude, heading, airspeed, engine parameters, control inputs, and weather conditions.
  • Press the same hotkey again to stop. The file is saved automatically.

Recorded files are stored in your Packages folder, typically at:
%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.FlightSimulator_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalState\Packages\Community
or inside your user documents folder under Flight Simulator 2024 depending on the edition. You can also find them via the Content Manager’s “Replays” tab (see below).

Accessing and Playing Back Replays

To review your recorded flights, use the built‑in Replays screen:

  1. From the main menu, select Content Manager.
  2. Click the Replays tab on the left sidebar.
  3. A list of saved recordings appears, sorted by date. You can filter by aircraft type, departure airport, or date range.
  4. Select a flight and click Play to begin the replay.

During playback, you have full control over the timeline:

  • Play/Pause – Space bar or on‑screen button.
  • Fast‑Forward / Rewind – Use the timeline slider or the arrow keys (customizable).
  • Speed Control – Adjust playback speed from 0.5x to 16x for quick reviews of long flights.
  • Jump to Event – Right‑click on the timeline to add bookmarks during recording (requires the Bookmark hotkey while recording).

Camera Controls in Replay

The replay system benefits from the full camera suite. While playback is active, you can:

  • Switch between External, Instrument Panel, Cockpit, Drone, and Showcase cameras.
  • Use the mouse to pan, tilt, and zoom any camera – perfect for cinematic shots.
  • Lock the camera onto a specific aircraft part (e.g., wingtip, landing gear) for dynamic angles.
  • Adjust Field of View (FOV) using Page Up / Page Down.

Pro tip: For the smoothest replay experience, set the Recording Quality to High and ensure your frame rate stays above 30 fps during recording. Low frame rates during recording will result in choppy replays.

Managing and Sharing Recorded Flights

Files can be renamed, copied, or moved manually. To manage them:

  • Locate the .flt files in the folder mentioned above.
  • Rename them (e.g., 2025-03-28_KSFO-KLAX.flt) for easy identification.
  • Share recordings with other users by sending the file or uploading to cloud storage. Recipients copy the file into their own Community folder under a Replays subfolder (create it if it doesn’t exist).
  • The Content Manager will automatically detect new files placed in the correct folder after a restart.

Note that replays are not compatible across major simulator versions (e.g., a 2020 replay cannot be opened in 2024 and vice versa). Always check version compatibility before sharing.

Advanced Tips for Better Recordings

To get the most out of the recording and replay system, consider these techniques:

Plan Your Flight for Replay Value

If you intend to use the replay for analysis or content creation, plan a route that includes diverse phases of flight: takeoff, climb, cruise, descent, pattern work, and landing. Record markers (bookmarks) during significant moments – use a hotkey like Ctrl + Shift + B to drop a marker on the timeline.

Optimize Graphics Settings

While recording, the simulator maintains the current graphics settings. For smoother playback, lower settings like Terrain LOD and Object LOD by 20–30% during recording, then restore them for normal flying. This prevents stutters in the replay file.

Use the Drone Camera for Cinematic Shots

During replay, switch to the Drone camera (default hotkey End). You can move the drone freely around the aircraft, independent of the flight path. To orbit the aircraft, hold Right Mouse Button and drag. The drone camera also supports up to 4x slow‑motion for dramatic sequences.

Record at a Higher Quality for Later Editing

If you plan to edit the replay in external software (e.g., DaVinci Resolve, Adobe Premiere), set Recording Quality to Ultra and record at your monitor’s native resolution. Note that ultra quality files can be several gigabytes per hour – ensure you have sufficient free disk space. Learn more about file management in this official Asobo documentation.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Even with proper setup, you may encounter problems. Here are fixes for common issues:

  • No recordings appear in Content Manager – Ensure auto‑record is enabled or you pressed the recording hotkey during flight. Also check that the .flt file is in the correct Packages folder. Restart the simulator after placing manual files.
  • Replay stutters or freezes – Lower the playback speed to 1x and reduce graphics settings. If the issue persists, delete the replay and re‑record at a lower quality setting.
  • Cannot switch camera during replay – Ensure you are not in Pause mode. Press Pause (Space) and try again. Some camera modes are disabled during fast‑forward.
  • Recorded flight ends prematurely – The recording stops when the aircraft is shut down (engine off and parking brake set) or when you exit the session. To extend the recording, keep the engine running until you are ready to stop manually.

For persistent bugs, check the official Microsoft Flight Simulator blog for patch notes – recording features are improved with each update.

Use Cases: Beyond Simple Playback

The recording and replay system serves multiple purposes:

  • Flight Training – Review your approach and landing techniques. Compare multiple attempts of the same approach to identify trends.
  • Virtual Tourism – Capture scenic flights over famous landmarks, then replay them from ground‑level drone views.
  • Content Creation – Use replays as raw footage for YouTube videos or live streams. The replay timeline allows easy editing of highlights.
  • Accident Analysis – After a crash, replay the last few minutes to understand what went wrong (e.g., stall, overspeed, CFIT).
  • Sharing with Friends – Exchange .flt files with other enthusiasts to see their best flights. Some community groups host “replay challenges” where pilots try to re‑create each other’s paths.

Conclusion

Microsoft Flight Simulator’s recording and replay tools are robust and accessible. By enabling auto‑record, learning the manual hotkeys, and mastering the camera controls during playback, you can capture and analyze every nuance of your virtual flying. Regular backups of your .flt files prevent data loss, and sharing them with the community opens up new ways to enjoy the sim. With the techniques outlined above, you can transform a simple playback into a powerful training and creative resource.