Learn when flight simulators can taxi aircraft automatically, what taxi aids control, and why autopilot, ATC and route ribbons are not auto-taxi.
Most flight simulators do not provide a universal automatic-taxi mode. ATC may assign a route and visual aids may draw it, but you still steer, brake and manage thrust. Some simulators, AI pilots, aircraft scripts or add-ons can automate part or all of taxiing, with limitations that vary by product.
What counts as automatic taxi in a flight simulator?
Full automatic taxi means the simulator controls steering, thrust and braking from the stand to the runway, or from the runway to parking. Across Microsoft Flight Simulator, X-Plane, Prepar3D and older Flight Simulator titles, several less capable aids are also described informally as auto-taxi.
| Aid or feature | What it controls | Automatic taxi? |
|---|---|---|
| Taxi ribbon or route line | Displays the route only | No |
| ATC taxi clearance | Assigns taxiways and a destination | No |
| Steering assistance | Simplifies rudder or nosewheel response | Partial assistance |
| Taxi-speed control | May adjust thrust or braking | Partial assistance |
| AI pilot or copilot | May steer, accelerate and stop | Yes, where ground control is supported |
| Automatic pushback | Moves the aircraft away from the stand | No; it normally ends after pushback |
For example, MSFS 2020 taxi ribbons show where to go, but they do not move the aircraft. A mistake we see constantly is treating visual arrows or an ATC clearance as an automated control system.
Can the normal aircraft autopilot taxi?
No—the normal autopilot fitted to a simulated aircraft is not an automatic taxi system. It generally controls the aircraft's airborne axes and has no authority over nosewheel steering, differential braking or ground routing.
Autoland and rollout modes do not usually continue to the gate. Even where a model simulates runway centreline tracking or automatic braking after touchdown, the pilot must take over before leaving the runway. Our explanation of what a simulator autopilot actually controls covers that distinction in more detail.
When is hands-off taxiing available?
True hands-off taxiing is available only when a simulator, aircraft or add-on explicitly supports ground control. Common implementations include:
- AI pilot or copilot modes: These may taxi on the player's behalf, but support can depend on the aircraft, airport and type of flight being used.
- Scripted missions or demonstrations: The aircraft follows a predefined sequence rather than calculating a reusable taxi route.
- Aircraft-specific automation: Some add-on aircraft include custom ground-handling functions that are not available to other aircraft in the same simulator.
- External assistance: An add-on may automate just one task. For example, the PF3 v3.5.0 release details document automatic taxi-speed control, which controls speed rather than providing universal hands-off steering.
Choose full AI control when accessibility or convenience matters most. Choose taxi-speed assistance when you want to steer but reduce throttle-and-brake workload. For realistic operations, use ATC or route guidance and taxi manually.
Why does automatic taxi fail or behave badly?
Hands-off taxiing most often fails because the AI route, aircraft logic and airport's coded taxi network do not agree. Visible pavement is not necessarily the same as the hidden path data used by the simulator.
- Custom airport scenery: Changed taxiways, gates or hold points may not match the taxi network understood by the AI.
- Complex add-on aircraft: Custom braking, steering or engine logic may not respond correctly to generic AI commands.
- Conflicting controls: A noisy rudder axis, held brake button or active hardware input can override or fight the automation.
- Aircraft not ready to move: The parking brake, wheel chocks, ground equipment or an incomplete engine start can prevent taxiing.
- Poor obstacle awareness: AI may cut corners, miss wingtip clearance or stop indefinitely behind traffic.
Monitor any automatic taxi function and be ready to disconnect it. It should not be trusted to protect the aircraft from buildings, vehicles, other traffic or incorrect taxiway data.
What should I use if there is no auto-taxi?
Use ATC directions or visual guidance for the route, then control the aircraft yourself. The basic process is:
- Obtain the route. Request taxi clearance or enable the simulator's taxi guidance if you cannot identify the taxiways.
- Configure the aircraft. Remove chocks and ground equipment, release the parking brake and confirm that nosewheel or tailwheel steering responds.
- Start moving gently. Use the minimum thrust needed; many aircraft accelerate at idle once they begin rolling.
- Control the turn. Use rudder, a twist grip or a dedicated tiller as appropriate. Airliner models may give rudder pedals only limited nosewheel authority.
- Brake before the turn or hold point. Do not rely on large steering inputs to correct excessive speed.
Our practical gate-to-runway taxi procedure explains speed control, steering and stopping without assuming that the simulator will drive the aircraft for you.