A path to being a great pilot begins with a takeoff. And that might actually be one of the hardest parts of piloting an aircraft in War Thunder. If you are diving into the world of intense air combat you will have to learn how to do it. Here’s the guide on how to takeoff in War Thunder that will get you up in the skies in no time!
There are three game modes in War Thunder: Arcade Battles, Realistic Battles and Simulator Battles. Both have key differences when it comes to controls and gameplay overall. These game modes are available for both ground and air combat but we will break down everything plane-related. If you are new to the game we highly recommend starting with the Arcade to get the feel of the game.
How to Takeoff in War Thunder Arcade Battles
Arcade is a default game mode in War Thunder. It has intuitive controls, a simplified UI, and takes less time to play. In Arcade Air Battles you will start the game up in the air for the most part. However, depending on the objective you might have to land on the runway to contest the objective and then fly back up. Or you might want to land somewhere yourself.
To takeoff in War Thunder Arcade Battles:
- Hold “LSHIFT” for maximum throttle
- Steer the mouse up to start gaining altitude
- After a brief flight the gear and flaps will retrace automatically
The takeoff in Arcade is as simple as it can get. Floor the throttle, aim the plane up and you are away. All the other details like flaps, gear will be sorted automatically. But be aware that you will need to deploy them manually for landing.
How to Takeoff in War Thunder Realistic Battles
Realistic battles are a bit more complicated. When playing Realistic Battles you will start the game on the ground (airfield, aircraft carrier, etc.) so you will need to takeoff yourself whether you want it or not. The takeoff procedure itself, however, is the same as in Arcade Battles with nothing much to do manually. You can switch the flaps and gear yourself but it’s not necessary.
To takeoff in War Thunder Realistic Battles:
- Hold “LSHIFT” for maximum throttle
- Steer the mouse up to start gaining altitude
- After a brief flight the gear and flaps will retrace automatically
You will see many other planes on the airfield but don’t worry you will not hit them when taking off. Planes can fly through each other as there is nothing in front of them during the takeoff.
How to Takeoff in War Thunder Simulator Battles
The Simulator Battles is the most hardcore mode for a few reasons. Firstly, you are limited to the cockpit view of the plane. Secondly, the controls and plane’s behaviour is as realistic as possible. The battle will start on the arifield but your plane will require a takeoffpreparation procedure. You will need to make sure the engine is running and that the flaps are ready.
To takeoff in War Thunder Simulator Battles:
- Press “I” to start the engine
- Press “]” a few times to switch flaps into “Takeoff” mode
- Hold “LSHIFT” for maximum throttle
- Steer the mouse up to start gaining altitude
- Once in the air press “G” to hide the landing gear
- Press”[” a few times to switch flaps into “Raised” mode
While accelerating on the ground, the plane can chaotically pull left or right. Use yaw controls (“Q” and “E”) to steer the plane while on the ground. You can use the mouse as well but it’s less effective as the yaw is made to control the plane on the land.
It is important that you follow these steps for smooth takeoff. Technically you can ignore most of them and still take off but the plane will be much harder to control. Flaps allow you for more controllable takeoff and raising gear and flaps once in the air makes your aircraft much more stable.
Reaching the Skies
We have a liftoff! Now it’s time for you to master other parts of flying: manouvering, air combat, air to ground combat, and landing. Make sure to put some time into practice and we promise, you will end up on the top of the leaderboard of every match.
