Learn how to turn off landing assistance in MSFS, stop automatic throttle inputs, and fix autothrottle, AI pilot or controller conflicts.
To stop Microsoft Flight Simulator from applying throttle during landing, open Settings or Options, enter Assistances, expand the piloting assists and switch Assisted Landing off. This control is available in both MSFS 2020 and MSFS 2024. If power still changes, disable AI piloting and check the aircraft’s autothrottle or autothrust system.
How do I disable Assisted Landing in MSFS 2020 and 2024?
Switching off Assisted Landing in the Piloting section removes the simulator-level landing intervention.
- Open the settings: use the main menu or pause the flight. In MSFS 2020, the usual path is
Options > Assistance Options; in MSFS 2024, openSettings > Assistances. - Open the piloting assists: expand the category containing take-off, landing, rudder and other aircraft-control assistance.
- Turn off Assisted Landing: set the individual landing-assistance option to Off.
- Check Assisted Take-off: this is a separate switch. Disable it as well only if you want fully manual control during departure.
- Confirm the change: apply or save the settings if your platform displays a confirmation prompt, then return to the flight.
Menu wording can differ slightly between editions and platforms. Our map of the MSFS 2024 assistance controls explains where the individual piloting switches sit.
A mistake we see often is selecting an assistance preset after changing the individual switch. The preset can overwrite the custom choice and turn Assisted Landing back on, so choose the preset first and make the individual adjustment last.
Why does MSFS still control the throttle?
With Assisted Landing off, continuing automatic power changes usually come from the aircraft’s systems, an AI pilot or a conflicting controller assignment.
| Likely cause | What you will notice | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aircraft autothrottle or autothrust | Power changes smoothly to maintain a selected or managed speed; the cockpit shows an A/T, A/THR or similar indication. | Use the aircraft’s proper autothrottle disconnect procedure and move the physical levers to a matching thrust position before taking manual control. |
| AI pilot or copilot control | The simulator also handles steering, configuration, radio calls or other flight controls. | Turn off AI piloting or copilot control in the in-flight assistance panel. Labels vary slightly by edition. |
| Assistance preset restored | Assisted Landing has returned to On after a preset was selected or settings were synchronised. | Set the desired preset, then switch Assisted Landing off again as the final change. |
| Duplicate throttle binding | Power jumps, jitters or moves when another lever, trigger or button is touched. | Search every connected device for Throttle Axis, throttle increase and throttle decrease assignments, then remove unintended duplicates. |
If the cockpit lever and your physical controller disagree, follow our MSFS 2024 throttle calibration checks rather than changing the landing assistance repeatedly.
Is autothrottle the same as Assisted Landing?
No. Assisted Landing is a simulator-wide aid, while autothrottle or autothrust is part of the aircraft and may be used during a normal approach even with all piloting assists disabled.
- Keep autothrottle active when the aircraft’s normal procedure calls for managed speed control.
- Disconnect it when you specifically want manual thrust, using the aircraft’s own controls rather than only moving the hardware lever.
- Remember that disconnecting the autopilot does not necessarily disconnect autothrottle; they are separate systems in many airliners.
Can I still use autopilot or autoland?
Yes. Turning off MSFS landing assistance does not disable the ILS, autopilot, flight director, aircraft autothrottle or a modelled autoland system. You can remove only the simulator’s intervention while retaining whichever aircraft systems the approach requires.
For a completely hand-flown arrival, disconnect the relevant aircraft automation at a safe point, stabilise speed and configuration, then manage thrust through the flare yourself. Our manual landing procedure for MSFS covers that sequence, while these practical power-and-flare techniques address the next problem most pilots encounter after removing landing assistance.