Hostile Skies Getting Started
Day-one checklist for new pilots.
Welcome to Hostile Skies. This walkthrough covers everything you need for your first three sorties: picking a team, binding your controls, taking off, dogfighting, and unlock your second plane. Read it before your first match so you do not waste the early XP.
Step 1: pick a team
Hostile Skies splits the lobby into two teams: Allied and Axis. Both have unique plane lists; pick the team you like aesthetically and stick with it for the first few hours. Switching teams resets your XP and unlocks, so commit early.
Step 2: bind your controls
Open the settings menu and confirm the bindings listed below. The defaults are good, but remap anything that clashes with your keyboard.
| Action | Default key |
|---|---|
| Pitch up / down | W / S |
| Roll left / right | A / D |
| Yaw | Q / E |
| Throttle up / down | Shift / Ctrl |
| Landing gear | G |
| Flaps | F |
| Fire guns | Left click |
| Drop bomb | B |
| Free look | Right click hold |
Step 3: take off
Wait on the runway until the timer counts down. Push throttle up to full, tap flaps, and pull back gently. Keep the nose under 15 degrees until your airspeed climbs above 120 km/h. Then raise the landing gear and trim the nose level.
Step 4: dogfight
Match your turn rate with the enemy. Stay above 200 km/h — slow fights lose to faster planes. Lead your target by one full plane length at 300 m, and by two plane lengths at 600 m.
Step 5: unlock your next plane
You earn credits and XP for kills, assists, and bomb hits. At level 5 you unlock the P-36 or He 112; at level 10 you unlock the P-40 or Ki-43. See the full ladder on the How to unlock planes page.
Step 6: redeem your first code
Codes drop every patch. Visit the How to redeem codes page and use one to bankroll a second plane.
Step 7: pick a companion
Visit the Companion tier list and pick a companion that suits your playstyle. The Engineer is the safest pick for new pilots because it repairs between kills.
Common first-day mistakes
- Climbing too steep during takeoff — bleed speed and stall.
- Pulling the stick hard in turns — bleed energy and lose fights.
- Ignoring the radar — fly into an enemy you never saw.
- Chasing low-health targets deep into enemy airspace — over-commit.
What’s next
- For deeper control tips, open the How to fly guide.
- For unlocks, see the How to unlock planes guide.
- For loadout picks, check the Loadout tier list.
Once you have a few sorties under your belt, move on to the How to shoot down bosses guide for the mid-game.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the most common questions.
Which team is better for new pilots?
Both teams have similar starter planes. Pick based on which plane list you like the look of; gameplay is balanced.
Can I switch teams later?
Yes, but your XP and unlocks reset for the new team. Most pilots commit to one team for the season.
What is the best starter plane?
The P-40 Warhawk (Allied) and Ki-43 Oscar (Axis) are the easiest turn fighters to fly. Pick them once unlocked.