Learn when flight simulators can taxi aircraft automatically, why autopilot cannot do it, MSFS 2020 limits, and how to fix failed AI taxiing.
Most flight simulators do not have a universal automatic-taxi mode. ATC or a taxi ribbon can tell you where to go, but you normally steer, brake and manage thrust yourself. Hands-off taxiing is possible only through a supported AI pilot, copilot, scripted activity or aircraft-specific add-on, and it requires supervision.
This is a general flight-simulator answer covering Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 and 2024, X-Plane, Prepar3D and similar civilian sims. Labels and availability vary by aircraft, assistance preset, activity and add-on, so the presence of ATC or a cockpit autopilot does not mean auto-taxi is supported.
What counts as automatic taxi in a flight simulator?
Automatic taxi means the simulator controls the aircraft's ground route, steering, thrust and braking without continuous pilot input.
| Feature | What it does | True automatic taxi? |
|---|---|---|
| AI pilot or copilot ground control | Follows a route and operates steering, thrust and brakes | Yes, when fully supported |
| Taxi ribbon or route line | Shows the route on the ground | No |
| ATC taxi clearance | Assigns taxiways, a runway or a parking destination | No |
| Auto-rudder or steering assistance | Simplifies the pilot's steering input | No |
| Taxi-speed control | Controls or limits speed while the pilot steers | Partial assistance |
| Automatic pushback | Moves the aircraft away from the stand | No; it normally ends after pushback |
| AI traffic | Operates computer-controlled aircraft rather than yours | Not for the player aircraft |
If by “automatically” you mean that the aircraft drives itself with no steering, throttle or brake input, only full AI ground control qualifies. The mistake we see most often is treating a route line, taxi clearance or speed controller as an automatic taxi pilot.
Does Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 have an automatic taxi mode?
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 has taxi guidance and AI assistance, but it does not provide one dependable auto-taxi switch that works with every aircraft, airport and flight type.
The taxi ribbon only displays the route. Broader AI control may operate the aircraft in supported situations, but its availability and behaviour can depend on the activity, assistance configuration, aircraft systems and airport's coded taxi network. Assistance settings and toolbar controls are separate from the autopilot controls in the cockpit.
If the available options mention only route guidance, radio communications, checklists or assisted steering, full hands-off taxiing is not enabled. The same distinction applies to Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 and, broadly, to X-Plane and Prepar3D: guidance is common, while universal automatic taxiing is not.
What about autopilot — can it taxi the aircraft?
No. A normal aircraft autopilot is designed for flight and has no airport-routing function or general authority over nosewheel steering, differential braking and ground obstacles.
An accurately modelled autoland system may track the runway centreline during rollout, while autobrakes may slow the aircraft after touchdown. Neither system chooses a taxiway, turns towards the terminal or drives to a gate. Our explanation of simulator autopilot authority and limitations covers what those systems can actually command.
Is “airborne taxi” an autopilot mode?
Airborne taxi is not an ordinary fixed-wing taxi mode. Once an aeroplane leaves the ground, it is flying; “air taxi” usually describes low-level helicopter or VTOL movement near the surface.
Any assistance during an air taxi comes from aircraft-specific flight controls or stability systems, not the ground auto-taxi function discussed here. It should not be confused with a taxiing aeroplane that briefly bounces because of excessive speed or uneven scenery.
When can an AI taxi pilot move the aircraft automatically?
An AI pilot can taxi the player aircraft only when the simulator or add-on explicitly gives it ground-control capability.
- Full AI or copilot control: Best for accessibility or hands-off operation, provided the selected aircraft and airport are compatible.
- Scripted missions and demonstrations: These can follow a predefined ground sequence but may not work outside that activity.
- Aircraft-specific automation: A particular add-on may provide taxi-speed control or broader ground handling unavailable to other aircraft.
- Computer-controlled traffic: Other aircraft may park, push back and taxi automatically. That does not mean the same controls are available for the player's aircraft; see how AI traffic follows airport routes.
Choose full AI control when accessibility and convenience matter most. Choose speed assistance when you want to steer but reduce throttle-and-brake workload. Use route guidance with manual control when realistic ground handling is the priority.
Does simulator ATC taxi the aircraft for you?
Simulator ATC normally provides a clearance and route but does not steer or brake the aircraft.
A clearance such as “taxi to runway via…” tells you which taxiways to use and where to stop. You still operate the aircraft unless a separate AI-control feature is active. Our guide to taxi clearances and simulator ATC explains that division of responsibility.
Why does automatic taxi stop, swerve or refuse to move?
Automatic taxi usually fails because the AI route, aircraft state, control hardware and airport path data do not agree.
- Confirm the correct automation is active. A cockpit autopilot, taxi ribbon or AI radio assistant will not move the aircraft. Look for a control that explicitly hands aircraft operation to the AI or copilot.
- Remove physical blockers. Release the parking brake, remove wheel chocks, disconnect the tug or pushback equipment and make sure the aircraft has a working source of propulsion. Some detailed aircraft also require hydraulic pressure before steering or braking behaves normally.
- Check for unwanted hardware input. A noisy brake axis, off-centre rudder, held button or duplicate steering assignment can fight the AI. Calibrate the device, add a small dead zone where necessary and remove conflicting bindings.
- Check the route and clearance. An AI pilot may wait at a hold point for take-off or crossing clearance. If no destination or valid taxi route has been assigned, request or select one before assuming the feature is broken.
- Isolate scenery and aircraft conflicts. Test a standard aircraft at an unmodified airport. If automatic taxi works there, custom aircraft logic or a scenery package's hidden taxi network is the likely cause. Visible pavement does not guarantee that the AI sees a connected route.
- Disconnect unsafe automation. Take over if the aircraft cuts corners, leaves the pavement, accelerates towards traffic or becomes stuck in repeated steering corrections. AI taxi systems do not reliably judge every wingtip, vehicle or scenery object.
An aircraft that stops before a runway may be obeying a hold-short point rather than failing. By contrast, driving through a building, across grass or into a closed taxiway usually indicates bad airport pathing or scenery that no longer matches the simulator's navigation data.
What should I use if there is no auto-taxi?
Use ATC instructions, airport signs or a visual route aid to find the path, then taxi manually with steering, thrust and brakes.
For a VFR flightsimmer at an unfamiliar airport, the taxi ribbon or map can reduce the navigation workload without taking away control. Keep the aircraft slow enough to stop within the clear pavement ahead; there is no single correct taxi speed for every aircraft or turn.
- Obtain a route. Request taxi clearance or enable visual guidance, then identify the first taxiway and any runway crossings.
- Prepare the aircraft. Finish pushback, clear ground equipment, release the parking brake and verify that rudder, tiller or differential braking responds.
- Begin with minimum power. Many aircraft continue accelerating at idle once moving, so avoid carrying excess thrust towards a turn.
- Slow before turning. Brake while straight, then steer through the corner. Large steering inputs will not rescue an aircraft entering too fast.
- Respect hold points. Stop before an active runway unless cleared to enter or cross it. After landing, vacate safely and obtain a route to the assigned gate or stand.
For detailed control technique and the full outbound sequence, follow our manual gate-to-runway taxi procedure.