I've enjoyed "spot view" since FS8, but in FSX even at .30 it seems I am too close to the plane. Is there way to extend that to say .20?

Easiest way is to hold down the space bar on your keyboard and use the scroll wheel on your mouse (if it has one) to zoom in or out.There's also a way to do it via the keyboard alone, but I forget the sequence (I do it instinctively when FSX is running).

That works fine, but I want it to go below ".30 "

Since no one knows, I guess the answer is "no"?

Since no one knows, I guess the answer is "no"?

Change the widescreen view to TRUE in the FSX.cfg. That moves the viewpoint further away.

I've enjoyed "spot view" since FS8, but in FSX even at .30 it seems I am too close to the plane. Is there way to extend that to say .20?

try CTRL + or CTRL - when in spot view

This will be a routine that you will have to do if you use 'Locked Spot View' a lot (as I do). Also always when you change aircraft. No other way.The routine is: (1). Press '<-' (back arrow)- this sets zoom to 1X. (2). Press (left) 'Ctrl+Spacebar'-this sets camera view to 'directly behind and centered'. (3). Press AND HOLD (right) 'Ctrl' key, plus press AND HOLD '-' to move CAMERA forward (closer to aircraft). Use (press and hold) 'Ctrl' plus '+' to move CAMERA further back (in both these adjustments-the zoom remains at 1X !!!). (4). Finally, Press AND HOLD the 'Spacebar' + 'Move Mouse' (follow cursur, from above tail to below wheels) to adjust for vertical position of view. DONE!Then if you want 0.5 zoom, press shift plus '-' to reduce zoom. 'Shift' use makes moves smoother. 'Shift' plus '+' increases zoom. And, you can use joy hat switch to move view vertically, all around, etc. Especially after takeoff. But the steps of routine will become 'habit' after you repeat the routine (the same exact way) several time. Develop a pattern. Learn it. Enjoy FSX. (I do this routine almost without thinking anymore.)Chuck BNapamule

Worked perfectly! THANKS! :(