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Flying in Battlefield 6 isn’t easy because planes and helicopters have controls that are very different from ground vehicles or soldiers on foot. It takes time to get used to, especially with the fast Little Bird scout helicopter. Improving your flying skills during a match can be tough, especially since anti-air weapons are everywhere. To help those trying to master the skies, here’s a simple guide explaining how the controls work, how to change them if needed, and some tips for flying jets and helicopters to help you dominate the air.
Basic Flying Tips in Battlefield 6
The default controls for planes and helicopters are the same if you’re using a controller. Here’s a quick rundown:
- Right stick: controls the pitch (nose up or down) and roll (rotation side to side). Push forward to pitch down, back to pitch up. Note: pitch is inverted by default.
- Left stick: handles yaw (turning left or right) and throttle (speed control).
- R2/RT: fire weapons. Some weapons need to lock on before firing. Use Triangle/Y to switch weapons.
- L2/LT: zoom in.
- Right stick press: switches between first-person pilot view and third-person camera.
- Left stick press: activates afterburners (jets only, when throttle is high).
- D-pad left/right: select equipment slots 1 and 2.
- D-pad down: engage freelook mode to look around with the right stick.
- Square/X button: exit the vehicle.
Many players find that the default helicopter controls can be tricky, so it’s recommended to switch to the Alternate control scheme. In this setup, throttle controls move to R2/RT and L2/LT, while firing moves to L1/LB and R1/RB. It takes some getting used to, but it makes flying helicopters much easier by separating yaw and throttle controls.
To change your controls, go to Settings > Controller tab, press Triangle/Y to edit, then find the ‘Aircraft’ and ‘Helicopter’ sections and switch to the Alternate layout.
Tips for Staying Alive When Flying
- Watch out for threats: Enemy lock-on missiles, anti-air tanks, and even ground-based RPGs can shooting you down. Avoid flying into enemy deployment zones, where anti-air guns are common.
- Cycle your camera view: Switch between first and third person to get a better idea of your surroundings and spot threats easier.
- Use flares wisely: Deploy flares only when indicated by the “INCOMING” warning. After firing them, wait for recharge before using again.
- Use terrain for cover: Fly low behind hills, in gorges, or near structures to avoid being targeted.
- Return to your deployment zone for repairs: Fly low and slow past your base’s vehicle station to get repaired and restocked, especially for jets which can’t repair themselves.
- Bail out if needed: If your aircraft is badly damaged and you lack flares, jumping out with a parachute and returning on foot might be your best bet.
Battlefield 6 Helicopter Tips
- Gunners are crucial: Having a teammate handle the guns adds heavy firepower, especially with guided missiles and autocannons.
- Use yaw to turn: Unlike jets, you should mainly use yaw controls to steer left or right. Mastering yaw combined with roll lets you make sharp turns. Be careful: too much roll can cause your chopper to flip.
- Manage throttle like altitude: Increasing throttle makes the helicopter rise. Combining this with nose pitch lets you fly forward or backward. Decrease throttle to descend quickly, but avoid crashing.
- Hover carefully: While the game assists by stabilizing your hover, staying still leaves you vulnerable. Moving around keeps you safer, but you need to slow down to aim your rockets accurately.
Battlefield 6 Jet Tips
- Prioritize enemy aircraft: Jets are best suited for fighting other planes. Focus on shooting down enemy jets first using your auto-cannon, which can’t be countered with flares. Gaining air superiority allows you to attack ground targets safely.
- Adjust throttle and use afterburners: Maintain a balance for tight turns, and use afterburners when you need extra speed. Avoid flying straight up, as it leads to losing speed and control, making you vulnerable.
- Beware of stalling: Flying too slowly or trying to do sharp turns at low speed can stall your jet, leaving you helpless.
- Remember, jets appear after the first minute of the match, either flying in when you spawn or needing to take off from a runway like in large maps.
With these tips, flying in Battlefield 6 can become more manageable. Remember, practice is key, and experimenting with control schemes can make your experience much smoother. Good luck taking to the skies!





