GSX Pro explained: cost, PC support for MSFS 2020 and 2024, installation, profiles, first use and fixes for missing menus or misplaced vehicles.
GSX Pro is a paid, PC-only ground-services add-on for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 and 2024. It adds interactive boarding, baggage, catering, refuelling, marshalling and pushback. Install and activate it through the FSDT Universal Installer, confirm the Couatl process and Community-package link, then test it with the correct aircraft and airport profile.
What does GSX Pro add to Microsoft Flight Simulator?
GSX Pro manages the turnaround around your aircraft instead of simply placing static service vehicles at the gate.
- Passenger boarding and deboarding, with visible passengers where the aircraft and boarding route support them
- Baggage, cargo, catering and refuelling vehicles
- Marshaller, follow-me and parking guidance
- Pushback tugs, route selection and ground-crew communication
- Aircraft door, cargo hold and service-point configuration
- Airport stand positions, stopping points and custom pushback routes
- Optional replacement jetways at compatible airports
GSX Pro does not supply airport scenery, ATC or a new flight model. It works with the scenery and aircraft already installed, so the quality of the result depends on their parking data, door positions and available integration.
Simmers often shorten the name to GSX or GSXPro. In an MSFS 2020 or MSFS 2024 discussion, that normally means GSX Pro; installation advice for older GSX products made for FSX or Prepar3D does not apply.
Is GSX Pro free?
No, GSX Pro is not free. It is a commercial add-on that requires a valid licence and activation. The installer may be downloadable without charge, but installing it does not unlock the product.
Aircraft and airport profiles are only configuration files. A free profile can correct doors, vehicle positions or pushback routes, but it does not include GSX Pro or provide a licence for it.
Does GSX Pro work with MSFS 2020 and MSFS 2024?
GSX Pro supports Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 and Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 on Windows PC, but it cannot run on any console edition.
| Simulator and platform | GSX Pro support |
|---|---|
| MSFS 2020 on PC | Yes |
| MSFS 2024 on PC | Yes |
| MSFS 2020 on Xbox Series X|S | No |
| MSFS 2024 on Xbox Series X|S | No |
| MSFS 2024 on PlayStation 5 or PS5 Pro | No |
The restriction exists because GSX relies on the external Couatl process and a package linked to the simulator’s Community folder. Consoles do not allow that installation model. For the newer simulator, follow our MSFS 2024 compatibility and installer-target checks.
If both PC simulators are installed, treat them as separate targets. They can use different Community folders, and a profile made for an MSFS 2020 airport may not align with the MSFS 2024 version of that airport.
How do you install and set up GSX Pro in MSFS?
Install GSX Pro through the FSDT Universal Installer while Microsoft Flight Simulator is closed, then confirm that both its simulator package and Couatl runtime are working.
- Confirm the platform and licence. Use a Windows PC installation of MSFS 2020 or MSFS 2024 and make sure the GSX Pro licence is available for activation.
- Close the simulator. Do not update or relink GSX while MSFS is running. Open the FSDT Universal Installer and complete the product installation and activation; our full GSX Pro installation and activation procedure covers first-launch and licence faults.
- Select the correct simulator target. Choose MSFS 2020 or MSFS 2024 as appropriate. Check this carefully when both are installed rather than assuming that they share one Community folder.
- Apply the available GSX updates. The installer manages the simulator package and the supporting Couatl components. Avoid moving individual GSX folders or creating a second manual copy.
- Verify the Community-package link. The GSX package must resolve to the Community folder actually used by the selected simulator. It should appear once, not as a duplicate copy or inside an extra nested folder.
- Launch MSFS and load a flight. Allow Couatl to run if Windows security software requests permission. Wait until the flight has loaded fully, then look for GSX in the in-game toolbar.
- Run a clean first test. Use a normal parking gate, a supported aircraft and an airport without a downloaded custom profile. Set the parking brake and request one service at a time. This separates a basic installation fault from a bad profile or scenery conflict.
The setup mistake we see most often is changing profiles, jetways and pushback routes before confirming that an unmodified gate works. Establish that baseline first.
Which GSX profiles and settings should you change?
