VTOL VR is an accessible introduction to modern combat aviation in virtual reality. Because the game is designed around VR controllers rather than traditional HOTAS hardware, several cockpit interactions are not immediately obvious. This guide summarizes the most important and frequently used controls.
General Interaction
- Grip
- Grab the joystick or throttle.
- Trigger
- Press a cockpit button with your fingertip.
- Grip → Trigger → Action Button
- Open the in-game system menu.
Joystick
The joystick is used for primary flight control. Hold Grip to take control.
Flight Control
- Tilt forward/backward
- Pitch down/up.
- Tilt left/right
- Roll left/right.
- Twist left/right
- Yaw (rudder / nosewheel steering). This can also be done via hardware rudder pedals.
Buttons and Functions
- Trigger
- Fire weapon / uncage seeker.
- Action Button
- Cycle selected weapon / fire an uncaged weapon (weapon-dependent).
- Secondary Action Button
- Push-to-talk (PTT) for radio communications.
- Thumbpad
- Control the MFD currently designated as SOI (cursor movement, zoom TGP or scroll).
- Thumbpad Click
- Activate or toggle the selected SOI function.
Throttle
The throttle controls engine power. Hold Grip to move it.
Power Control
- Push forward / up
- Increase thrust.
- Pull backward / down
- Decrease thrust.
Buttons and Functions
- Trigger
- Wheel/air brakes. Wheel brakes can also be controlled via hardware rudder pedals.
- Action Button
- Deploy countermeasures (chaff/flares).
- Thumbpad up/down
- Adjust nozzle angle on VTOL-capable aircraft
- Thumbpad left/right
- Change active SOI
Helmet Interactions
Interactions are performed by touching or tapping the appropriate area of the helmet with your controller.
- Oxygen mask area
- Push-to-talk (PTT) for radio.
- Top of helmet
- Toggle NVG.
- Side of helmet
- Toggle HMD/HMCS display.
Source: The original manual of VTOL VR, and tons of Reddit posts.
Radio commands
An unique feature of VTOL VR is the ability to issue radio calls with your voice. You can check this feature by testing the voice commands in the settings menu of VTOL VR.
There is a list of known voice commands in the VTOL VR Wiki, but the most basic commands are:
- „Tower, [YOUR CALLSIGN], requesting takeoff.“
- „Tower, [YOUR CALLSIGN], requesting landing.“
There is also a whole bunch of community manuals available at „Flight Manuals“ from the VTOL VR Wiki as well as the VTOL VR Full Guide by ChaoticEnergy37.