See the default MSFS 2024 Xbox controls for flight, braking, trim, gear, cameras and cockpit use, plus fixes for wrong or unresponsive bindings.
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024’s default Xbox controller preset uses the left stick for pitch and roll, triggers for rudder, A/B for throttle, X for wheel brakes, bumpers for flaps and the right stick for the camera. Hold Y for trim, landing gear, spoilers and parking-brake shortcuts.
MSFS 2024 default Xbox controller layout
The supplied fixed-wing profile applies to an Xbox Wireless Controller on Xbox Series X|S or PC. Buttons can perform different actions while a menu, cockpit cursor or camera layer has focus.
| Xbox input | Default flight action | How it works |
|---|---|---|
| Left stick left/right | Roll | Controls the ailerons. |
| Left stick up/down | Pitch down/up | Controls the elevator. |
LT / RT | Rudder left/right | Also provides nose-wheel steering where it follows the rudder. |
A / B | Increase/decrease throttle | Normally moves all mapped throttles together. Reverse-thrust behaviour depends on the aircraft and its detents. |
X | Apply both wheel brakes | Hold the button for continuous braking. |
LB / RB | Retract/extend flaps | Moves the flaps by one stage. |
Y + D-pad up/down | Elevator trim | Up trims nose-down; down trims nose-up. |
Y + D-pad left/right | Rudder trim | Works only where rudder trim is available. |
Y + X | Toggle landing gear | Has no practical effect on fixed-gear aircraft. |
Y + A | Toggle spoilers | Availability and deployment depend on the aircraft. |
Y + B | Toggle parking brake | Use for parking rather than normal rollout braking. |
Hold Y before pressing the second control. Pressing the face button first may alter the throttle or apply the brakes instead of recognising the modifier chord.
Elevator-trim direction can feel counter-intuitive. Use short taps and watch the cockpit trim indicator, especially in a sensitive light aircraft.
How do I brake in Flight Simulator 2024 on Xbox?
Hold X to apply both wheel brakes, and release it as the aircraft reaches taxi speed. The button is not a differential brake control, so use the triggers for rudder or linked nose-wheel steering while keeping the aircraft straight.
Press Y + B to toggle the parking brake. If X selects a cockpit item instead of braking, leave cursor mode and return focus to the aircraft.
What are the default camera and cockpit controls?
The right stick controls the view, while the stick buttons switch or reset the active interaction layer.
| Xbox input | Default camera or interface action |
|---|---|
| Right stick | Look around in the active camera |
| Press right stick | Reset or centre the view |
| View button | Switch between cockpit and external cameras |
| Press left stick | Toggle cockpit cursor mode |
| Left stick in cursor mode | Move the cockpit cursor |
A in cursor mode | Select or operate the highlighted control |
B in cursor mode | Cancel, release or go back |
| D-pad | Navigate menus or use functions assigned by the active camera context |
| Menu button | Pause and open the pause menu |
Cursor mode is the usual reason A and B appear to stop controlling the throttle. Press the left stick to leave it and close any focused toolbar panel. If cockpit interaction still fails, check our guidance for resolving cockpit cursor and interaction problems on Xbox.
How do I check or restore the exact bindings?
The Controls settings are authoritative because simulator updates, custom profiles and imported mappings can differ from a printed layout.
- Open Controls settings from the main settings area or pause menu.
- Select the Xbox controller, not the keyboard, mouse or another connected device.
- Check the active profiles for aircraft and general controls. Select the supplied default profile if a custom or blank one is loaded.
- Search by input, then press the button or complete modifier chord to reveal its assignments.
- Search by command name, such as
Toggle Landing Gear, when you do not know the assigned input. - Duplicate the profile before editing so the factory mapping remains available.
If the device is missing or its profile will not load, use our Xbox controller connection and profile checks. For deliberate remapping, conflict removal and separate profile saving, follow the MSFS 2024 controller configuration procedure.
Why do my Xbox controls not match this layout?
The usual cause is a different profile, an active interface context or a competing input rather than a faulty controller.
- Custom or legacy profile: Select the supplied MSFS 2024 preset rather than relying on an MSFS 2020 diagram or an older saved profile.
- Cursor or menu focus: Leave cursor mode and close toolbar panels before testing flight controls.
- Incorrect chord timing: Hold
Yfirst, then tap the second input. - Duplicate assignments: Disconnect or unassign matching axes on another gamepad, joystick or throttle quadrant.
- Autopilot or assistance: These systems can oppose or override manual pitch, roll and throttle input.
- Aircraft-specific behaviour: Check the aircraft profile if only one aeroplane responds differently.
If the bindings work but the aircraft feels twitchy, keep the core axes and adjust dead zones, sensitivity and response instead. Our recommended Xbox controller sensitivity settings provide a practical starting point.
Does the default layout control every aircraft?
The default gamepad layout covers basic fixed-wing flying, but avionics, autopilot modes, lighting and detailed engine management usually require cockpit interaction or extra bindings.
Multi-engine aircraft normally interpret A and B as a collective throttle command rather than independent engine control. Helicopters can be flown with the standard controller, but a dedicated analogue collective axis gives finer control, and specialised aircraft may interpret generic throttle or reverse commands differently.