I'm starting to get a better understanding of some of the issues. Initially, I thought it was mostly about users who prefer flying larger planes, where the walk-around process, while still important, is often handled by a co-pilot, ground crew, or maintenance team. This allows the pilot to focus on starting the flight from the left seat.

However, it seems the real issue is more about add-on planes being ported over from FS2020. That simulator was developed before the walk-around feature existed, and developers may not have had the chance to ensure their products are fully compatible with the new sim. This results in odd starting points for certain aircraft. Additionally, some users have chosen to keep their key bindings from older versions, potentially missing out on the benefits of the new simulator's features.

The new sim introduces a fresh learning curve, as Asobo chose to remap key bindings instead of carrying over the commands from ACE Studios. This decision likely aligns with their vision for product development but has created some confusion for long-time users.

On 11/23/2024 at 5:37 AM, Ident said:

just push Shift+C

Thanks! Just stood outside the Fenix A320 and wondered how to get in 😉

If MS can have us start outside the airplane, there should be a way to start the character in the jetway by the forward door. Now that would be cool for me who  just flies tubers.

On 11/23/2024 at 2:05 AM, hvw said:

Unfortunately Shift-C doesn't work for me. The only way to get me into the cockpit right away is, like DAD mentioned, starting from a runway. I feel that MS/Asobo at least should give us an option to disable the walk-around and have us set in the cockpit, cold and dark, right away. As we were used to in FS2020. Just my $0,02

Check your keyboard.  Need to be on 2024 KB.  
-B

As @btacon says, you must be on the FS2024 keyboard for Shift-C to work. Alternatively, bind the key or button of your choice to the action "Take Control Of Character" on your current keyboard/controller setup.

Not having tried 2024 yet, what I'm reading about this feature still seems pretty contrived.

In the first place, for when you want to use the simulator as a simulator, this is a waste of time that I sure don't want to be forced to deal with.  When I know the scenario I'm simulating and the condition of the aircraft, I'm not interested in bothering with a walk around.  This is, for example, never something that is done or simulated before a session in an actual level C or D simulator. 

Secondly, even when you're doing some pilot roleplay type of stuff, it's silly to start outside the aircraft and do a walk around before entering.  There really isn't a time you're not going to enter the plane first, and even in a small GA aircraft you'll drop your bag / tablet, flip the battery on, check fuel gauges, lower the flaps etc.  In an airliner, you'll do considerably more before going outside.

So what's the point of STARTING outside?  The sim should still be starting you in the cockpit since that's where you'll go first anyway.  That way, those who don't have a need to bother with the walk around can just skip it, those who want to do it can prepare the plane correctly first, and it seems like a win/win.  Think A2A - they simulated a very good walk around (where you might even find things wrong), but you still start in the plane, because that's where you'd go first anyway.

The starting outside thing is just an extra step that doesn't seem to have any benefit.

Completely agree with you @Stearmandriver. I've just been looking at ways of circumventing it as quickly as possible until they come to their senses and do something about it.

7 hours ago, Stearmandriver said:

Secondly, even when you're doing some pilot roleplay type of stuff, it's silly to start outside the aircraft and do a walk around before entering.

I never regarded starting outside as being the start of the walk around. To me starting outside equals having arrived at the airport and having walked up to the plane. That's not silly at all: it's realistic. I am (or anyone else is) not forced to do the walk around first. I can enter the plane, do my stuff and then do the walk around when needed. I also always step out of the plane at the end of my flight. I like this feature a lot!

But I only fly the Vision Jet. Perhaps it feels different when you start outside an A320.

On 12/20/2024 at 5:35 AM, sympilot said:

If MS can have us start outside the airplane, there should be a way to start the character in the jetway by the forward door. Now that would be cool for me who  just flies tubers.

 

11 hours ago, mistolip said:

I never regarded starting outside as being the start of the walk around. To me starting outside equals having arrived at the airport and having walked up to the plane. That's not silly at all: it's realistic. I am (or anyone else is) not forced to do the walk around first. I can enter the plane, do my stuff and then do the walk around when needed. I also always step out of the plane at the end of my flight. I like this feature a lot!

But I only fly the Vision Jet. Perhaps it feels different when you start outside an A320.

I would love to see what @sympilot suggested where the same way GSX leverages a profile for aircraft and scenery I would love to see MSFS24 do the same and offer "starting points" for the flight like inside the terminal if the scenery supports it and then it can be set in the profile or in the jetway outside the plane or define a spot on the tarmac outside the plane.  But the same way you can choose a gate it could be cool to choose a "starting point" outside the plane for a flight.  In 2020 I start in the cockpit then load drone view, adjust the view and do a walk around and then walk into the plane anyway 🙂  (I'm a geek)  

@mistolip I do the same in a 777 🙂   I walk out the plane, down the jetway steps and watch the AI from the tarmac after the flight while GSX does it's thing... 

At the same time I can see how this isn't everyone's cuppa and there should also be a way to bypass it entirely.  

The default start should be inside the cockpit with an optional shortcut (ctrl+c!) to go outside and walk around. 

42 minutes ago, MikeyOnTheFlightDeck said:

The default start should be inside the cockpit with an optional shortcut (ctrl+c!) to go outside and walk around. 

Put me down for being in the opposite of this camp.

15 hours ago, mistolip said:

I never regarded starting outside as being the start of the walk around. To me starting outside equals having arrived at the airport and having walked up to the plane. That's not silly at all: it's realistic. I am (or anyone else is) not forced to do the walk around first. I can enter the plane, do my stuff and then do the walk around when needed. I also always step out of the plane at the end of my flight. I like this feature a lot!

But I only fly the Vision Jet. Perhaps it feels different when you start outside an A320.

But since not everyone needs to do the walk around on every flight, isn't the cockpit the default common location we all have to occupy at some point?  So why not just start there?  Then the roleplay folks can head outside, the sim folks can fire up and go to whatever it is they're trying to do, and no one has wasted any time loading up somewhere pointless to them. That seems the obvious answer, if there has to be one default starting location.  Obviously a choice would be best for everyone.

Even if you're inclined to do a walkaround, you would still generally start inside the plane first--e.g. forms review, remove control locks, power config, stash your flight bag etc.

So a starting point in the cockpit would be entirely reasonable from a realism perspective, and would answer the mail for those who don't want the added pomp and circumstance of doing a walkaround...

26 minutes ago, Stearmandriver said:

But since not everyone needs to do the walk around on every flight, isn't the cockpit the default common location we all have to occupy at some point?  So why not just start there?  Then the roleplay folks can head outside, the sim folks can fire up and go to whatever it is they're trying to do, and no one has wasted any time loading up somewhere pointless to them. That seems the obvious answer, if there has to be one default starting location.  Obviously a choice would be best for everyone.

I agree that it should be optional. But they would also have to add the option to remove chocks and covers etc. from within the cockpit (like in the EFB).

This is emblematic of the way Asobo and MS operate. First, they come up with a very significant change nobody asked for. And then they completely screw up the implementation of it. I am not sure they will ever learn.