Learn how to use approach mode in MSFS 2020: arm APP/APR, select the right nav source, capture guidance and fix common failures.
In Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020, set up and activate the correct ILS or RNAV approach, select the required navigation source, join the final approach course from a sensible intercept, then press APP/APR before capture. Confirm the flight-mode annunciator shows lateral and vertical guidance armed, then captured; the button alone does not configure the approach.
What does APP/APR mode do?
APP, APR or APPR mode arms the aircraft's approach guidance for capture by the flight director and, when engaged, the autopilot. On an ILS, that normally means the localiser and glide slope. On a suitably equipped RNAV approach, it may arm lateral guidance and a calculated glidepath.
It does not select a runway, load an approach, tune every radio or guarantee an automatic landing. Our explanation of what APR mode arms and captures covers the underlying autopilot logic.
Activate Approach in a GPS or flight-management system is a separate command. It activates the relevant flight-plan legs; the cockpit APP/APR button arms the autopilot modes that follow the resulting guidance.
How to use approach mode in MSFS 2020
- Check the approach details. Confirm the runway, approach type, inbound course, intercept altitude, minima and missed-approach instructions. Use the correct approach plate information for MSFS 2020 rather than relying only on the moving map.
- Load the correct approach. Select the runway, procedure and transition in the aircraft's GPS, FMS or MCDU. Activate it when appropriate. Selecting vectors-to-final without receiving vectors can bypass the transition fixes you expected to follow.
- Set the navigation source. For an ILS, tune the published frequency manually if the aircraft does not auto-tune it, set the course where required and confirm the display identifies the intended localiser. The source must become LOC or VLOC for ILS capture; an RNAV approach normally remains on GPS. Some Garmin installations switch automatically near the final approach, but this must be monitored. See our guide to choosing NAV, GPS and approach guidance if the source selection is unclear.
- Set up a clean intercept. Join the final approach course on a converging heading, ideally around 30 degrees or less, and reach the charted intercept altitude before the glide slope or glidepath. An ILS glide slope should normally be intercepted from below.
- Arm APP/APR. Press the cockpit button before crossing the final course, once the correct approach, source and intercept are established. The default keyboard command is
Ctrl+A, although a custom control profile may replace it. For the complete tuning and intercept sequence, follow our full MSFS 2020 ILS procedure. - Read the flight-mode annunciator. Look for modes such as
LOCandGS, orFACandGP. Armed and captured modes use different colours or positions depending on the aircraft. A lit APP button is not proof that either axis has captured. - Manage the rest of the approach. Set speed, flaps, landing gear and missed-approach altitude as required. Approach mode does not normally configure the aircraft or control speed unless a separate autothrottle or autothrust system is doing so.
Why won't approach mode capture in MSFS 2020?
Most approach-mode failures come from the wrong navigation source, poor intercept geometry or trying to capture vertical guidance from above.
| Symptom | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| APP is armed but nothing captures | The aircraft is not converging with the final course, the approach is inactive or the signal is not yet available | Confirm the active leg, frequency and source, then establish a shallow intercept before crossing the course |
| The aircraft follows a magenta GPS line instead of the localiser | GPS is still selected or the ILS is not tuned | Verify the ILS frequency and make sure LOC/VLOC becomes the active source |
| LOC captures but GS remains armed | The aircraft is above the glide slope, the wrong ILS is tuned or that approach has no usable glide-slope signal | Do not force a steep descent. Reposition or go around and intercept the correct glide slope from below |
| RNAV lateral guidance works but no glidepath appears | The procedure has no supported vertical guidance, or the aircraft's avionics use a different VNAV procedure | Check the approach capability shown by the avionics and fly published step-down altitudes when no GP is available |
| The aircraft turns away from final | The wrong transition or flight-plan leg is active | Activate the intended leg and remove any discontinuity before rearming APP |
| Capture occurs and then drops out | The navigation source, frequency or autopilot mode was changed after capture | Check the flight-mode annunciator and avoid selecting another lateral or vertical mode accidentally |
Does approach mode land the aircraft automatically?
No. Approach mode usually tracks the final course and vertical path, but that is not the same as autoland. Most approaches still require the pilot to manage configuration, monitor the guidance and disconnect the autopilot for landing or execute the missed approach at minimums.
Use autoland only when the simulated aircraft supports it and its full procedure has been configured, including any required autopilot channels and landing modes. Seeing LOC and GS captured does not by itself mean the aircraft will flare, touch down or remain on the runway centreline.