See the default Xbox controller controls in MSFS 2024 for flight, throttle, brakes, flaps, trim, landing gear, cameras and cursor mode.
In Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, the default Xbox controller uses the left stick for pitch and roll, the triggers for rudder, A/B for throttle, X for wheel brakes, the bumpers for flaps, and the right stick for looking around. Y acts as a modifier for trim and the parking brake.
What is the default Xbox controller layout in MSFS 2024?
The standard fixed-wing profile puts essential flying controls directly on the gamepad and leaves most cockpit systems to cursor interaction. These are the principal default in-flight bindings:
| Xbox input | Default action | How it works |
|---|---|---|
| Left stick | Elevator and ailerons | Move up or down for pitch and left or right for roll. |
LT / RT | Rudder left / right | Also provides nose-wheel steering on aircraft where steering follows the rudder. |
A / B | Increase / decrease throttle | Normally moves the throttles together. Reverse-thrust behaviour depends on the aircraft and its throttle detents. |
X | Wheel brakes | Hold the button to apply the brakes. |
Y + B | Toggle parking brake | Use the modifier chord rather than pressing both buttons at random. |
LB / RB | Decrease / increase flaps | LB retracts the flaps by one stage; RB extends them. |
| D-pad down | Toggle landing gear | Has no useful effect on fixed-gear aircraft. |
Y + D-pad up | Nose-down elevator trim | Hold Y before pressing the D-pad. |
Y + D-pad down | Nose-up elevator trim | Pressing D-pad down before the modifier can trigger the landing-gear command instead. |
This table describes the supplied fixed-wing gamepad profile. Helicopters and specialised aircraft can use different control categories, while a custom or imported profile may no longer match these defaults.
What are the default camera and cockpit controls?
The gamepad switches between flying, camera and interface contexts, so several buttons change function when a menu or cockpit cursor has focus.
| Xbox input | Default camera or interface action |
|---|---|
| Right stick | Look around the cockpit or external view |
| Press right stick | Reset the active camera view |
| View button | Switch between cockpit and external camera modes |
| Press left stick | Toggle the cockpit cursor |
| Left stick with cursor active | Move the cockpit cursor |
A | Select or activate the highlighted interface item |
B | Cancel, go back or leave the selected interaction |
| D-pad | Navigate menus and supported interface panels |
| Menu button | Open the pause menu |
Camera zoom, instrument views and specialist camera shortcuts depend on the active camera context. Our camera and view control reference explains those layers without mixing them up with the flight controls.
Why can one Xbox button perform two actions?
MSFS 2024 uses context-sensitive controls, allowing a limited number of gamepad buttons to operate the aircraft, menus and cockpit cursor. For example, A increases throttle during normal flight but confirms a selection when an interface panel has focus.
This is also why an apparently unresponsive flight control may not be broken. Press the left stick to leave cursor mode, close any focused panel, then try the command again. With modifier combinations, hold Y first and press the second button afterwards.
How do I check or restore the default Xbox bindings?
The Controls settings show the authoritative bindings for the active controller and profile. They are more reliable than a diagram from Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 or a profile that has since been customised.
- Open the Controls settings from the main or pause menu.
- Select the Xbox controller, not the keyboard, mouse or another connected device.
- Choose the supplied default profile for general and aircraft controls if a custom or blank profile is active.
- Search by input and press the button or combination you want to inspect. This reveals every action assigned to that input.
- Create a separate custom profile before changing anything, then save and apply it.
If the controller is missing or the wrong profile keeps loading, follow our controller connection and profile setup steps. For custom commands, profile copies and conflict checks, use our binding and profile-saving procedure.
Which aircraft controls are not covered by the default gamepad layout?
Many avionics, autopilot, lighting and engine-management commands are not given dedicated gamepad buttons. Use cockpit cursor mode for occasional functions and create custom bindings for controls needed during busy phases of flight.
Complex aircraft may also interpret generic commands differently. A throttle-decrease command does not guarantee identical reverse thrust in every jet, and helicopter collective or engine controls should not be treated like a conventional aeroplane throttle.
Why are the default Xbox controls not working properly?
Most Xbox control problems come from the wrong profile, an active interface context or competing inputs rather than a faulty controller.
- No response: confirm that the controller is selected and that its supplied profile is active.
- Sticks operate the cursor: press the left stick to leave cursor mode and return control to the aircraft.
- Gear moves while trimming: hold
Ybefore pressing D-pad down so the simulator recognises the complete chord. - Controls move by themselves: disconnect or unassign duplicate axes on another joystick, throttle or controller.
- Aircraft feels twitchy: add a small dead zone and reduce sensitivity rather than changing the core flight bindings. Our gamepad sensitivity and dead-zone recommendations provide a practical starting point.
- Only one aircraft behaves differently: check its aircraft-specific profile and any specialised control requirements.