'Natural View Panning' (or realistic eyepoint) for TrackIR users

[Valis]

As currently modelled if you use TrackIR (or similar) you have to perform an awkward combined head-turn-&-lean just to properly check your six.

This is because the player's eyepoint is incorrectly modelled as a single point around which the view rotates. Imagine being an owl with eyes positioned directly above your neck - that's how it is modelled right now.

Realistically your eyes are set forward from your neck. Plus, when you turn your head to see behind you, you automatically twist your body to help.

The Devs know this already because they've built in a realistic eyepoint for the 'Check Six' keyboard command (NUMPAD 1, 3). Try it and see - you can enable it with this camera setting...

Here's a video demonstrating the realistic 'Numpad Check Six' followed by the un-realistic 'Head on a Swivel' that TrackIR users are stuck with.

DCS has incorporated this realistic view for years without issue, and they have fully interactive cockpits. 

Make it optional for those who prefer the current setup.

 

Edited July 7 by Valis

[LukeFF]

There are already two different head movement options in the game's settings right now, if this is what you are referring to.

[Valis]

6 minutes ago, LukeFF said:

There are already two different head movement options in the game's settings right now, if this is what you are referring to.

In the camera settings there is the option for 'Natural View Panning...

...which does exactly what I'm requesting.

Unfortunately it only works with keyboard/hat switch panning. It does not work with TrackIR etc.

[LukeFF]

1 minute ago, Valis said:

Unfortunately it only works with keyboard/hat switch panning. It does not work with TrackIR etc.

I'm using TrackIR V5 here and it works just fine, but I'll double-check when I get the chance.

[Valis]

Here's a vid from CommandT who also brought up the same issue. Starts at 12:00 in case the formatting doesn't work.

 

[LukeFF]

Okay, I'll report it, thanks. 🙂 

[Valis]

Just a quick example for those who might not be familiar - here's what checking six in the DCS MiG-15 is like, using just left/right panning, no extra leaning required.

Much more realistic and natural.

 

Edited July 13 by Valis

[Husar]

There  are two separate issues. First, when you check your six, you also have to move your head along the X-axis (toward the canopy) to get a proper view. Second, you can't move your head as far back as you can in IL-2 Great Battles or DCS. The second issue is not fair for TrackIR users because every VR user I know who flies multiplayer uses an app that lets them instantly look behind with a single button press, or automatically triggers a rear view once they turn their head a certain number of degrees to the left or right.

Edited July 27 by Husar

[KC23]

This is the deepest review of career mode I've seen by far. The guy narrating this video has a thick Russian accent, but if you can follow it points out some very concerning issues in career mode. 

 

 

[Husar]

Bump,  OP is right, TrackIR looking back it should be changed.

[Valis]

From the Developer Diary...

Please change to...

🙂

Edited August 13 by Valis

[Leifr]

1 minute ago, Valis said:

This just doesn't happen.

When I turn my pilot's head behind me, I am locked in to looking at the headrest. If I use the default NUMPAD binding, it correctly shifts the pilot's shoulder over slightly so that he can see behind to a greater degree - presumably this is what they're referring to. Currently I have to turn as per normal and then lean in to the canopy glass to get the same view point; sometimes this will bug out though and the pilot will shift to the opposite side that I am meant to be looking at. I enjoy the more limited head movement in Korea (it was too 'owl-like' in GB), but there is some mismatch between how the keybind, TrackIR and VR users match up with what they can see.

[Valis]

2 minutes ago, Leifr said:

If I use the default NUMPAD binding, it correctly shifts the pilot's shoulder over slightly so that he can see behind to a greater degree - presumably this is what they're referring to

It is. 

It's called 'Natural View Panning' in the options - but only works for keyboard.

[Banzai]

Additionally to the issues mentionwd above. Why is zoom in restricted to 5 and 8 positions only? Why can't we fully zoom in to check long six contacts. Was this restriction of zoom when looking back ever requested by players?

[Mark_Krieger]

On 7/27/2026 at 3:40 PM, Husar said:

There  are two separate issues. First, when you check your six, you also have to move your head along the X-axis (toward the canopy) to get a proper view. Second, you can't move your head as far back as you can in IL-2 Great Battles or DCS. The second issue is not fair for TrackIR users because every VR user I know who flies multiplayer uses an app that lets them instantly look behind with a single button press, or automatically triggers a rear view once they turn their head a certain number of degrees to the left or right.

You can call me masochist, but when I fly in VR I never use any of those tricks and when I use the headtrack I limit the angle to 140º instead of 180º. But I suppose most players don't do that. 😅

[JG14_Jagr]

On 8/18/2026 at 8:27 AM, Mark_Krieger said:

You can call me masochist, but when I fly in VR I never use any of those tricks and when I use the headtrack I limit the angle to 140º instead of 180º. But I suppose most players don't do that. 😅

Its not a matter of the angle, it a matter of the TrackIR pilots head rotating 180 without leaning to the left or right and being centered on the head rest with the eye position being the rotation point.  On a human head the eyes are in the front so if you rotate, they move left or right in an arc and the point of rotation is the spine which is at the rear of the head.   Currently it rotates like an Owl.

[actionhank]

Just to piggyback this discussion, I would love if they would add a way to control the camera movement in the external view with TrackIR. One thing I always enjoy with DCS is that I can just hit the external view and move my head to turn the camera, which means I don't have to reach up and grab my mouse. But I can't do that in Il-2. It would also be nice to be able to disable the camera for views like the Gun Camera, because that camera moving and panning seems a bit unnecessary anyhow.