How do I use the GPS in FSX?

In FSX and FSX: Steam Edition, open the aircraft’s GPS, load or create a flight plan, then follow the magenta active leg. The GPS supplies course guidance; it does not steer the aircraft by itself. To make the autopilot track it, select GPS as the navigation source and engage NAV mode.

How do I open the GPS in FSX?

On many default aircraft, press Shift+3 to open or close the Garmin-style GPS 500 popup. You can also select Views > Instrument Panel > GPS; press Alt first if the menu bar is hidden.

If the screen is blank, turn on the battery, alternator or generator, and avionics master. Some add-on aircraft use a custom GPS, FMS or virtual-cockpit unit and may not provide the standard FSX popup.

The controls used most often are:

• FPL displays the active flight plan and its waypoints.
• Direct-to creates immediate guidance to a selected airport or waypoint.
• PROC opens available arrivals and approaches.
• RNG changes the map scale.
• CRSR activates the cursor; the right-hand knobs select characters and fields.
• ENT confirms a selection, while CLR cancels or returns to the previous page.

How do I follow an FSX flight plan with the GPS?

The simplest method is to create or load the route through FSX’s Flight Planner before departure. Our walkthrough for creating and loading a route in the built-in Flight Planner covers IFR and VFR plans without duplicating those steps here.

1. Load the flight plan. A plan merely saved as a .PLN file is not necessarily active; load it into the flight through the planner.
2. Open the GPS. Press FPL and confirm that the expected airports and waypoints appear in order.
3. Find the active leg. The GPS highlights the route and current leg in magenta. Check that it points towards the waypoint you intend to fly next.
4. Choose a useful range. Zoom out to understand the route, then zoom in near turns and the destination.
5. Follow the guidance. When flying manually, steer to keep the course-deviation indication centred. DTK is the desired track to the active waypoint; TRK is the aircraft’s actual track over the ground.

The heading bug does not define the GPS route. Wind may also require a heading different from DTK, so concentrate on actual track and lateral deviation rather than matching the aircraft’s heading to the displayed course.

How do I make the autopilot follow the GPS?

On most stock FSX aircraft, set the cockpit’s NAV/GPS selector to GPS, establish a sensible intercept with the route, then engage the autopilot and NAV mode. The aircraft should turn to capture and track the active magenta leg.

The GPS and NAV modes control lateral guidance only. Altitude, speed and descent still require the appropriate autopilot modes or manual control. If the aeroplane remains in heading mode, flies straight ahead or chases the wrong source, use our GPS and NAV autopilot fault checklist.

How do I fly direct-to an airport or waypoint?

The Direct-to function bypasses normal leg sequencing and guides the aircraft straight to the selected fix.

1. Press the Direct-to button.
2. Use the cursor and right-hand knob hotspots to enter the airport, VOR, NDB or intersection identifier.
3. Check the displayed facility name and location so that you do not activate the wrong identifier.
4. Press ENT to accept the waypoint, then confirm activation when prompted.

The stored flight plan remains available, but Direct-to becomes the active guidance. For route editing and the less obvious knob behaviour, see our detailed instructions for entering FSX GPS waypoints.

Can the FSX GPS fly an approach?

The default GPS can load and sequence compatible approaches, but it does not provide modern WAAS LPV vertical guidance. Press PROC, select the approach and transition, then choose Load while still en route or Activate when ready to join it.

Activating an approach too early can make the GPS turn towards an unwanted initial fix. Loading it first preserves the normal en-route guidance until the approach is needed. An ILS still requires the localiser frequency in NAV1, the navigation source changed from GPS to NAV, and APR mode for localiser and glideslope capture; our default GPS approach procedure explains the full handover.

FSX’s built-in navigation database reflects release-era information. Waypoints, runway designations and procedures can therefore differ from newer charts, and the simulator will only offer procedures present in its own database.

Why is the GPS route wrong or missing?

• No route appears: reload the flight plan into the active flight, then check the FPL page.
• The magenta line points behind the aircraft: the previous leg may still be active. Use Direct-to for the intended next waypoint or activate the correct leg from the flight-plan page.
• The GPS is completely dark: check electrical and avionics power rather than the map settings.
• The autopilot ignores the line: confirm that GPS, not NAV, is selected and that NAV mode is engaged instead of HDG.
• The expected approach is absent: it may not exist in the default FSX navigation database.
• The controls differ from these instructions: the aircraft may have a custom GPS or FMS whose source selection and autopilot logic replace the stock FSX system.