David J wrote:

In FS 2004 , how do I turn off or set the views so when I use the hat
switch on my joystick and look out the side windows or behind me I can see
everything. When I do this now I mostly see my own airplane. I remember
in FS98 you could turn off a setting that made it where you didn't see
your own airplane.

Try pressing W to switch off the cockpit before turning your view.

Jafar