Learn how to fly the iniBuilds A350 in MSFS 2020, from cold start and FMS setup to Airbus thrust modes, ILS approach, landing and common fixes.
To fly the iniBuilds A350 in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020, power and initialise the aircraft, load a valid route and performance data into its FMS, complete the take-off configuration, then manage each phase through the Airbus flight-mode annunciator. The crucial habits are clearing route discontinuities, using the thrust detents correctly and verifying every armed mode.
Does the iniBuilds A350 work in MSFS 2020?
Yes, provided you install the package intended for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 and keep it updated through its supported installer or content system. Copying an MSFS 2024 installation into the MSFS 2020 Community folder is not a reliable substitute.
If the aircraft is missing from the selection screen or you are unsure which edition you need, check which A350 package to install in MSFS 2020 before troubleshooting cockpit procedures. Although the broad operating flow matches the MSFS 2024 aircraft, individual options and EFB labels can differ between builds.
First-flight setup
Learn the A350 in clear weather at a familiar airport with a long runway and a straightforward ILS approach. A runway start is suitable for practising handling, but it does not guarantee that the route, weights and take-off performance have been completed correctly. Use a gate start when learning the full systems flow.
- Disable AI piloting and assistance options that operate aircraft controls.
- Calibrate the throttle so the physical levers register the IDLE, CL, FLX/MCT and TOGA detents correctly.
- Remove duplicate throttle, rudder, brake and spoiler assignments from unused controllers.
- Use normal simulation speed while learning; time acceleration can upset managed flight and system timing.
- Load fuel and payload through the aircraft's EFB, then avoid changing either after calculating performance.
A complete A350 flight in MSFS 2020
- Power and align the aircraft. Set the parking brake, switch on the batteries and connect external power or start the APU. Set the inertial references to NAV and allow alignment to finish. For the detailed electrical, bleed-air and engine sequence, follow our aircraft-specific A350 cold-and-dark procedure.
- Load the aircraft. Enter the planned passengers, cargo and fuel in the EFB. Confirm the resulting gross weight and centre of gravity before using those figures in the FMS.
- Programme the FMS. Enter or import the origin, destination, route, cruise level, departure runway and arrival. Check every leg on the flight-plan display. Remove an accidental discontinuity, but retain a deliberate vector leg when the procedure expects ATC to provide headings. Our airliner FMS route-entry guide explains the underlying route and performance pages.
- Calculate take-off performance. Supply the runway, weather, aircraft weight and chosen flap configuration to the available performance tool. Enter the resulting V1, VR, V2, trim and thrust data. Use TOGA rather than inventing a reduced-thrust or flex setting when valid performance data are unavailable.
- Configure for departure. Set the cleared altitude, confirm the flight directors and autothrust, select take-off flaps, arm the spoilers and complete the take-off configuration check. Verify that the correct runway and first route leg are active.
- Take off. Advance the thrust levers to FLX/MCT when valid flex data have been entered, or TOGA for full rated thrust. Keep the aircraft on the centreline, rotate smoothly at VR and select gear up after establishing a positive climb. Follow the flight director rather than chasing the magenta route line.
- Establish managed climb. At the acceleration altitude, retract the flaps according to the PFD speed marks. Move the thrust levers to the CL detent when
LVR CLBappears. Engage the autopilot if wanted, set the cleared altitude and use managed climb unless ATC requires a selected speed, heading or vertical mode. - Monitor cruise and descent. Check fuel, route progress and destination weather. Before top of descent, insert the arrival and approach, then enter QNH, temperature, wind and minima on the approach performance page. Set a lower cleared altitude and command managed descent near the calculated descent point.
- Fly the approach. Reduce speed early enough to extend flaps without exceeding their limits. Select gear down, landing flaps, armed spoilers and the required autobrake setting. On an ILS, display the landing system and arm APPR only when positioned to intercept correctly.
- Land and shut down. Disconnect the autopilot when comfortable, maintain the approach path and make a small flare. Move the thrust levers to idle at the RETARD call, deploy reverse after touchdown and brake as required. At the stand, set the parking brake or chocks, establish external or APU power, shut down the engines, then switch off pumps, lights, inertial systems and batteries in sequence.
Why will the A350 not follow the flight plan?
The autopilot follows the active modes shown on the flight-mode annunciator, not the modes you intended to select. Green modes are active; blue modes are armed and still waiting for their capture conditions.
| Symptom | Likely cause | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Aircraft continues on a heading | Selected heading is active, or there is no valid active leg | Check for a discontinuity, activate the correct leg and command managed NAV using the cockpit control's push action. |
| Aircraft stops climbing | The altitude window, a route constraint or altitude capture is limiting the climb | Set the cleared altitude and inspect the FMA and next waypoint constraint before changing vertical modes. |
| Autothrust commands unexpected power | The throttle is outside the CL detent or its axis is miscalibrated | Recalibrate the detents and remove duplicate throttle bindings. |
| Route contains loops or sharp turns | The plan was loaded twice or contains incompatible legs | Use one route source, inspect each waypoint and rebuild the affected section manually. |
| Engines do not start | Electrical power, fuel, bleed air or the start controls are incomplete | Confirm APU availability, bleed configuration, fuel pumps, engine start mode and engine master selection. |
How do I capture the ILS and land the A350?
Intercept the localiser from a sensible angle and the glideslope from below, then arm APPR and confirm LOC* followed by LOC, and G/S* followed by G/S on the FMA. Arming APPR does not rescue an aircraft that is above the glideslope or tuned to the wrong approach.
If neither beam captures, verify the selected runway, approach procedure, ILS frequency, course and active FMS leg. Our A350 ILS capture checks cover incorrect tuning, late arming, bad intercept geometry and other common causes.