Ships are on the core of Star Citizen, and studying the best way to correctly use yours is simply as necessary as each different system the sport has in place. You may use ships for just about the whole lot that you may’t do on foot, whether or not or not it’s mining, cargo hauling, dogfighting, or simply common area journey. If you happen to’re a brand new participant making an attempt Star Citizen out for the primary time, you then would possibly get somewhat overwhelmed will of the hoops it’s worthwhile to soar by way of simply to get your ship off your hangar, so here is a fast information on the fundamentals of the best way to fly your first ship.
The Finest Video games of the 2020s So Far – Up to date November 2025
These are the most effective video games of the 2020s to date, overlaying titles from the final 5 years.
Necessary Controls
Earlier than we start, here is an inventory of default keybindings for common ship controls out and in of flight:
- I to activate ship engines
- U to activate ship programs
- Okay to activate VTOL engines (if obtainable)
- F4 to vary digicam perspective (Fn +F4 for those who’re on a laptop computer)
- N to have interaction/disengage touchdown gear
- B to have interaction Quantum Journey
- WASD for horizontal motion
- Area and Management vertical motion
- Mouse to steer/orient
- Q/E to roll
- Alt + N to request touchdown/take-off
- Y (maintain) to exit your seat
Getting Your Ship
For simplicity’s sake, this information will use New Babbage because the place of reference, since it is the beneficial beginning space for brand spanking new gamers. Almost all ships in Star Residents comply with the identical commonplace procedures.
The very first thing it’s worthwhile to do is to retrieve your ship in Star Citizen, assuming you have not already. You are able to do this by heading to the area port in New Babbage (NBIS) and discovering a Fleet Supervisor terminal; there must be a couple of in entrance of the elevators resulting in the hangars. There may also be a terminal contained in the hangar itself.
Work together with a terminal, then choose the ship you need to retrieve. After that, enter an unoccupied elevator to go to your private hangar. Right here, you’ll examine your ship and make any needed in-flight preparations.
The right way to Request Take Off/Touchdown in Star Citizen
As soon as you have entered your ship, head on to the pilot seat, then press the U key to start out your ship’s programs. If wanted, press the I key as properly to start out the engines. Press the Area and Management buttons to regulate your altitude, the WASD keys to maneuver, and transfer your mouse to regulate your ship’s nostril pitch. Lastly, toggle your touchdown gear with N so you do not prohibit your pace.
Earlier than you possibly can go away the hangar, nevertheless, you may must contact the native air site visitors controller. You are able to do this the great distance by urgent F1 and going to the Comms channel, then choosing your present space’s channel to request permissions from ATC. Alternatively, you possibly can simply press Alt + N, or use the Communications display screen on considered one of your ship’s screens to hail ATC immediately.
Solely disengage your touchdown gear as soon as you have cleared the hangar. Additionally, we suggest partaking your touchdown gear if you’re near a hangar entrance. That is to maintain you from smashing your ship in opposition to one thing.
The right way to Use Quantum Journey in Star Citizen
Quantum Journey enables you to journey by way of area rapidly or path towards aims/POIs, such because the gateway to the Pyro system. To make use of your ship’s quantum drive, press and maintain the B button. Doing it will spool up your ship’s drive, however it’s going to additionally disable your shields. Solely do that when you already know it is protected.
When your quantum drive is absolutely spooled, your ship will now be capable of journey at a lot greater speeds than regular. Extra importantly, you’ll now be capable of Quantum Journey to any focal point that seems in your display screen, offered that it is not obstructed. To take action, level your ship crosshair towards any POI in your HUD, then wait in your quantum drive to calibrate. After that, press and maintain LMB to provoke the soar.


