Hostile Skies Controls
Every keybind, plus mobile controls.
This page lists every default control in Hostile Skies on PC, Mac, mobile, and controller. Bindings match the current v3.7 “Carrier” build. If your setup differs from the default, open the in-game settings to rebind.
PC and Mac
| Action | Key |
|---|---|
| Pitch down (dive) | W |
| Pitch up (climb) | S |
| Roll left | A |
| Roll right | D |
| Yaw left (rudder) | Q |
| Yaw right (rudder) | E |
| Fire guns | Left mouse button |
| Drop bombs | B |
| Toggle landing gear | G |
| Toggle flaps (three modes) | F |
| Engine on | Left Shift |
| Engine off | Left Ctrl |
| Throttle down | Ctrl |
| Throttle up | Ctrl + Shift |
| Free look | Right mouse button (hold) |
| Pause menu | Escape |
| Chat | / |
| Map | M |
Mobile
Mobile players use on-screen touch controls. The game automatically scales the touch layout for tablets and phones.
| Action | Control |
|---|---|
| Steer the plane | Slide finger anywhere on the right half of the screen |
| Throttle up | Swipe throttle slider up |
| Throttle down | Swipe throttle slider down |
| Fire guns | Tap the shoot button |
| Drop bombs | Tap the bomb button |
| Toggle flaps | Tap the flaps button |
| Toggle landing gear | Tap the gear button |
| Look around | Two-finger drag |
Controller (Xbox layout)
| Action | Button |
|---|---|
| Pitch | Left stick up / down |
| Roll | Left stick left / right |
| Yaw | Right stick left / right |
| Fire guns | Right trigger |
| Drop bombs | Left trigger |
| Toggle landing gear | Y |
| Toggle flaps | B |
| Throttle | A / X (hold) |
| Pause | Menu |
Mouse and aim sensitivity
Mouse sensitivity controls how fast your camera turns. Higher sensitivity is good for jet lobbies; lower sensitivity helps turn-fighters land consistent shots. The default sensitivity is tuned for props; if you main jets, raise it by 10–20%.
Invert axis options
Two invert toggles exist: invert pitch and invert yaw. Most pilots leave these at default. If you came from a flight sim, you may want to invert pitch.
Throttle and energy management
Throttle is one of the most important controls in Hostile Skies. Energy fighters (Mustang, FW 190 D-13) bleed energy fast in a turn fight, so throttle management is the difference between winning and losing an engagement. Watch your speed tape: when speed drops below your sustainable turn speed, throttle up and exit the fight.
Recommended control layouts
- Turn fighters (Spitfire, Bf 109): default layout, lower sensitivity.
- Energy fighters (Mustang, FW 190 D-13): default layout, default sensitivity.
- Multi-role (P-38, Ho 229): default layout, slightly higher sensitivity.
- Jets (Gloster Meteor, Me 262, Phantom, M22): higher sensitivity, invert pitch optional.
- Bombers (Mosquito, B-25): default layout, flaps toggle bound to a side mouse button if you have one.
What to bind first
If you rebind, leave the four flight keys (W, A, S, D) and the two rudder keys (Q, E) at defaults. The most common rebind is putting flaps on Caps Lock and landing gear on Tab, since F and G sit awkwardly on some mechanical keyboards.
For new pilots, see the Getting started guide. For the deeper flying fundamentals, see the How to fly guide. For when to throttle up versus dive, see Turn vs energy fighting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the most common questions.
Can I rebind keys in Hostile Skies?
Yes. Open settings in the lobby and remap any key. Some servers also lock rebinds; in that case the defaults apply.
Do mobile and PC pilots play together?
Yes. The matchmaker does not separate platforms. Expect mobile pilots to use auto-flap and auto-gear in late lobbies.
What is the best sensitivity for jets?
Higher than the default. Raise it by 10–20% on PC. Most jet pilots also use invert pitch.