Start in mid-air in Microsoft Flight Simulator with a custom map departure, set the right altitude, and fix runway or terrain spawn errors.
To start a flight in mid-air in Microsoft Flight Simulator, open Free Flight or the World Map, select a point away from an airport, and make that custom map position your departure. Choose an aircraft and optional destination, check the planned altitude, then load the flight; the aircraft should spawn airborne with its engine running.
Start a mid-air flight from the World Map
Both Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 and 2024 let a map coordinate act as an airborne departure, although their planner layouts differ.
- Open the flight planner: enter World Map in MSFS 2020 or Free Flight in MSFS 2024.
- Select the aircraft: set its fuel and payload before loading, especially if you intend to practise an approach.
- Choose an empty map position: zoom in, select a location away from airport, runway and navigation-aid icons, then choose Set as Departure or the equivalent departure command.
- Add a destination if needed: select the airport you intend to approach and set it as the arrival. A destination is optional for an unrestricted airborne start.
- Check the route: review the planned altitude and route type where those controls are available. Our guide to setting departures and routes on the World Map explains the planner in more detail.
- Set the conditions: choose the time, weather and traffic before loading. For repeatable practice, use a preset rather than changing live conditions; see our explanation of weather, time and preset controls.
- Load the flight: confirm that the departure field contains the custom coordinate rather than an airport or runway, then select Fly.
The most common mistake is selecting a nearby airport icon instead of the blank map position. If the simulator starts on a runway, clear the departure, zoom further in and create the custom departure again.
How do I set an exact starting altitude and heading?
Use the planner's cruise altitude for a rough planned height, but use Slew Mode when exact airborne placement matters.
Planner altitudes are normally expressed above mean sea level, not above the ground. A planned 4,000 ft departure may therefore be unsafe over terrain already 3,500 ft high. The simulator can also adjust the initial height or attitude according to the route, aircraft and terrain, so a custom map departure is not a precision positioning tool.
| Method | Best used for | Main limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Custom map departure | Quick sightseeing, testing and general airborne starts | Exact altitude and heading may be approximate |
| Slew Mode | Precise position, height and runway alignment | Moves the aircraft without simulating the flight between positions |
| Flight-phase jump | Skipping to cruise, descent or approach on an existing route | Available only where the simulator offers a Travel To or equivalent function; some add-on aircraft may not initialise correctly |
For precise placement, load a stable flight and then reposition it:
- Find the slew controls: search the control settings for
Slew Modeand the slew movement commands. On the standard MSFS 2020 keyboard profile,Ytoggles slew, but MSFS 2024 and customised profiles may differ. Gamepad users may need to assign the commands. - Enter Slew Mode: move the aircraft to the required location and height, then set a level attitude and the desired heading.
- Prepare the aircraft: check throttle, trim, landing gear and flap configuration before leaving slew.
- Exit and stabilise: allow room to recover if the aircraft resumes with low airspeed or unsuitable trim.
How do I start in the air for landing practice?
Place the custom departure on the runway's extended centreline, normally 10–15 nautical miles from the threshold for a straight-in instrument approach.
For a three-degree descent path, allow roughly 300 ft of height above runway elevation for each nautical mile remaining. At 10 NM that means about 3,000 ft above the runway—not necessarily 3,000 ft on the altimeter if the airport is above sea level.
Select the airport and intended runway or approach as the arrival where the planner permits it. Loading airborne does not guarantee that the aircraft will be aligned, that the correct radio frequency will be tuned, or that an approach mode will already be armed. Use Slew Mode to correct the heading if the map spawn points the aircraft elsewhere.
Why does the flight start on the ground or at the wrong height?
An incorrect departure selection or confusion between MSL and AGL altitude causes most failed mid-air starts.
- It starts on a runway: the airport or runway remains selected as the departure. Remove it and set a blank map coordinate instead.
- It appears over the wrong location: the planner selected a nearby airport, waypoint or navigation aid. Zoom in and verify the departure name or coordinates before loading.
- It starts dangerously close to terrain: choose a higher planned altitude or a point with more terrain clearance. Remember that the displayed altitude is generally MSL.
- The aircraft stalls immediately: apply suitable power, level the wings and check trim and configuration. If an add-on aircraft handles airborne initialisation poorly, start from a runway, establish stable flight and reposition with slew.
- The custom point disappears: clear the route and set the custom departure first, then add the destination and approach. Recheck the departure after changing aircraft or flight settings.
Can I use a mid-air start with ATC or VATSIM?
Built-in ATC can operate after an airborne start, but it may skip the expected clearance, taxi and departure sequence.
If you need a complete IFR procedure, begin at a gate or runway instead. Our guide to using flight plans, frequencies and built-in ATC covers that workflow.
Do not spawn, teleport or enter Slew Mode while connected to VATSIM. Disconnect first, reposition the aircraft, establish a plausible altitude and stable flight, then reconnect away from other traffic. Follow our VATSIM connection and flight setup guidance before using an airborne start online.