How do I install and use GSX Pro in MSFS 2020?
GSX Pro for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 is a PC-only add-on installed and activated through the FSDT Universal Installer, not by copying files manually into the Community folder. After installation, start MSFS, open GSX from the in-game toolbar, select a gate service, and follow its prompts for doors, boarding and pushback.
How do I install and activate GSX Pro?
Install GSX Pro with the FSDT Universal Installer supplied with your purchase, because its external Couatl engine and linked packages require a managed installation.
- Close Microsoft Flight Simulator. Installing while MSFS is running can leave its package index out of date until the next restart.
- Run the FSDT Universal Installer. Allow it to detect your MSFS installation and active Community folder rather than choosing an arbitrary folder manually.
- Select and install GSX Pro. Use the installer’s activation option and supply the licence details associated with your purchase when prompted.
- Install or configure World of Jetways. This companion component replaces stock jetways. It is useful at default airports but should be excluded at custom airports that supply their own models.
- Run the update check. Let the installer repair or update GSX before launching MSFS, especially after moving the Community folder or installing a simulator update.
- Start MSFS and load a gate. The Couatl engine should start in the background, after which GSX appears on the simulator’s top toolbar.
Do not move GSX packages by hand or treat them like an ordinary Community-folder download. For licence prompts, installer detection and activation failures, follow our step-by-step GSX installer and activation checks.
How do I use GSX Pro at an airport gate?
Start from a recognised parking stand, set the parking brake and use the GSX toolbar menu to request each service.
- Park correctly. Spawn at a gate or stop with the aircraft’s reference point close to the stand position defined by the airport scenery. Runway starts and unmarked apron locations may not offer services.
- Open the GSX toolbar menu. Select a ground handler or catering operator if GSX asks for one.
- Request deboarding or ground services. Catering, refuelling and baggage loading can be requested separately. Avoid calling the equivalent default MSFS services as well, or duplicate vehicles may appear.
- Follow the aircraft prompts. Set the parking brake, stop engines and open the requested doors when instructed. GSX can operate doors automatically only on aircraft profiles that support it.
- Set the required load. Some aircraft accept passenger, cargo and fuel values through GSX; complex airliners may expect these to be entered through their own EFB, FMS or loading panel while GSX supplies the vehicles and animation.
- Request boarding. Keep the correct doors open and leave the parking brake set until boarding and baggage loading finish.
- Select pushback. Choose an available route or direction, close the doors and wait for the tug crew’s instruction before releasing the parking brake. Do not start the default MSFS pushback at the same time. Our MSFS pushback procedure and troubleshooting guide covers the cockpit sequence in more detail.
The message shown by GSX is operational, not decorative. If a service stops, check that message before restarting anything; an unopened cargo door, running engine, released parking brake or incomplete aircraft loading process is often the cause.
Do I need to configure every aircraft and airport?
No; use the supplied profiles first and customise only when doors, vehicles, parking positions or pushback routes are visibly wrong.
- Aircraft profile: Open the GSX aircraft customisation tool if stairs meet the wrong door, loaders approach the wrong side or a door is not detected. Profiles can differ between variants of the same aircraft.
- Airport position: Adjust a stand only when the marshaller, stop point or vehicle routes do not match the scenery. A profile made for a different version of the airport can make the alignment worse.
- World of Jetways: Keep replacement jetways enabled at default airports, but exclude custom airports with their own jetways. Duplicate or immobile models usually indicate a scenery conflict; see our guide to diagnosing jetway and gate-position problems.
- Old custom profiles: Reset or remove a user profile if problems begin after an aircraft or airport update. The old profile may override corrected data supplied by the developer.
Why is GSX Pro not working?
Most GSX Pro failures come from an inactive package, a stopped Couatl process, blocked SimConnect communication or scenery data that does not match the selected profile.
| Symptom | Likely cause and fix |
|---|---|
| GSX toolbar icon is missing | Confirm that GSX is installed in the Community location used by this MSFS installation, then run the installer’s update or repair function and restart the simulator. Rerun the installer after changing the MSFS package location. |
Menu remains on Loading | Couatl may not have started, may have been quarantined by security software or may have lost its simulator connection. Repair GSX, restart Couatl and check SimConnect using our MSFS SimConnect repair steps. Do not disable security software globally; allow only the verified GSX components. |
| No services or parking position found | Move to a defined stand and set the parking brake. If the aircraft is already centred, check for duplicate airport scenery or a profile made for another scenery version. |
| Vehicles are underground or badly positioned | The airport’s stand elevation, parking data or GSX profile does not match the loaded scenery. Remove the mismatched profile or customise that parking position. |
| A service starts but will not continue | Read the latest GSX prompt and check doors, engines, brakes and the aircraft’s own loading system. Complex aircraft often require an action through their EFB or FMS before GSX proceeds. |
Does GSX Pro work on Xbox?
GSX Pro does not work on the Xbox version of Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020. It requires the Windows-only Universal Installer, the external Couatl programme and access to add-on packages that Xbox does not provide.