Change a GSX profile only when the existing configuration does not match the aircraft model or airport scenery visible in your simulator.
| Configuration | Keep the existing setup when | Change it when |
|---|---|---|
| Aircraft profile | Stairs, loaders and service vehicles meet the correct doors and holds | GSX identifies the wrong door or vehicles stop against empty space |
| Airport profile | Stand centres, marshallers and pushback routes match the installed scenery | The stopping position or route is visibly displaced |
| Jetway replacement | The airport uses compatible stock jetways | A third-party airport supplies custom jetways that should be excluded from replacement |
| Pushback route | The tug follows the correct apron line and exit direction | It turns towards an obstacle, closed taxiway or unsuitable apron exit |
A matching ICAO code is not enough. Profiles must match the exact scenery edition and aircraft variant because different models can place gates, doors and cargo holds at different coordinates. Our profile installation and matching guide explains where aircraft and airport configurations belong.
Temporarily remove an old custom profile before editing anything. A custom file can continue overriding improved built-in GSX data after an update, making the newer configuration appear broken.
How do you use GSX Pro after setup?
Normal use starts at a recognised parking stand and proceeds through the turnaround services before finishing with GSX pushback.
- Secure the aircraft with the parking brake or chocks and shut down the engines when the requested service requires it.
- Request deboarding or ground services from the GSX toolbar menu. Call services in a sensible order rather than summoning every vehicle at once.
- Operate doors when prompted. GSX can control some aircraft automatically; others require doors to be opened through the cockpit or aircraft EFB.
- Check fuel and payload integration. Some complex aircraft use their own EFB to write the actual load while GSX provides the vehicles and timing. Do not let two systems apply conflicting fuel or payload values.
- Complete loading and request pushback. Close the doors, clear service vehicles and choose the appropriate GSX route. Do not start the default MSFS pushback at the same time.
For the full service sequence, see our practical guide to boarding, fuelling, catering and pushback with GSX Pro.
Avoid calling the default MSFS baggage loaders, fuel trucks or tug alongside GSX. Competing handlers can overlap, block access to a door or leave one service waiting indefinitely.
Why is GSX Pro not working?
Most GSX Pro failures are caused by the wrong Community-folder link, Couatl being blocked, incompatible custom profiles or duplicate airport scenery.
Why is the GSX toolbar icon missing?
A missing toolbar icon usually means the simulator package has not loaded. Update GSX through its installer, confirm that the package link points to the active simulator’s Community folder and remove any duplicate or nested copy.
Multiple Community folders are common after MSFS has been moved or reinstalled. Check the folder used by the simulator itself rather than relying on an old shortcut.
Why does the menu appear but GSX services do not run?
If the toolbar entry exists but the menu or services fail, check the external Couatl process. Run the GSX updater, inspect security-software quarantine records and allow the genuine installed process if it has been blocked.
The toolbar package and Couatl perform different parts of the job. Seeing the icon therefore does not prove that the external runtime is operating correctly.
Why are GSX services unavailable or stuck?
The aircraft must be at a recognised parking position and satisfy the requested state. Check the parking brake, engines, doors and chocks, then cancel or reset the failed service before requesting it again.
If the aircraft’s EFB is also managing boarding, fuel or payload, use the integration method intended for that aircraft. Two independent loading processes can leave GSX waiting for a condition that never changes.
Why are vehicles or passengers in the wrong place?
Misplaced vehicles normally indicate an aircraft-profile or airport-profile mismatch. Disable the custom profile, test the built-in data and confirm that only one version of the airport scenery is active.
Visible passenger behaviour also depends on the boarding route and aircraft support. A jetway can conceal much of the walking route, while passengers visible inside the cabin require compatible aircraft configuration; their absence alone does not prove the installation has failed.
Why are there duplicate jetways or incorrect pushback routes?
Exclude airports with their own custom jetways from GSX jetway replacement. For bad pushback routing, confirm that the profile matches the installed scenery before editing the route; an old profile can refer to parking and taxiway geometry that no longer exists.
Who benefits most from GSX Pro?
GSX Pro offers the most value to PC airliner pilots who treat boarding, loading, turnaround and pushback as part of the flight. It adds less to bush flying, general aviation, runway starts or anyone who only needs a basic pushback tug.
Choose it for coordinated gate operations and aircraft-specific ground handling, not to improve airport scenery, ATC or the aircraft’s flight model.