How do I taxi to a gate or stand in a flight simulator?

After landing in a flight simulator, clear the runway completely, contact Ground and request taxi to parking. Follow the assigned taxiways using airport signs, a chart or visual guidance, taxi slowly, then turn into the allocated gate or stand. Stop at the stand marker and set the parking brake.

The basic sequence is the same in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 and 2024, X-Plane, FSX and Prepar3D, although their ATC menus and taxi aids differ.

What should you do after vacating the runway?

Once the whole aircraft is beyond the runway holding-position markings, contact Ground or follow the hand-off given by Tower.

1. Clear the runway fully. Continue beyond the holding-position line until the tail is clear, then stop somewhere that does not obstruct the runway exit. Do not begin lengthy after-landing checks while part of the aircraft remains on the runway.
2. Bring the aircraft under control. Reduce thrust, retract spoilers and flaps when appropriate, and configure the lights for taxi. Complete these tasks while stopped if looking inside would distract you from steering.
3. Request parking. At a controlled airport, remain with Tower until instructed to contact Ground. Use the simulator's ATC menu to request a gate, general aviation parking or another available parking type.
4. Acknowledge the route. Write down the taxiways, runway crossings and hold-short instructions. A clearance such as Taxi to stand 24 via Alpha, Bravo; hold short runway 27 gives the destination first, followed by the route and its restriction.

At an uncontrolled airport, or with simulator ATC disabled, no clearance is required. Choose a suitable route yourself, remain clear of runway traffic and never cross an active runway without checking that it is safe.

How do you follow the taxi route to parking?

Use the clearance as the route, the airport signs and markings as confirmation, and a chart or simulator overlay when the layout is unfamiliar.

Keep the nosewheel on the centreline and check each taxiway sign against the clearance. Never follow a GPS magenta line as though it were a taxi route, and do not cross a runway merely because visual guidance continues across it.

Microsoft Flight Simulator can display a taxi ribbon when assistance is enabled. Our instructions for requesting and displaying MSFS taxi guidance explain how to use it. The ribbon is helpful at unfamiliar airports, but scenery or airport-data errors can make it disagree with signs; runway clearances still take priority.

How fast should you taxi to a gate?

For most aircraft, keep straight-line taxi speed around 15–20 knots or less, reduce to roughly 5–10 knots for turns and apron areas, and enter the stand at walking pace.

These are practical simulator targets rather than universal aircraft limits. Heavy aircraft carry considerable momentum, while a light aircraft may accelerate quickly even at low power. Use idle or modest thrust, allow the aircraft to roll, then apply smooth braking rather than holding power against the brakes.

• Slow down before a turn rather than braking hard during it.
• Use the rudder or nosewheel-steering axis for small corrections. Some airliners model a separate tiller with greater low-speed authority.
• Use differential braking only when the aircraft supports it and tighter steering is genuinely needed.
• Check wingtip and tail clearance around buildings, light poles, service vehicles and parked aircraft; collision detection is not reliable in every simulator or scenery package.

How do you choose a gate when ATC assigns none?

Choose an empty position that fits the aircraft type, wingspan and intended ground service.

• Airliner gate: use a terminal stand with a jetway when the aircraft and scenery support one.
• Remote stand: suitable for airliners parked away from the terminal, usually with stairs or bus boarding.
• General aviation parking: use a ramp tie-down, small stand or hangar area rather than an airline gate.
• Cargo or military parking: select the corresponding apron when the airport provides one.

Painted stand numbers, simulator ATC records and add-on scenery do not always agree. If the assigned gate is occupied, too small or blocked, stop and request another position where the ATC system permits it; otherwise choose the nearest safe, suitable empty stand.

How do you enter and stop at the stand?

Join the painted lead-in line at very low speed, align the nosewheel with it and stop when the marshaller, docking system or ground marking indicates.

1. Approach squarely. Make the final turn slowly enough to correct the alignment without sharp braking.
2. Follow the stopping guidance. Use the marshaller's signals or visual docking guidance system when one is active. If neither is provided, use the painted stop mark and verify clearance with an external view if necessary.
3. Stop once. Do not roll forward again after a docking display shows STOP merely to improve jetway alignment.
4. Secure the aircraft. Set the parking brake, bring the throttles to idle and complete the aircraft's parking or shutdown checklist. Call the jetway or ground services only after the aircraft is stationary.

Remember that the cockpit is ahead of the nosewheel in many airliners. The lead-in line can appear offset from the pilot's viewpoint even when the undercarriage is correctly positioned.

Why will the aircraft not taxi or steer correctly?

Most taxi problems come from brake inputs, conflicting controller assignments or an unsuitable steering axis rather than a lack of engine power.

FSX users can verify the standard brake, ATC and ground-operation bindings in our FSX keyboard and control reference. If the route or steering becomes uncertain, stop the aircraft first; correcting the problem while rolling is how runway incursions and apron collisions happen.