How do I set the A32NX to cold and dark or turnaround?
Set the FlyByWire A32NX to cold and dark or turnaround in MSFS 2020, with fixes for runway starts, missing EFB presets and mixed cockpit states.
In Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020, park the FlyByWire A32NX at a gate or stand, let it finish initialising, then open the flyPad EFB’s aircraft-presets page and load Cold and Dark or Turnaround. Avoid a runway spawn, because MSFS normally loads runway departures powered and ready for take-off.
Set the A32NX to cold and dark or turnaround
The A32NX’s own EFB preset is the reliable way to change the aircraft’s system state after loading a flight.
- Start at a parking position. Select a gate, stand or ramp on the World Map. Do not choose the runway or a runway departure point.
- Wait for the A32NX to initialise. Let the cockpit, systems and flyPad finish loading before applying a preset. Selecting it while the add-on is still initialising can leave switches and displays in a mixed state.
- Open the flyPad EFB. If the tablet is present but black, use its power control and allow it to boot. If it is missing entirely, confirm that you loaded the FlyByWire aircraft rather than the stock A320neo; our A32NX aircraft package and feature overview can help identify the correct add-on.
- Find the aircraft presets. Open the EFB page labelled Aircraft Presets, Aircraft State or similar. The page name and its position can move between A32NX builds, but it is the section offering predefined cockpit configurations.
- Select one state once. Choose
Cold and Darkfor a shut-down aircraft orTurnaroundfor an aircraft being prepared between sectors. - Let the preset finish. Avoid operating switches, using keyboard shortcuts or moving bound hardware controls while the sequence runs. Afterwards, check the overhead panel, displays, engines and electrical supply before beginning your checklist.
If your flyPad does not match an older video or screenshot, the feature has not necessarily been removed. Different A32NX builds may rearrange the EFB while retaining the same preset function.
Which A32NX state should you choose?
Choose Cold and Dark for complete startup practice and Turnaround when you want a powered, partly prepared aircraft with both engines shut down.
| State | Expected condition | Choose it when |
|---|---|---|
| Cold and Dark | Engines, batteries and most aircraft systems are off, with no established electrical supply | You want to practise the complete Airbus power-up and startup procedure |
| Turnaround | Engines are off, but the aircraft is normally powered and configured for work between sectors | You want to begin MCDU setup and departure preparation sooner |
Turnaround is not a promise that every airline checklist item, door or ground service is already configured. Exact switch positions can also change as FlyByWire refines the aircraft, so verify the overhead rather than assuming the preset has completed your entire pre-flight procedure.
Why will the A32NX not stay cold and dark?
A runway spawn, simulator automation, saved-flight data or conflicting control inputs usually cause an A32NX preset to be overridden.
| Symptom | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| The aircraft returns to a departure-ready state | The flight started on a runway | Return to the main menu, choose a gate or stand and load the preset again |
| Displays or switches change by themselves | AI assistance, checklist automation or a controller binding is operating them | Disable assistance that manages startup or checklists, then check for duplicate battery, avionics and engine assignments |
| The cockpit is partly on and partly off | The preset was interrupted, selected before initialisation finished or applied over a conflicting saved state | Start a fresh flight and leave the controls untouched until the preset completes |
| The preset page is absent or behaves incorrectly | The stock A320neo is loaded, or the A32NX installation is duplicated or incomplete | Remove conflicting copies from the Community folder and follow our clean A32NX installation procedure for MSFS 2020 |
| Nothing has power after selecting cold and dark | This is the expected result of a true shut-down state | Connect an available ground power unit or start the APU as required by your checklist |
Latching switches on a throttle quadrant or switch panel deserve particular attention. If a physical battery or avionics switch keeps transmitting its position, it can immediately undo the EFB preset; temporarily disconnecting the controller is a quick way to confirm the cause.
How do you reset a mixed A32NX cockpit state?
A fresh parking-position flight is more reliable than trying to repair a badly mixed system state switch by switch.
- Return to the main menu. Do not rely on an in-flight restart after a preset conflict.
- Create a new flight. Select the FlyByWire A32NX and a gate, stand or ramp rather than a runway.
- Avoid a saved flight while troubleshooting. Generic MSFS saves may restore simulator variables without reproducing every internal add-on system correctly.
- Wait, apply and verify. Let the aircraft initialise, select the required EFB preset once and touch nothing until it has finished.
Can the A32NX always start cold and dark?
The A32NX can consistently start cold and dark at a parking position, but the World Map does not provide a FlyByWire-specific state selector.
Some A32NX builds provide a default aircraft-state choice within the flyPad settings. If that option appears in your build, select Cold and Dark or Turnaround there for future parking starts; otherwise, apply the required state from Aircraft Presets after each flight loads. A runway start can still invoke the simulator’s take-off-ready configuration.
The mistake we see most often is treating the spawn point and aircraft preset as the same setting. The World Map establishes whether you begin at parking or on a runway, while the flyPad controls the detailed A32NX configuration.
What should you do after the preset loads?
After loading a preset, establish or verify electrical power before moving on to flight planning and engine start.
- After Cold and Dark: switch on the batteries, then connect external power if a ground power unit is available or start the APU using the normal checklist.
- After Turnaround: confirm the active power source, overhead configuration and display indications before assuming the aircraft is ready for MCDU work.
- For either state: configure fuel, payload, boarding, doors and other ground services separately. An aircraft-state preset does not complete those tasks or programme the flight plan.
For the simulator-side principles behind parking starts, batteries, external power and runway behaviour, see our explanation of how cold-and-dark aircraft starts work in Microsoft Flight Simulator.