The quick answer

First separate two problems: an engine that does not respond to M, and a running engine with a stationary plane. Start with the pilot seat and a held M input; check fuel and required repairs before investigating brakes or throttle.

These are diagnostic checks, not confirmed fixes for a named bug. Begin with the description that matches what you can actually see.

01

M does nothing

  1. Make sure you are in the pilot seat, rather than a passenger seat or standing beside the aircraft.
  2. Hold M instead of tapping it. Close chat or any text-entry interface so the key reaches the game.
  3. Inspect the fuel indication and finish any outstanding tutorial or repair prompts.
What next? If the engine responds, move on to the rolling checks. If it remains silent, note what the cockpit shows before trying a new session.
02

The engine runs, but the plane stays still

  1. Use Shift to add throttle and observe whether the indicator changes.
  2. Check the parking brake state with P and release any held B input.
  3. Look for an obstruction or unfinished repair. Engine noise alone does not prove the aircraft is ready to move.
What next? Once it rolls, return to the takeoff sequence. If throttle and brake inputs have no visible effect, investigate input focus or session behavior.
03

The plane rolls, but will not lift off

  1. Check that you are using S to raise the nose. W pitches downward.
  2. Allow room to build speed before pitching up; use a small input rather than a long pull.
  3. If the aircraft behaves unevenly, stop safely and inspect the repair state before another attempt.
What next? Do not chase a made-up speed target. Aircraft condition, the available ground and game updates can change the result.
04

The controls still behave unexpectedly

  1. Compare the in-game prompts with this PC keyboard guide; a prompt in your current session takes priority.
  2. Record the symptom, whether the engine responds and which input fails. Separate those observations from guesses about the cause.
  3. A fresh session is a last diagnostic step. Check what progress you may lose before leaving.
What next? The developer labels the game early access and warns that bugs are possible. That warning does not confirm a particular engine bug or a guaranteed fix.

Change one thing at a time

If you change the seat, parts, throttle and session all at once, you will not know which change mattered. Start with the smallest visible check. Avoid dismantling a moving aircraft or treating a session restart as a guaranteed repair.

Once the aircraft responds normally, return to the first-flight guide. If the issue is remembering the inputs, keep the control table open beside your game.

Sources & scope

Know where the advice comes from.

Reviewed 27 October 2026. This independent guide combines the official game description, published community controls and our beginner recommendations. It does not claim hands-on game testing. In-game prompts take priority as early access changes.

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