How do I request and control pushback in a flight simulator?

To request pushback in a flight simulator, park at a recognised gate, open Ground Services, ATC or the aircraft EFB, and call the tug. Once it connects, release the parking brake when instructed, choose the route or turn direction, stop on the taxi lane, set the brake and disconnect.

For a general flight simulator, the exact menu and controller binding vary, but that sequence remains the same. Pushback is tug movement, not reverse taxiing with engine power. Use only one system at a time: the built-in service, the aircraft's electronic flight bag (EFB), or a ground-handling add-on.

How do you request pushback and control the tug?

The reliable procedure is to prepare the aircraft, connect one tug, release the brakes on command and control the movement through that tug's own interface.

1. Prepare the stand. Set the parking brake, close the required doors, retract the jetway and check that the intended path is clear. Remove wheel chocks only when the aircraft or ground-handling system requires it.
2. Choose one pushback system. Use the simulator's Ground Services menu, the aircraft EFB or an add-on such as GSX. The mistake we see most often is starting the built-in tug and an add-on together.
3. Request the tug. Select Request Pushback, Prepare for Pushback or the equivalent command. Keep the parking brake set while the tug approaches and attaches.
4. Confirm that it is connected. Wait for the ground crew message or attachment animation. Releasing the brake before connection can let the aircraft roll.
5. Release the parking brake when instructed. Leave the throttles at idle and keep your feet off the toe brakes. An active brake axis can hold the aircraft even when the cockpit lever appears released.
6. Select the route or direction. Choose straight, left or right, or confirm a planned route. Check whether the interface describes the nose, tail or final aircraft heading.
7. Stop slightly early. Use the tug's stop command rather than riding the aircraft brakes. Menu delay and tug momentum can carry the aircraft beyond the intended point.
8. Set the brake and disconnect. Once stationary, apply the parking brake when requested and dismiss the tug. Do not add taxi thrust until the tug and crew are clear of the nose gear.

Where do I access the pushback option?

Pushback is normally accessed through Ground Services, the ATC or communications panel, the aircraft EFB, or a dedicated add-on menu.

• Built-in service: open the simulator's toolbar, ATC, communications or Ground Services panel while parked at a gate.
• Aircraft EFB: detailed airliners may provide their own ground-services page and may ignore the default tug.
• Add-on interface: GSX and other pushback tools use their own menu, route planner and commands.
• Control assignments: search for pushback, pushback left, pushback right and stop pushback. A keyboard or controller command may be unassigned.

If the option is missing or greyed out, move to a marked gate or parking stand. A runway, taxiway, remote starting point or incorrectly configured custom airport may not have a service point that a tug can reach.

How do I request pushback in MSFS 2024 on PS5 or PS5 Pro?

In Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 on PS5, use the controller to open the in-sim toolbar or communications panel, select Ground Services and request pushback, unless the aircraft directs you to its EFB instead.

1. Start at a gate with the parking brake set.
2. Open Ground Services through the toolbar or communications interface using the active controller preset.
3. Select Request Pushback and wait for the tug to attach.
4. Release the parking brake only after the ground crew asks.
5. Use the displayed direction and stop commands, then set the brake and disconnect.

There is no single PS5 button combination that applies to every controller preset and aircraft. If you cannot access the toolbar, inspect Control Options for the toolbar and pushback assignments. PS5 Pro uses the same in-sim workflow.

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 was never released for PlayStation. Instructions claiming to show MSFS 2020 pushback on PS5 are referring to MSFS 2024 or to another platform.

How do I request pushback in MSFS 2024 or MSFS 2020 on Xbox and PC?

On Xbox and PC, open the MSFS toolbar or ATC panel, enter Ground Services and select Request Pushback, or use the ground page supplied by the aircraft.

After attachment, follow the brake prompt and use the menu's left, right, straight and stop options where available. Xbox controller prompts depend on the selected preset, while PC users can also assign pushback commands to a keyboard, joystick or button box. Our step-by-step MSFS tug walkthrough covers requesting, steering, stopping and dismissing the built-in tug.

GSX pushback controls: what should you select?

With GSX, open the GSX interface, prepare the aircraft for pushback, choose the offered route or final direction and follow the ground crew's parking-brake instructions.

• Use the GSX menu throughout. Do not start the simulator's default tug or press its pushback-left and pushback-right commands during a GSX operation.
• Confirm the route before moving. Depending on the airport profile, GSX may offer a simple direction, a predefined route or an editable path.
• Do not steer with the rudder. GSX controls the tug unless a specific aircraft or configuration explicitly provides another method.
• Stop through GSX. Once stationary, set the parking brake when prompted and wait for the tug to disconnect and clear.

