How do I taxi from the gate to the runway in a flight simulator?

To taxi from the gate to the runway in a flight simulator, obtain the departure runway and taxi clearance, push back if required, release the parking brake, use minimum power, follow the cleared taxiways, and stop before every hold-short line unless ATC explicitly clears you to cross or enter the runway.

This is the standard Aviation & Real-World Flying sequence adapted to Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 (MSFS 2024), MSFS 2020, X-Plane, Prepar3D and FSX. Controller names, menu wording and aircraft systems vary, but the need to obey clearance limits and runway holding markings does not.

Gate-to-runway taxi procedure

The complete sequence is preparation, pushback where needed, aircraft configuration, taxi clearance, controlled movement and a full stop at the assigned runway holding point.

1. Obtain the airport information. Confirm the assigned or expected departure runway, weather and relevant airport information. A runway entered in the flight plan is not necessarily the runway ATC will assign.
2. Review the likely route. Find your gate or stand, the departure runway, connecting taxiways, runway crossings and final holding point on the airport diagram. Brief any hotspot or confusing intersection before moving.
3. Push back if the stand is nose-in. Follow the aircraft checklist and ground instructions, keeping the parking brake set or released as directed by the tug procedure. Our guide to MSFS pushback controls and the tug sequence covers this stage in detail. Do not use reverse thrust to back away unless that aircraft and the operating procedure specifically permit powerback.
4. Start and configure the aircraft. Engine-start order varies: some aircraft start during pushback, while others start before or afterwards. Set the required flaps, trim, lights, anti-ice and flight controls according to the aircraft checklist, then confirm that the tug is disconnected and nosewheel steering is restored.
5. Request taxi clearance. At a controlled airport, contact Ground or the controller responsible for the apron. Copy the runway, taxiway route, hold-short instructions and any runway-crossing clearance.
6. Begin moving carefully. Check the area around the aircraft, release the parking brake and apply only enough power to start rolling. Test the wheel brakes within the first few metres while there is still room to stop.
7. Follow the cleared taxiways. Keep the aircraft centred over the yellow taxiway centreline, reduce speed before turns and cross-check each sign or intersection against the clearance. A moving map, flight-plan line or taxi ribbon is guidance, not permission to use a different route.
8. Stop at the holding point. Keep the entire aircraft behind the solid hold-short lines, complete the before-take-off checks and change to Tower only when instructed.

How do I request taxi to the runway?

At a controlled airport, request taxi clearance from Ground when the aircraft is ready to move; at an uncontrolled aerodrome, there is no controller to issue a taxi clearance.

1. Complete any flight-clearance requirement. An IFR clearance from Clearance Delivery covers the flight after departure. It does not authorise pushback, taxi or runway entry.
2. Contact the correct ground controller. Tune the published Ground frequency or select Ground in the simulator's ATC panel. A large airport may use Apron or Ramp control around the stands before handing the aircraft to Ground.
3. Make the request. With a human or voice-capable controller, a basic call is Ground, [callsign], stand [number], ready to taxi, IFR. Add other information only when required by local procedure.
4. Copy and acknowledge the clearance. A reply such as Taxi to holding point Runway 27 via Alpha, Bravo; hold short Runway 18 means follow A and B, but stop before Runway 18. Read back the runway assignment, every hold-short or crossing restriction, and the route where required.

If any taxiway name or clearance limit is unclear, stop and ask for clarification or progressive taxi instructions. Never guess which runway ATC intended.

At an uncontrolled aerodrome, use the local traffic frequency where applicable, announce your intentions and look for other aircraft. You must still stop and check before entering or crossing a runway; a radio call does not give priority over traffic landing or taking off.

How to request taxi clearance in MSFS 2024

In MSFS 2024, open the ATC or communications interface, select or tune Ground, then choose the available taxi-for-departure request. The exact button and wording vary with the platform, flight rules, assistance settings and airport services.

If the request is missing, check the following:

• Radio power and frequency: make sure the communications radio is powered and tuned to Ground. Assisted radio tuning may do this automatically.
• IFR clearance: if flying an IFR plan, complete the clearance exchange first when the simulator offers one.
• Pushback state: finish pushback and allow the tug to disconnect. Some aircraft or activities do not expose the taxi option while ground equipment is attached.
• AI communications: if the simulator is handling radio calls for you, it may make or acknowledge the request automatically.
• Airport facilities: a small or uncontrolled airport may have no Ground controller. Use the available traffic-frequency options and self-announce instead.

