Track your aircraft position in Microsoft Flight Simulator with the VFR Map, MSFS 2024 EFB, cockpit GPS or a detailed PC moving map.
To track your aircraft position in Microsoft Flight Simulator, open the built-in moving map: use the VFR Map from the in-flight toolbar in MSFS 2020, or the EFB map in MSFS 2024. Centre the map on the aircraft symbol; it updates as you fly and can display your planned route.
How do I open the live aircraft map?
Open the VFR Map in MSFS 2020 or the EFB’s Map page in MSFS 2024.
- Load your flight. The pre-flight World Map is primarily a planning screen, not the moving map used once you are in the cockpit.
- Open the appropriate map. In MSFS 2020, reveal the in-flight toolbar and select VFR Map;
Vtoggles it on the standard keyboard profile. In MSFS 2024, open the EFB and select its Map page. The EFB may appear as a cockpit tablet or through the in-flight interface, depending on the aircraft. - Re-centre on your aircraft. Select the aircraft or centre control if you have panned elsewhere. Enable follow mode where available so the map moves with the aeroplane.
- Choose a useful zoom level. Zoom in for the circuit or airport surface and out for route progress and nearby airspace.
For the older simulator’s panel controls and shortcut behaviour, see our MSFS 2020 VFR Map walkthrough.
Which aircraft tracking method should I use?
Use the built-in map for a quick position check, cockpit avionics for realistic navigation, or an external PC map when you need more detail.
| Method | Choose it when | Main limitation |
|---|---|---|
| MSFS 2020 VFR Map | You want an immediate moving map without configuring the aircraft’s avionics. | It provides less operational detail than a dedicated flight-planning application. |
| MSFS 2024 EFB map | You want to see your position and planned route together in the simulator. | A route line appears only when a flight plan has been created or loaded. |
| Cockpit GPS or MFD | You want to navigate as the real aircraft would. | The battery, avionics and display must be powered, and the controls differ between aircraft. |
| External moving map | You need detailed airports, airspace, coordinates or a larger second-screen display. | It requires a working simulator connection and is primarily a PC option. Our guide explains how to set up Little Navmap for real-time aircraft tracking. |
On Xbox, and on PlayStation 5 with Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, the built-in map and cockpit avionics are the practical choices. Desktop SimConnect utilities cannot be installed directly on those consoles.
Why is my aircraft not showing on the map?
The usual cause is that the map has been panned away from the aircraft or its follow mode is disabled.
- No aircraft symbol: select the re-centre control and zoom out. Confirm that you are viewing the in-flight map rather than a static planning screen.
- The V key does nothing: open Controls Options and search for the VFR Map command. Another profile or add-on may have removed or replaced the default binding; the toolbar icon remains an alternative.
- The GPS display is blank: switch on the aircraft’s electrical and avionics systems and check the screen brightness. Some aircraft do not initialise their navigation displays until they have power.
- The position does not change: make sure the simulator is not paused or in Active Pause. The map cannot show movement while the simulated aircraft remains stationary.
- An external map is frozen: confirm that it is connected to the running simulator. For a networked setup, also check the connection address and firewall permissions.
Can I track my aircraft against a flight plan?
Yes, provided the route has been created or imported into the map or avionics system you are using.
The aircraft symbol and route line are separate: your position can update correctly even when no route is displayed. If necessary, build and load the route with Microsoft Flight Simulator’s flight planner before departure.
A mistake we see often is assuming that a route entered into one system automatically appears everywhere. Complex add-on aircraft may use a custom flight-management system, so the EFB, simulator map and cockpit avionics can hold different plans. Import or enter the route into the aircraft’s own system when you intend to fly it through the autopilot or flight director.