Use GSX Pro with general aviation aircraft in MSFS: learn which services work, how to set up profiles, and fix clipping, doors and pushback.
GSX Pro works with general aviation aircraft in Microsoft Flight Simulator on PC, but use only services that suit the aeroplane: marshalling, follow-me, refuelling, suitable stairs and, where supported, pushback. Load at a recognised parking stand, open GSX, request one service at a time, and correct bad positions with an aircraft or airport profile.
The same principle applies in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 and 2024. GSX Pro relies on the external Couatl program, so it is a PC-only add-on and cannot run on console editions. Our GSX Pro installation and Couatl setup notes cover the initial configuration.
Which GSX services work with GA aircraft?
Marshaller, Follow Me and refuelling are the most consistently useful GSX services for general aviation aircraft.
| Service | When to use it | GA limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Marshaller and Follow Me | At serviced GA stands, FBO aprons and unfamiliar airports | The scenery needs valid parking and routing data; remote grass parking may not be recognised |
| Refuelling | For piston aircraft, turboprops and business jets | The truck may arrive without setting the quantity automatically; some aircraft require their EFB or the simulator fuel controls |
| Pushback or towing | For business jets and larger turboprops parked nose-in | The aircraft profile, tug and stand must be compatible; most light aircraft should taxi out instead |
| Boarding and deboarding | Best suited to commuter turboprops and business aircraft | Small doors and cabins can produce missing passengers or animation clipping |
| Stairs, baggage and catering | Only where the aircraft has suitable service doors or holds | Usually unnecessary for light singles and aircraft with built-in steps |
GSX is built primarily around airline-style ground handling. Calling every available service for a Cessna-sized aircraft usually creates unrealistic vehicles and exposes profile errors that would not matter during normal GA operations.
How do you set up GSX Pro for a GA aircraft?
For GA, a simple service-by-service flow works better than an airline departure sequence.
- Start at a defined parking stand. Select a ramp or GA parking position from the World Map rather than spawning on a runway or at an arbitrary point on the apron.
- Allow GSX and Couatl to initialise. Open GSX from the simulator toolbar. If the menu does not appear at all, treat that as an installation or Couatl problem rather than an aircraft compatibility issue.
- Confirm the detected parking position. A wrong or missing stand can send vehicles to another part of the airport or make services unavailable.
- Prepare the aircraft. Set the parking brake and stop the engine before bringing personnel, fuel trucks or tugs near a propeller. Operate doors through the aircraft controls or EFB when GSX requests them.
- Request only the service needed. Refuel first, then board if the aircraft supports it. Use pushback only when the stand requires it and the aircraft can be handled by the selected tug.
- Follow GSX prompts exactly. Release or set the parking brake only when instructed. During pushback, leave the engine stopped unless the aircraft procedure explicitly permits otherwise.
- Use arrival services separately. After landing, request Follow Me or a marshaller for the assigned stand, shut down, then request deboarding if it works correctly with that aircraft.
For the broader gate and ramp process, see our full GSX departure and arrival workflow for MSFS 2024.
Do GA aircraft need a GSX profile?
You need a custom profile only when GSX misidentifies the aircraft, places vehicles incorrectly or cannot associate its services with the right doors and contact points.
- An aircraft profile describes the aeroplane's dimensions, exits and service positions. It is the first place to look when a fuel truck drives through a wing, passengers approach the wrong side or stairs miss the door.
- An airport profile controls stand-specific details such as stopping positions, marshaller placement, vehicle locations and pushback routes. Use one when every aircraft is misaligned at the same parking stand.
Profiles must match the exact aircraft variant or airport scenery. A profile made for the default airport can be badly misaligned with replacement scenery, while a profile for another model variant may not load at all. Follow our instructions for installing and activating the correct GSX profiles, and avoid keeping multiple airport profiles active for the same scenery.
Why are GSX vehicles clipping the aircraft?
Clipping usually means the aircraft service points are wrong, the airport stand is misconfigured or the requested vehicle is simply unsuitable for that GA aircraft.
- Fuel truck under the wing: correct the aircraft's refuelling position in its GSX configuration or use a suitable existing profile.
- Stairs through the fuselage: disable external stairs when the aircraft has built-in steps, or correct the passenger-door position.
- Marshaller facing the wrong place: check the airport profile and ensure it was created for the installed scenery.
- Pushback tug will not connect: try another compatible tug if offered, verify the aircraft profile and confirm that the stand has a valid pushback route. Taxi out under your own power when that is normal for the aircraft.
- GSX does not recognise an open door: the aircraft may use a custom door system that GSX cannot read. Open it through the aircraft's own controls and check that the profile associates the correct exit.
- Fuel quantity does not change: set the planned quantity through the aircraft EFB or simulator fuel interface. Add-ons with custom fuel systems may reject external fuel changes.
Is GSX Pro useful for light GA flying?
GSX Pro makes most sense for business jets, commuter turboprops and GA operations at serviced airports; it adds much less to a piston single operating from a small grass strip.
For a light aircraft, marshalling and a fuel truck may be all that is useful. If the main aim is visual ramp activity rather than complete ground handling, compare the other methods for adding animated ground staff to MSFS before building detailed GSX profiles for every aircraft and airfield.