Enable MSFS 2024 beginner assistance settings, customise the key aids, and fix Custom presets or controls that still make flying difficult.
To enable beginner assistance in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, open Settings, choose Assistances, and select All Assists, the easiest preset. Apply the change, then expand the categories if you want to retain aids such as auto-rudder, visual guidance and assisted checklists while turning off anything that interferes with manual flying.
How to turn on beginner assistance settings
- Open Settings. From the main screen, select Settings. During a flight, open the pause menu and choose Settings instead.
- Select Assistances. This contains the global preset and the individual piloting, navigation, aircraft-system and user-experience aids.
- Choose All Assists. Select the easiest, most assisted option under Assistance Preset. Preset wording can vary slightly between interface revisions, but it is the option intended for new pilots.
- Review the individual options. Expand each category if you want to customise what the preset enables.
- Apply the settings. Use the on-screen Apply or Save control if one is displayed, then resume the flight or start Free Flight to test them.
Most assists can be changed without restarting Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024. Button prompts differ between keyboard, Xbox controller and PlayStation controller, but the menu path remains Settings > Assistances.
Which assistance settings should beginners use?
All Assists is a sensible starting point, but the best setup depends on your controller and what you want to learn.
| Aid | Keep it enabled when | Disable it when |
|---|---|---|
| Assisted take-off and landing | You are learning basic controls or struggling to remain on the runway | You want to practise proper speeds, flare and directional control |
| Auto-rudder | You use a gamepad or joystick without a twist axis or pedals | You have working rudder pedals or want manual crosswind control |
| Auto-trim and flight protection | Aircraft control feels overwhelming during initial flights | You are learning trim, stalls or accurate hand-flying |
| Navigation and taxi guidance | You cannot find the runway, parking stand or next route waypoint | You can follow airport signs, charts and cockpit instruments |
| Checklist and system help | You are unfamiliar with starting and configuring the aircraft | You can complete the aircraft's procedures unaided |
| Reduced damage or failures | You want to practise without ending a flight after one mistake | You want errors and poor handling to have realistic consequences |
We recommend disabling one aid at a time rather than jumping straight from All Assists to a realism preset. Auto-rudder is useful without pedals, while auto-trim is often the first piloting aid to investigate if the aircraft appears to fight your pitch inputs or behaves strangely around autopilot use.
Why does the assistance preset change to Custom?
The preset changes to Custom as soon as you alter one individual assistance option. That does not mean assistance has been disabled; it means your settings no longer match the original preset exactly.
A mistake we see often is repeatedly selecting All Assists after Custom appears. Doing that restores every preset value and undoes the personal changes you just made. Leave it on Custom once the individual aids are configured as you want them.
Can assistance settings be changed in Career Mode?
Most assistance settings remain accessible from the pause menu, but a Career activity, lesson or challenge may restrict particular options. If a setting is greyed out or appears to have no effect, test it in Free Flight before assuming it is broken.
Assistance settings alter how the simulator helps you; they do not replace instruction or complete Career certification requirements. Use the simulator's guided Flight Training lessons when you want structured practice with take-offs, circuits and landings.
Why does the aircraft still feel difficult with All Assists?
Beginner assistance cannot correct a poor control configuration, severe weather or an unsuitable first aircraft. Check these areas separately:
- Controller inputs: Look for duplicate pitch, roll, rudder or throttle bindings. Twitchy inputs usually need sensitivity and dead-zone adjustment rather than more assistance. Gamepad users can start with our recommended Xbox controller sensitivities and dead zones.
- Weather: Strong winds and turbulence can overwhelm a lightly loaded aircraft despite piloting aids. The Assistances menu also contains the relevant option explained in our turbulence strength settings guide.
- Aircraft choice: Learn in a stable single-engine trainer rather than a high-performance jet or taildragger. Our beginner-friendly general aviation aircraft recommendations identify suitable starting points.
- Competing automation: Assisted piloting, manual control and the aircraft's autopilot can issue conflicting commands. If the trim moves unexpectedly or the aircraft will not hold your input, disengage the autopilot and test the relevant piloting assist separately.