How do I install and use GSX profiles in MSFS?

To install GSX profiles in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 or 2024 on PC, extract the download, copy airport profile files to %APPDATA%\Virtuali\GSX\MSFS and aircraft profile folders to %APPDATA%\Virtuali\Airplanes. Restart Couatl or the simulator. GSX automatically loads a profile when its scenery and aircraft identifiers match.

GSX Pro and Couatl must already be installed and working. Profiles contain configuration data; they do not install GSX, an airport or an aircraft. If the toolbar menu is missing, resolve the GSX Pro installation, activation and Couatl prerequisites first. If problems began after replacing the base add-on, follow our GSX Pro update and repair steps.

Which type of GSX profile have you downloaded?

Airport and aircraft profiles perform different jobs and must go into different folders.

An airport profile must match the installed scenery package and layout, not merely its ICAO code. An aircraft profile must match the exact aircraft variant and the internal identity GSX recognises.

How do I install GSX airport and aircraft profiles?

Install standard loose profiles in the relevant roaming AppData folder, preserving the names and structure supplied by the author.

1. Extract the archive. GSX cannot read a profile from inside a ZIP, RAR or similar archive. Check the included instructions because one download may contain profiles for several airport or aircraft versions.
2. Identify the correct variant. Choose the profile made for your stock or third-party airport, scenery release and simulator version. For aircraft, distinguish between passenger, freighter, stretched and other model variants.
3. Back up existing profiles. Save any files you have customised, then remove obsolete profiles targeting the same airport or aircraft. Competing copies make it difficult to tell which configuration GSX selected.
4. Install an airport profile. Press Windows key + R, enter %APPDATA%\Virtuali\GSX\MSFS and press Enter. Copy the selected .ini and any supplied companion files directly into that folder. Avoid an extra directory such as MSFS\ProfileName\airport.ini unless the instructions require it. If the destination does not exist, run GSX successfully once so it can create its user folders.
5. Install an aircraft profile. Copy the complete folder containing gsx.cfg into %APPDATA%\Virtuali\Airplanes. The finished path should resemble %APPDATA%\Virtuali\Airplanes\AircraftProfileName\gsx.cfg. If only gsx.cfg is supplied, use the exact target folder named by the author rather than guessing from the aircraft's marketing name.
6. Reload GSX. Restart Couatl using its available restart command, or close and reopen Microsoft Flight Simulator. If the airport scenery was installed after GSX last scanned it, run the GSX scenery scan or configuration process again.

Do not put loose .ini or gsx.cfg files in the Community folder. The exception is a download deliberately packaged as a complete MSFS add-on; preserve its supplied structure and follow its instructions rather than pulling the profile files out.

Loose profiles need no activation menu once installed. If you prefer to organise several airport configurations through the utility, our Profile Manager instructions explain importing, matching and disabling conflicting profiles.

How does GSX use an installed profile?

GSX automatically selects matching airport and aircraft profiles when the relevant flight loads.

1. Load the exact aircraft variant covered by the aircraft profile.
2. Start at the airport and scenery package for which the airport profile was created.
3. Park or spawn at a stand included in the profile.
4. Open GSX from the simulator toolbar or your assigned control, then request boarding, catering, refuelling, baggage handling or pushback.

The airport profile tells GSX where vehicles, passengers and the tug should operate. The aircraft profile supplies door and connection-point positions. For the service sequence itself, see our guide to opening GSX and operating its ground services.

A loaded profile does not bypass parking-brake, engine, door or stand requirements. Aircraft with electronic flight bag integration may also need their GSX, boarding, door or fuel-synchronisation options configured.

Profiles cannot add scenery objects or alter an aircraft model. They can adjust GSX behaviour around an existing stand, but cannot create a missing jetway or repair the airport's taxiway network.

How can I tell whether the profile loaded?

The quickest check is to inspect a known customised stand or service point described by the profile author. Open GSX's airport-position customisation screen and check the expected gate, or use the aircraft customisation screen to inspect door and equipment positions.

Default or clearly misplaced values usually mean that GSX loaded another profile or found no match. Check more than one stand: many airport profiles customise selected gates rather than every parking position.

Why is my GSX profile not loading or working?

Wrong folders, mismatched scenery and incorrect aircraft identities account for most profiles that appear to do nothing.

• Compressed or misplaced files: extract the archive and move loose profiles out of Community. An airport .ini belongs directly in the MSFS profile folder; an aircraft gsx.cfg belongs inside its aircraft-specific subfolder.
• Incompatible airport scenery: a profile for the stock airport will not necessarily match a third-party rendition or another release of the same add-on. Marketplace and separately installed editions can expose different package references.
• Updated stand geometry: scenery updates can change parking identifiers, stand coordinates or paths. Obtain a matching profile or correct the affected positions in GSX's editor.
• Wrong aircraft variant: visually similar passenger, freighter or updated models can use different doors and internal identities. Most liveries inherit the base aircraft profile, but a livery packaged as a separate aircraft title may not.
• Duplicate or renamed profiles: restore the supplied names and move stale competing copies outside the GSX folders before restarting Couatl.
• Couatl or the scenery index is stale: restart Couatl and repeat the scenery scan if the airport was installed or changed after GSX indexed it.
• The stand is not covered: some profiles customise only specific gates or provide preset pushback routes at selected stands. Use GSX's available manual pushback option where no preset exists.
• The profile loaded but the service will not start: check the parking brake, engines, doors, stand type and aircraft-specific integration settings. This is an operating-state problem rather than proof of a failed profile.

Can I edit or create a GSX profile?

GSX's customisation tools can save your own airport and aircraft adjustments.

• Use the airport-position editor while parked at the relevant stand to change the stopping point, pushback behaviour and supported services.
• Use the aircraft editor to correct door, cargo, fuel and equipment positions for the loaded model.
• Back up the resulting .ini or gsx.cfg before installing another profile or updating the scenery.

Prefer the visual editors to manually changing coordinates. Recheck customised positions after a scenery update because stands and referenced resources may have moved.

Do GSX profiles work in MSFS 2020 and MSFS 2024?

The same AppData folders and basic installation method apply to supported Windows PC installations of Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 and 2024. Compatibility is not guaranteed between simulator versions, scenery releases or aircraft variants, so use a profile made for the content you have installed.

GSX Pro and its profiles cannot be installed on Xbox or PlayStation versions of Microsoft Flight Simulator. They require Couatl, external Windows software and access to the PC's user folders.