Learn how to get started with Microsoft Flight Simulator: set up controls, use training, plan your first flight and fix common beginner mistakes.
To get started with Microsoft Flight Simulator, install and update the sim, connect or map a controller, complete the basic training lessons, then fly a forgiving single-engine aircraft in clear daylight with assists enabled. Practise straight-and-level flight, gentle turns, take-off, a traffic circuit and landing before adding live weather or complex aircraft.
Which Microsoft Flight Simulator should a beginner use?
Use the edition you already own unless you need a feature, platform or add-on available only in another version.
| Version | Platforms | When to choose it |
|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 | PC, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5 and PS5 Pro | Choose it when starting afresh on supported hardware or when you want the newer simulator and its activities. |
| Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 | PC and Xbox Series X|S | Keep using it if you already have a working installation, preferred aircraft or compatible add-ons. |
Do not assume that every aircraft, peripheral or 2020 add-on works identically in 2024. Check compatibility with your exact simulator version and platform before buying anything.
First-time Microsoft Flight Simulator setup
- Install the simulator and all updates. The storefront download may be only part of the installation because additional packages can be downloaded or streamed by the simulator. PC users can follow our MSFS 2024 first-time setup checklist; the older release has a separate two-stage MSFS 2020 installation process.
- Enable the online data you need. World imagery, live traffic and some weather or scenery functions rely on an internet connection. If the ground appears unusually plain or blurry, check online functionality, data limits and cache settings before changing graphics options.
- Connect your controller before launching a flight. Select or create a profile for the correct device. Search the control assignments by input and remove duplicate pitch, roll, rudder or throttle bindings.
- Map the essential controls. You need pitch, roll, rudder, throttle, wheel brakes, parking brake, flaps, elevator trim and a reliable cockpit-view reset. Leave rarely used systems until you need them.
- Complete the basic Flight Training lessons. Concentrate on attitude, power, trim and airspeed rather than earning perfect scores. Repeating one lesson is more useful than rushing into an airliner.
- Set sensible assistance options. Auto-rudder is useful without pedals, while assisted checklists and on-screen taxi guidance can reduce workload. Disable AI piloting if it fights your inputs, and consider leaving crash or aircraft-stress damage off while learning.
Do I need a joystick to start flying?
No; a gamepad is adequate for learning Microsoft Flight Simulator, although a joystick or yoke provides finer control.
Use small, progressive stick movements and avoid holding full deflection. Keyboard buttons are suitable for switches, views and secondary functions, but they produce abrupt primary flight-control inputs and make smooth landings much harder. Rudder pedals are optional because a twist-grip joystick, gamepad triggers or auto-rudder can cover basic directional control.
What should my first flight be?
Your first free flight should be a short circuit in a basic trainer from a long runway, using the Clear Skies preset in daylight.
- Choose a stable piston trainer such as the Cessna 152, if it is installed in your edition.
- Start on the runway rather than at a parking stand; cold starts and taxi procedures can wait.
- Use the same airport for departure and arrival so navigation does not distract from aircraft control.
- Select calm conditions and avoid mountainous terrain, short runways and busy live traffic.
- Follow the aircraft checklist and its indicated airspeeds rather than copying speeds from another aeroplane.
Apply power smoothly, keep straight with rudder, raise the nose gently at the recommended speed and establish a shallow climb. Once level, reduce power and trim until the aircraft holds its attitude without constant pressure. Our structured first-flight plan for MSFS 2024 covers the complete take-off, circuit and landing sequence; the same basic handling principles also apply to MSFS 2020.
Common beginner problems and fixes
| Problem | Likely cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| The aircraft veers during take-off | No rudder correction, crosswind, or a brake or rudder axis is incorrectly assigned | Use calm weather, apply gentle rudder and check bindings by moving each controller input. |
| The nose keeps rising or falling | The aircraft is not trimmed, or power is being changed constantly | Set attitude and power first, then adjust trim in small steps. |
| Controls move by themselves | AI assistance, a second controller or duplicate bindings are active | Disable AI piloting and clear conflicting axis assignments. |
| The aircraft stalls before landing | Airspeed is too low or the flare starts too high | Stabilise the approach earlier and use the checklist speed for that aircraft and flap setting. |
| The cockpit is difficult to control | A panel, cursor mode or free-look function has captured the input | Close the panel, leave free look and use the mapped cockpit-view reset. |
A mistake we see constantly is trying to steer the aircraft with trim. Trim removes sustained control pressure; it does not replace the elevator. Set the desired attitude with the controls, stabilise the power and airspeed, and only then trim.
When should I turn off assists and use live weather?
Reduce assists one at a time after you can take off, fly a circuit and land consistently in calm conditions.
Start by disabling aids that physically control the aircraft, while keeping checklist help, taxi ribbons or instrument tooltips if they remain useful. Add normal taxiing and engine starts next, followed by ATC, navigation and live traffic. Introduce live weather last because wind, turbulence, poor visibility and changing runway conditions can hide basic handling mistakes.
Before moving to faster or more complex aircraft, practise the core flight skills every new sim pilot needs: straight-and-level flight, coordinated turns, climbs, descents, airspeed control, trim and a stable approach.