Mouse and keyboard mapping

[Blesk]

I’m Sorry if this is not the right section but I didn’t see aby better so-

I know I should buy a joystick but I can’t right now, until then anyone can recomend me the best settings for keyboard? Also, I tried to change the moving from mouse to arrows but it doesn’t do anything… Can you please help? Also, maybe some advice on what to learn first (I am totally new to flight simulators so even most of the terminology is new to me, I knew only what was mentioned in Aircraft Disasters or whatever it’s called). English is not my first language too so if you could try to explain it in a simple way…

 

Thanks for any and every help!

[GiftGruen]

Well - maybe it's really a good idea to have a look at some tutorials from Sheriff Simshack e.g. at YouTube.

Concentrate on ONE fighter plane for the beginning, since they all behave in a different way and also controls / instruments differ. 

Which Il2 module do you own ? BoS ?  Here the 109 probably is the easiest choice, mainly because of automatic engine management.

But - to be honest, I cannot imagine to fly without a joystick. A cheap used one should be possible to find for 10 bucks and even the worst and oldest JoyStick is better than keyboard or mouse.  Il2 is a simulation, not an arcade game.

[AndreiTomescu]

Dear Blesk, the world of virtual flying is a wonderful experience, and i'm glad you've decided to try it, especially with this high quality sim.

Unfortunately without a joystick, even a basic one, it can't be done, it will only bring you frustration and you'll probably end up quitting before actually starting.

A basic stick like a 10-20 euros one should be enough for knowing if you like the experience or not.

There are some good training missions for most of the aircrafts on the old forum, they are called KursantCadet, I think.

For starters the Hurricane is the most forgiving bird, IMHO. And maybe the Bf-109 E series, also.

My first joystick, about 20+years ago, was a Chinese junk, lasted about a week, but what a joy it was.....

Also there is an ancient but awesome book, that you can find .pdf online, it's called "In Pursuit". It was like a online flying bible for me.

I really hope this doesn't cut your wings and you persevere: it's worth it.

[Blesk]

Thanks! Yes, I have BoS but Also Moscow since they gave it for free. I will look at these for sure. Unfortunately (or fortunately?) you are right, I thought that I could at least learn how to play a little; fly, land, take-off and buy a joystick only after if I really need it because it took me half of MoH Frontline to get used to console and joystick is something which I have totally no experience with nor I know anyone who has one so I thought I would rather learn how to play with keyboard control…

It’s mostly because for some reason when I for example turn right, even slightly, I never stop turning (with keyboard) and I know mouse is not a good solution at all. It might be just bad setting but I don’t know what else to try, it does it whatever I do

 

What joystick would you recomend me? I can’t spend much and simplicity is only welcomed…

[GiftGruen]

You need a joystick with 3 axes ( roll, pitch, yaw ) and preferably a throttle axis in addition.

A Logitech 3D Extreme Pro  could be a beginners Choice.

Here in germany I can easily find used ones for 20 Euros, dont know where you are living.

 

 

[JollyJack]

If you have a Xbox controller you can use that with IL2 with this setup.

https://forum.il2sturmovik.com/topic/92865-xbox-use-with-il2-is-possible/

[J37_Spyboy]

Check out Col. Ninny How to Fly Videos. Here is his lesson on keybinding a Logitech 3D Pro joystick. It is a great starter stick with twist grip for rudder.

 

[Blesk]

I’m from Slovakia so I think I can find that one, thank you very much!

Will surely check it, thanks again! 

Will it work with a PS3 controller too? At least until I buy the joystick.

 

(my replies were merged so… thank you all once again, it’s really helpful to me.(

Edited November 27, 2025 by Blesk

[Shinobimono]

4 минуты назад, Blesk сказал:

PS3 controller

Don't know about Il-2, but PS3 controller has no native support in Windows. It's not plug'n'play unlike Xbox' one. But it's still possible to use after installing some single program.

You should definitely try the real joystick. It's very simple and intuitive. It's possible to find some cheap solution via ebay, for real.

[Panzerkatze]

I started years ago in another flight sim with TM Hotas X. I found it very good beginners stick and what I especially fell in love was the rudder control in throttle.

[AndreiTomescu]

On 11/26/2025 at 11:56 PM, Blesk said:

What joystick would you recomend me? I can’t spend much and simplicity is only welcomed…

Logitech G Extreme 3D Pro or Thrustmaster T16000 would be very good choices and reliable too.

A XBox/PS controller i don't think is going to be ok. 

[AndreiTomescu]

On 11/26/2025 at 11:56 PM, Blesk said:

joystick is something which I have totally no experience

your intuition serves you well, young padawan 🙂 

you nailed it right: the joystick for a flight sim is INTUITIVE. it makes you fell that you are are one whit the plane, its moves, its responses. and it's good only for something that moves 3D, in the air (or even water, like a sub). also you'll get PROGRESSIVE, gradual responses, and no controller can give you that, even ps5/Xbox ones, due to the short travel of the knob.

also GB has a great degree of setting the response curves, dead zones and such. There are many tutorials on the mummified forum.

You don't have to learn the use of a joystick: the stick itself, as a physical part of the virtual plane, is going to teach you.

in my experience, a flight sim is exclusive joystick bound.

[GiftGruen]

It's quite similar to a racing sim.

Are you a car driver ? Assuming 'yes' .... you probably find a steering wheel quite intuitive and driving a car by a XBox controller therefore somewhat weird.

It's the same with JoySticks and Airplanes.  Only multiplied by three because you have three axes in a plane and only one in a car.

 

On 11/29/2025 at 10:00 PM, Panzerkatze said:

I started years ago in another flight sim with TM Hotas X. I found it very good beginners stick and what I especially fell in love was the rudder control in throttle.

True. Clearly better than the Logitech, however, probably somewhat more expensive, even a secondhand one.