Set MSFS 2024 assistance to Expert mode, learn what it disables, and fix Custom presets, lingering AI help, tips or locked mission assists.
Open Settings in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, select Assistances, and choose the least-assisted preset: Expert where that label appears, or True to Life in interface versions using that name. Apply the change. If you alter any individual option afterwards, the preset label changes to Custom without cancelling your choices.
How do I switch MSFS 2024 to Expert assistance?
You can change the preset from the main menu or pause menu, though doing it before loading a flight gives the cleanest result.
- Open Settings: use the main menu, or pause your flight and open Settings.
- Select Assistances: this is separate from Controls and Accessibility.
- Find the assistance preset: choose Expert, True to Life, or the least-assisted realism preset offered by your interface.
- Review the categories: check Piloting, Navigation Aids, Notifications and the other assistance groups. Their names and order can vary slightly between simulator updates and platforms.
- Confirm the change: use the on-screen Apply or Save prompt where one is displayed, then return to the flight.
The process is fundamentally the same on PC, Xbox Series X|S, PS5 and PS5 Pro; only the button prompts and menu layout may differ. Our breakdown of assistance presets and individual categories explains where each group is located.
What does Expert mode actually change?
Expert is an assistance preset, not a separate flight model or aircraft-complexity mode.
- Piloting help: it removes or minimises aids such as AI piloting, assisted controls, assisted take-off, assisted landing and automatic rudder help.
- Visual guidance: route markers, landing guidance, taxi ribbons and similar cues are normally reduced or disabled.
- Notifications: some guidance may be removed, but tips and interface messages can also have their own switches.
- Aircraft systems: cockpit autopilot, autothrottle, FADEC, yaw dampers and aircraft-specific protection systems are not assistance cheats. They remain available until you disengage them normally.
The exact combination can change with the preset and activity, so inspect the individual switches rather than relying solely on the preset name. For a practical starting configuration, see our guidance on moving from assisted flying to manual aircraft control.
Why does the preset say Custom instead of Expert?
Custom means at least one individual assistance setting differs from the selected preset; it does not mean Expert mode failed.
For example, starting with Expert and then enabling only the taxi ribbon produces a Custom configuration containing all the Expert choices plus that ribbon. This is often the best setup for experienced pilots learning an unfamiliar airport.
To restore the complete preset, select Expert or True to Life again. Be aware that doing so overwrites your individual assistance changes.
Why are AI help, tips or other assists still active?
A remaining aid usually comes from a separately controlled option, the current activity, or the aircraft itself.
- The aircraft seems to fly itself: confirm that AI piloting, assisted controls and any co-pilot control option are off. Also check whether the cockpit autopilot or autothrottle is engaged.
- Tips and pop-ups remain: flying tips, objectives and notifications have separate controls. Follow our steps for disabling MSFS 2024 guidance overlays and tooltips.
- An option is unavailable or changes back: some lessons, challenges and mission activities enforce particular assistance rules. Test the preset in a normal free-flight session.
- Changes never remain saved: apply the settings, return to the main menu and restart the simulator. If several unrelated preferences also keep reverting, use our settings reset and recovery procedure.