Hiya,
If you have a stick that you can use a seperate driver from it to programme it's buttons etc then just map F9 onto your views (hat switches)
eg on my hat say to look above you in cockpit seat i map F9 + numpad 5 so F9 gives instant snap view action with said numpad key
As for the default view range i think it maybe Shift F1 which is for higher ended cpu/vidacrd users whereas Shift F2/F3 may aid lower spec'ed machines
(shift f1 closest view details shift f3 is furthest less detailed view)
And while you are asking about views etc you can alter your views in planes by doing this ......
In position you want to adjust press F7 once to get into alter view mode, then use page up/down keys arrows keys also in conjunction with numpad view keys to raise/lower/push/pull seat
When you have a view as you like it hit F10 to save that view and repeat on all views in all planes you use til they set as you want
If you make a mistake you can return to default view by hitting the Home key then F10 to save it
Once all views are set it's best to save them (C:HTC folder in there goto settings or wherever the views are) and save to a decent floppy or cdr/w if you have one
