Learn how to use ground services in FlightGear, including chocks, GPU, fuelling and pushback, with fixes for missing menus and unresponsive vehicles.
To use ground services in FlightGear, park at a gate or stand, set the parking brake, shut down as required, then open the aircraft’s Ground Services or aircraft-specific menu. Select the available functions—such as chocks, ground power, doors, fuelling or pushback. The exact controls depend on the aircraft and scenery.
FlightGear does not provide identical ground handling for every aircraft. A detailed add-on may have a custom service panel, while a simpler model may expose only generic fuel and payload controls. Animated vehicles can also depend on the airport’s scenery and ground-network data.
How to use FlightGear ground services step by step
The reliable service sequence is park, secure, connect, load, disconnect and push back.
- Start at a parking position. Choose a ramp, stand or gate in the launcher or location controls rather than spawning on the runway. Leave enough clearance around the aircraft for vehicles and a tug.
- Secure the aircraft. Stop completely, set the parking brake, bring the throttles to idle and fit chocks if the aircraft provides them. Fuelling and loading may require the engines to be shut down.
- Find the service panel. Check menus bearing the aircraft’s name, followed by the Equipment menu. Some sophisticated aircraft put these controls on a cockpit tablet or dedicated panel. There is no universal ground-services keyboard shortcut.
- Connect ground equipment. Apply chocks first, then request a ground power unit, air supply or other equipment offered by the aircraft. A visible GPU does not automatically power the cockpit; select external power in the aircraft’s electrical system when its availability indication appears.
- Load fuel, passengers and cargo. Use the aircraft’s loading panel where one exists. Otherwise, use FlightGear’s generic fuel-and-payload controls. Check the resulting mass and centre of gravity because a baggage or fuel-truck animation does not always alter the aircraft’s actual load.
- Prepare for departure. Close doors, retract stairs or the airbridge, finish fuelling and disconnect external power. Remove the chocks only when the aircraft is ready to move.
- Request pushback. Connect the tug with the parking brake set, then release the brake when the panel or tug prompts you. Select direction or target heading if the aircraft provides that option; do not use engine thrust to help the tug.
- Finish the pushback. Set the parking brake when instructed, disconnect the tug and restore nosewheel steering if the aircraft models a steering bypass or disconnect pin.
Which ground services should I expect?
Available services are determined mainly by the aircraft package, with scenery controlling many of the visible vehicles and airport objects.
| Service | What it does | Common limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Chocks | Prevent the aircraft rolling while parked | Must be removed before pushback or taxi |
| Ground power | Supplies electricity without draining the battery | The cockpit’s EXT PWR switch must usually be selected separately |
| Fuel and payload | Changes fuel, passenger or cargo load | The visual vehicle and the actual mass calculation may be separate systems |
| Doors, stairs and catering | Controls access doors and service animations | Only functions implemented by the selected aircraft will appear |
| Pushback | Moves the aircraft away from a gate or confined stand | Brake and chock sequencing varies between aircraft |
| Airbridge or jetway | Connects the terminal to a compatible door | Many scenery airbridges are static or lack aircraft integration |
Why is the Ground Services menu missing?
A missing menu usually means the selected aircraft does not implement a service panel; it does not normally indicate a broken FlightGear installation.
- Try another detailed aircraft. If that aircraft displays service controls, the first aircraft simply lacks the feature.
- Check aircraft-specific controls. The panel may be under the aircraft’s own menu or inside its cockpit rather than under a generic FlightGear menu.
- Use a proper parking start. Some scripted services activate only when the aircraft is on the ground, stationary and near a suitable stand.
- Check package compatibility. An aircraft package intended for a different FlightGear generation may load while leaving custom panels or scripted buttons inoperative.
If the service panel appears but no vehicle arrives, the aircraft is probably supported and the issue is more likely the airport, parking position or scenery configuration.
Why does pushback or ground power not work?
Most ground-service failures come from aircraft state or service order rather than a missing control binding.
Pushback does not move the aircraft
A connected tug usually waits for the parking brake to be released, while the initial request may require the brake to be set. Remove chocks, disconnect stairs or the airbridge, keep the throttles at idle and follow the panel’s prompts in order.
Pushback steering conventions vary: left may describe the tail’s movement in one aircraft and the nose’s movement in another. Apply a small command first and stop the tug if it turns the wrong way.
Ground power is connected but the cockpit remains dark
A connected GPU normally makes external power available; it does not necessarily close the aircraft’s electrical contactor. Look for an external-power availability light or indication, then select EXT PWR using the aircraft’s normal electrical controls.
The service vehicle never arrives
A missing vehicle does not always mean the underlying service has failed. Check whether fuel quantity, electrical availability or aircraft position actually changed.
Vehicles may be blocked by scenery objects, missing ground routes or a stand that is too confined. Move to an open ramp and try again. Some animated vehicles are also affected by the relevant AI or scenery options, while many basic airports provide no interactive vehicles at all.
Do ground services handle ATC clearance?
No—ground servicing and ATC are separate systems in FlightGear. A tug or service panel does not grant pushback or taxi clearance, so use the appropriate radio procedure described in our guide to FlightGear ATC and radio interaction.
After the tug is clear, complete the aircraft’s start, control and taxi checks before moving. Our practical FlightGear take-off procedure covers the next stage from taxi preparation through the initial climb.