Learn how to enable progressive taxi guidance in FSX and Steam Edition, follow the magenta arrows, and fix a missing option or route.
In FSX and FSX: Steam Edition, open the ATC window, contact Ground, request taxi and acknowledge the clearance. Reopen the ATC menu and select Turn on Progressive Taxi. Magenta arrows then appear on the pavement, showing the cleared route to your runway, gate or parking position.
How do I turn on Progressive Taxi in FSX?
Progressive Taxi becomes available through FSX's ATC system after Ground has issued a taxi clearance.
- Prepare the aircraft: Complete any pushback and stop where you can enter the taxiway safely. Our FSX jetway and pushback procedure explains the ground-operation sequence at a gate.
- Open the ATC window: Press
`on the standard keyboard layout, or use the control assigned to the ATC window. - Contact Ground: Select the airport and its Ground frequency from the ATC menu. At airports without a separate Ground frequency, use the service offered by the menu.
- Request taxi: Ask to taxi for departure, or request taxi to parking after landing.
- Acknowledge the clearance: Select the readback response so FSX registers the assigned route.
- Enable the arrows: Reopen the ATC window and choose Turn on Progressive Taxi.
- Follow the cleared route: Taxi along the magenta arrows, but stop at the assigned hold-short point and obey subsequent ATC instructions.
The command is contextual rather than a permanent assistance switch in the main settings. To remove the arrows, reopen ATC and select Turn off Progressive Taxi.
Why is the Progressive Taxi option missing?
A missing Progressive Taxi command usually means FSX has not generated an active ground route.
- No taxi clearance: Contact Ground and request taxi before looking for the command.
- Clearance not acknowledged: Complete the ATC readback first, then reopen the window.
- Wrong frequency or airport: Make sure the ATC menu is using the airport where the aircraft is actually positioned.
- Uncontrolled or incomplete airport: Some small airfields lack the ATC or connected taxiway data needed to calculate a progressive route.
- Aircraft repositioned: Slewing, moving to another stand or loading a different airport can invalidate the route. Obtain a fresh taxi clearance.
If Ground cannot be contacted, frequencies are unavailable or the ATC window itself is malfunctioning, work through our FSX ATC troubleshooting checks before changing scenery or aircraft settings.
Why are there no magenta arrows after enabling it?
If the ATC menu now says Turn off Progressive Taxi, FSX considers the route active even when nothing is visible. Check an external view, confirm that the aircraft is at the cleared airport and avoid slewing after the clearance was issued.
Incomplete taxiway links in default or add-on airport scenery can also prevent FSX from drawing a usable route. Our dedicated diagnosis for missing taxi guidance arrows covers the display and airport-data causes in more detail.
Does Progressive Taxi steer the aircraft?
No. Progressive Taxi only draws the route; it does not control the rudder, nosewheel, brakes or throttle.
Keep the speed low enough to make each turn and do not chase every arrow with abrupt steering inputs. If the aircraft will not follow the route despite correct control inputs, set up FSX nosewheel and rudder steering separately.
Can I use Progressive Taxi after landing?
Yes. Vacate the runway completely, contact Ground, request taxi to a gate or parking stand, acknowledge the route and select Turn on Progressive Taxi again.
The arrows represent FSX's calculated route through the airport taxiway network. They are guidance rather than authority: the spoken clearance, hold-short instruction and active-runway restrictions still take priority.