If no suitable route appears, check the selected parking stand and airport profile. Do not force the aircraft backwards with reverse thrust. GSX is a PC add-on, so it is not the pushback method on Xbox, PS5 or PS5 Pro.

Choose GSX when you want coordinated ground handling and profile-based routes. Use the built-in service for a quick pushback or on consoles, and use the aircraft EFB when that aircraft package requires its own ground system.

Which pushback controls does each simulator use?

There is no universal pushback key, so the active simulator, aircraft and add-on determine which control works.

Does pushback work differently in an Airbus A320?

An Airbus A320 uses the same basic tug sequence, but the source of the command depends on the particular A320 model installed in the simulator.

The default A320, a detailed third-party A320 and an aircraft using GSX may each expose pushback in a different place. Check the aircraft EFB first; if it has ground-services controls or wheel chocks, use that system consistently rather than mixing it with the simulator's default menu.

Before movement, close the required doors, retract the jetway, switch on the beacon when called for by the aircraft checklist and remove chocks. Leave the thrust levers at idle and do not use the tiller to fight the tug. Engine start during pushback depends on the aircraft checklist and operating procedure, not on the tug control itself.

What do left and right mean during pushback?

Left and right may refer to the aircraft's tail, nose, final heading or tug direction, so read the label or route preview before selecting one.

A tail-left command swings the tail left and the nose right. A system describing nose direction would call the same movement nose right. At an unfamiliar stand, use an external view or overhead route preview and stop immediately if the tug turns the wrong way.

Should I use rudder, brakes or throttle during pushback?

Normally, no: the tug should move and steer the aircraft while the throttles remain at idle and the aircraft brakes remain released.

• Rudder pedals or joystick: use them only if the active pushback system explicitly maps them to tug steering.
• Toe brakes: do not use them to regulate tug speed. A noisy or duplicated brake axis can repeatedly stop pushback.
• Forward thrust: never use it to help a slow or stuck tug.
• Reverse thrust: do not substitute it for pushback. It is unrealistic at most stands and can direct jet blast towards the terminal, vehicles and ground crew.

If a collision is imminent, use the brakes. For a routine stop, command the tug to stop first and set the parking brake once the aircraft is stationary.

Why is pushback stuck or not working?

Pushback usually fails because the tug is not properly attached, a brake or chock remains active, the stand cannot support the service, or two pushback systems are competing.

The message says the tug is not connected

If the tug is not connected, keep the parking brake set and wait for the attachment confirmation before issuing movement commands.

• Confirm that you requested the service from the system whose tug is actually present.
• Move to a recognised gate if the vehicle cannot find a path to the nose gear.
• Check that another tug or ground-handling add-on is not already active.
• At custom scenery, try another stand; the service point or vehicle path may be incorrectly placed.

The tug is connected, but the aircraft will not move

A connected tug that cannot move the aircraft is usually fighting the parking brake, wheel chocks or a brake-axis input.

• Release the parking brake only after the instruction appears.
• Remove EFB or add-on wheel chocks through the same system that installed them.
• Check that both toe-brake axes return fully to zero.
• Remove duplicate brake assignments and disable any second pushback tool.
• Keep the throttles at idle rather than trying to overpower the tug.

The aircraft moves but will not turn

A tug that only moves straight has usually received no turn command, received it too late or is following a straight planned route.

• In FSX, enter 1 or 2 promptly after Shift+P.
• In menu-driven systems, select or edit the route instead of assuming the rudder will steer.
• Check whether the direction describes the tail or the nose.
• Close any second tool that could be overriding the route.

Pushback stops immediately or will not disconnect

An immediate stop normally indicates a brake input or control conflict, while disconnection usually requires the aircraft to be stationary with the parking brake set.

Command the tug to stop, allow the aircraft to settle, set the parking brake and select disconnect or dismiss. If the problem persists in MSFS 2024, work through our checks for stuck tugs, chocks, brake axes and competing systems before reloading the stand.

How far should you push back, and what happens next?

Push back only far enough to place the aircraft on the taxi-lane centreline with room for the first turn and safe clearance for the tail and wingtips.

Stop before the nose passes the intended taxi line, because the aircraft may continue moving briefly after the command. Wait until the tug and ground crew are visibly clear, then request taxi clearance and begin taxiing with minimum practical thrust. Our taxi clearance and gate-to-runway procedure explains the next stage.

When using online ATC, verbal pushback or start approval and the simulator's tug command are separate actions. Obtain the required clearance from the controller, then operate the local tug through the simulator, aircraft or add-on interface.