MSFS 2024's taxi guidance can help identify the route, but it does not override an ATC hold-short instruction. Simulator ATC and scenery data can also disagree, so stop before any runway if the route appears unsafe.

How does a plane steer on the ground?

An aircraft normally steers on the ground through nosewheel or tailwheel steering, rudder pedals, a tiller and differential braking; the yoke or control column does not usually steer the wheels directly.

Use small, smooth inputs and let the aircraft begin turning before adding more steering. In a long airliner, the pilot's seat is offset from the centreline and ahead of the nosewheel, so the yellow line should pass beneath the aircraft's centre rather than directly beneath the pilot.

Keyboard steering works, but brief key taps are less precise than an analogue axis. For control assignments and technique, see our axis setup and handling methods for taxi steering and braking.

How fast do planes taxi?

Planes taxi only as fast as conditions allow them to stop safely, with walking pace around a gate and roughly 10–20 knots on an open straight taxiway serving as practical simulator targets.

These figures are conservative handling cues, not universal speed limits. The aircraft manual, operator procedure, airport restriction and controller instruction take priority. Use groundspeed rather than indicated airspeed, which is unreliable at taxi speed.

Reduce thrust before applying the brakes and slow before beginning a turn. Riding the brakes while holding substantial power creates unnecessary brake heat and can make steering jerky. Some airliners accelerate at idle thrust, so use intermittent, measured braking rather than holding both brakes continuously.

How do I follow the taxi route without missing a runway?

Follow the clearance one taxiway at a time, cross-checking the airport diagram, painted centreline and signs before every intersection.

• Location sign: a black sign with yellow lettering identifies the taxiway or runway position you occupy.
• Direction sign: a yellow sign with black lettering and an arrow points towards another taxiway or destination.
• Mandatory sign: a red sign with white lettering marks a runway boundary, runway approach area or another point that requires specific authorisation.
• Runway holding marking: two solid and two dashed yellow lines mark the holding position. Approaching from the taxiway side, stop before the solid lines.

The mistake we see constantly is following a ribbon or moving-map line while ignoring the cleared taxiway names. Use the visual aid to support the clearance, not replace it. Our explanation of airport diagrams, signs, centre lines and simulator taxi guidance helps when the route is difficult to identify.

If the diagram and scenery disagree, the simulated airport and navigation data may represent different layouts. Stop somewhere clear of a runway, compare the visible signs with the clearance and choose no route that requires crossing an unidentified runway boundary.

What do I do at the runway holding point?

Stop with every part of the aircraft behind the solid hold-short lines, finish the before-take-off checks and contact Tower when Ground instructs you to do so.

Do not let a wingtip or tail extend across the marking. A clearance to taxi towards the departure runway does not by itself authorise entry onto that runway, and each crossing of another runway requires explicit clearance at a controlled airport.

Line up and wait authorises the aircraft to enter and align with the runway, but it does not authorise the take-off roll. Only a take-off clearance provides that authority. At an uncontrolled aerodrome there is no such clearance, so check the circuit, final approach and runway, make the appropriate call and follow local procedures before entering.

How do I taxi to the gate after landing?

After landing, vacate the runway completely, remain with Tower until handed over, then obtain a Ground route and stand assignment before beginning the taxi-to-gate sequence.

Do not stop while the tail remains across the runway holding marking. Once clear, follow the assigned taxiways to the stand, reduce to walking pace and use the lead-in line, marshaller or docking guidance where provided. Our arrival-to-stand procedure explains gate selection, parking guidance and shutdown positioning.

Common taxi problems and fixes

• The aircraft will not move: check the parking brake, wheel chocks, tug state and brake-axis calibration. An inverted brake axis can apply full braking while the physical pedals appear released.
• The aircraft pulls to one side: recalibrate separate toe-brake axes and check for a stuck brake input. Wind can also turn a light aircraft or taildragger into wind.
• The nosewheel will not steer after pushback: wait for complete tug disconnection, restore hydraulic power where required and check whether the add-on models a steering-bypass pin.
• The aircraft keeps accelerating: close the throttle earlier and use measured brake applications. Do not wait until the turn to shed all the speed.
• You miss a taxiway: continue only if the clearance and layout allow it. Otherwise stop clear of the runway and request a revised route rather than turning across grass or making an unapproved runway crossing.
• ATC gives an unsafe or conflicting route: simulator ATC is fallible. Hold position before the conflict and wait, request another instruction or use the safest available route only when operating without controlled ATC.