How do I complete a gate-to-gate flight in FSX?
To complete a full gate-to-gate flight in FSX, start at a parking stand, create and load a route, prepare and start the aircraft, obtain clearance, push back, taxi and depart. Follow the route through climb and cruise, descend and land, then taxi to an assigned gate and shut down.
The basic workflow is the same in boxed FSX and FSX: Steam Edition. Aircraft-specific speeds, checklists and cockpit controls differ, especially with complex add-ons, so use the aircraft documentation where it overrides the general procedure below.
Which FSX flight-plan type should I use?
Use an IFR Direct GPS plan for the easiest first airline flight, or an IFR airway plan when you want a more structured route. VFR is better for visual flying because you remain responsible for navigation and descent planning.
| Flight-plan option | Choose it when | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| IFR Direct GPS | You want the simplest route and full FSX ATC handling | A direct GPS track, plus ATC clearances, altitude instructions and possible vectors |
| IFR airways | You want a more conventional airline-style route | More waypoints and turns; older FSX navigation data may not match modern charts |
| VFR | You want to navigate visually or practise in a light aircraft | No IFR clearance or guaranteed ATC descent guidance |
Our FSX route-planning walkthrough explains how to create, save and load each type. Loading a plan does not make the aircraft fly it automatically.
How do I complete an FSX gate-to-gate flight?
- Choose suitable airports and an aircraft. Check that both airports have runways long enough for the aircraft and that the destination has appropriate parking. Set the weather and time before planning because wind may change the active runway and your likely departure direction.
- Create and check the route. Select VFR or IFR, choose the routing method and set a sensible cruising altitude. Carry enough fuel for the route, approach, possible go-around and reserve; filling every tank needlessly makes the aircraft heavier. If FSX asks to move the aircraft after loading the plan, accept only when the departure airport is wrong, then reselect the required parking stand.
- Load the flight at a gate or parking stand. In the departure location, choose a gate, ramp or parking position rather than the active runway. Match the stand to the aircraft size, apply the parking brake and confirm that the throttles are idle before changing cockpit controls.
- Prepare and start the aircraft. Set electrical power, fuel systems, avionics, altimeter, trim and flight controls according to the checklist. Default aircraft can be started automatically with
Ctrl+E, while detailed add-ons may require their own start sequence and may ignore that command. For a realistic setup, follow our cold-and-dark and engine-start procedure. - Obtain clearance and set the cockpit. For an IFR plan, open FSX ATC, request clearance and note the cleared runway, initial altitude and departure instructions. Check that the GPS contains the intended route, set the initial altitude and heading, tune any required radios, and complete the before-start or before-push checklist.
- Close up and push back. Close the doors, retract the jetway and switch on the beacon before starting or moving the aircraft. The default jetway command is
Ctrl+Jat a compatible stand, while pushback normally usesShift+P. Not every parking position has an animated jetway; our jetway and pushback instructions cover the conditions and controls. - Request taxi clearance. Once the engines are stable and the pushback is complete, contact Ground and request taxi. Follow the assigned taxiways or enable progressive taxi if the airport layout is unfamiliar. Keep an airliner near 10–15 knots on straight sections, slow further for tight turns, and stop at the runway holding point.
- Complete the take-off checks and depart. Confirm the runway, trim, flaps, controls, instruments and lights before contacting Tower. Enter the runway only when cleared. Use the aircraft's specified take-off and rotation speeds, retract the gear after a positive climb, then retract flaps on schedule rather than all at once.
- Follow ATC through the climb. Fly assigned headings and stop at each cleared altitude. If using the default GPS and autopilot, select GPS as the navigation source where the cockpit has a NAV/GPS selector, establish an intercept towards the active route leg, and then engage NAV mode. Engage the autopilot only after the aircraft is stable and correctly trimmed.
- Monitor the cruise and prepare the arrival. Check fuel, engine indications, weather and ATC frequencies rather than leaving the simulator unattended. Review the expected runway, approach frequency, inbound course, airport elevation and missed-approach plan. A useful descent estimate is three nautical miles for every 1,000 feet to lose, plus extra distance to slow down.
- Descend, approach and land. Follow ATC altitude and heading instructions, but manage speed yourself because default FSX ATC does not do that for you. Configure flaps and gear progressively and aim to be stable before reaching the runway. If assigned an instrument arrival, our step-by-step FSX ILS procedure covers tuning NAV1, intercepting the localiser and capturing the glideslope. Go around if the approach is unstable or the runway is not clear.
- Taxi to parking and shut down. Vacate the runway when safe, retract flaps, disarm spoilers, set the appropriate lights and contact Ground for taxi to parking. Stop accurately at the assigned stand, apply the parking brake, shut down the engines, turn off the beacon after they stop, and then secure fuel, lights, avionics and electrical power. Connect the jetway only after the aircraft is parked and safe.
Why will the autopilot not follow the FSX GPS route?
The usual cause is an incorrect navigation source, an inactive flight-plan leg or an aircraft using its own flight-management system. A mistake we see constantly is arming NAV mode while the cockpit selector still points to NAV radios rather than GPS.
- Confirm that the route appears in the FSX GPS and that the intended leg is active.
- Set the NAV/GPS selector to GPS where the aircraft provides one.
- Use heading mode to establish a reasonable intercept angle, then arm NAV mode.
- Do not expect a complex add-on's autopilot to follow the default FSX GPS; its route may need to be entered into the aircraft's own FMC.
What should I do when FSX ATC gives a poor descent?
Prepare the descent yourself even when using default FSX ATC, because its altitude sequencing and vectors can leave the aircraft high or close to the runway. Reduce speed early, use the ATC request for a lower altitude when it is available, and do not force a steep, unstable approach merely to comply.
If there is not enough distance to configure and descend safely, level off or go around as appropriate. A missed approach is a normal procedure; diving towards the glideslope from above usually prevents a reliable capture.
When is a gate-to-gate flight complete in FSX?
An FSX gate-to-gate flight is operationally complete when the aircraft is parked at the destination, the parking brake is set and the engines and aircraft systems are shut down. Free Flight does not normally display a mission-style completion message, so end the session only after parking if you want the logbook to reflect the whole flight.