Learn how to activate reverse thrust in MSFS 2020 by keyboard or throttle, choose the correct binding, and fix reversers that will not engage.
In Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020, touch down, bring the thrust levers to idle, then hold F2 to command reverse thrust on an aircraft fitted with reversers. Release F2 and tap F3 until reverse is stowed before taxi speed. Use wheel brakes too; reverse thrust assists the landing roll rather than replacing braking.
How do I activate reverse thrust with the keyboard?
The default keyboard method is to hold F2 after the aircraft has touched down and the throttle has reached idle.
- Choose a compatible aircraft. Most airliners and some business jets and turboprops have reverse or beta-range capability. Many piston aircraft do not.
- Touch down and select idle thrust. Allow the main landing gear to register weight on wheels; many aircraft prevent reverser deployment in flight.
- Hold F2. If the throttle is above idle, F2 first reduces forward thrust. Continue holding it to move into reverse.
- Check the aircraft indication. Look for movement of the reverse levers, a REV indication, rising engine power or propellers entering reverse pitch. The exact indication depends on the aircraft.
- Stow reverse. Release F2 and tap F3 until the levers return to idle. Stop there: additional F3 inputs will command forward thrust.
Keep the aircraft on the centreline with rudder or nosewheel steering and use normal wheel braking as required. Our complete MSFS landing and rollout procedure explains how reverse, spoilers and brakes work together.
Which reverse-thrust control should I bind?
Choose the binding according to whether you use a keyboard, a momentary button or a throttle quadrant with physical reverse detents.
| Control setup | Suggested command | How it works |
|---|---|---|
| Keyboard or simple button | Decrease Throttle | Hold the control at idle to increase reverse thrust; use Increase Throttle to return to idle. |
| Spring-loaded paddle or button | Hold Throttle Reverse Thrust | Hold the assigned control while moving the throttle axis to regulate reverse, then release it after returning to idle. |
| Single push-button | Toggle Throttle Reverse Thrust | Activate reverse mode, move the throttle to set reverse power, return it to idle and toggle reverse mode off. |
| Detented throttle quadrant | Aircraft-specific axis or detent calibration | Calibrate idle and reverse zones in the aircraft or controller software where that facility is provided. |
Open Controls Options, select the active keyboard, controller or throttle profile, and search by the command names above. Xbox controller mappings are profile-dependent, so there is no reliable universal button combination after controls have been customised.
The Reverse Axis checkbox is easily misunderstood: it reverses the electrical direction of an axis and does not enable engine reverse thrust. Thrustmaster Airbus owners should use our TCA Airbus detent and reverse-thrust setup, which covers the engine-specific bindings and common calibration faults.
Why is reverse thrust not working in MSFS 2020?
Reverse thrust usually fails because the aircraft lacks reversers, the throttle has not reached idle, or another control assignment is overriding the command.
- The aircraft has no reverse capability: check the cockpit for reverse levers or a beta range. A conventional fixed-pitch piston propeller cannot produce reverse thrust.
- A hardware axis is overriding F2: pull the physical throttle fully back. If reverse appears briefly and then snaps to forward idle, recalibrate the idle position, add a small dead zone or remove the conflicting axis assignment.
- The wrong control profile is active: MSFS stores separate profiles for each device. Confirm that the binding appears under the profile actually selected.
- Duplicate assignments are fighting: search for assigned throttle commands across the keyboard, controller and quadrant. Clear unintended bindings, especially engine-specific axes mixed with a combined throttle axis.
- The reversers are ground-locked: some aircraft will not deploy until weight-on-wheels logic confirms touchdown. Touching down extremely gently or attempting reverse while airborne may leave them locked.
- The aircraft uses custom calibration: complex add-on aircraft may process throttle detents through an onboard tablet or cockpit utility rather than the simulator's generic axis settings.
- Only one engine responds: check for commands such as engine-one or engine-two throttle decrease. Use the combined command unless asymmetric reverse is intentional.
- AI assistance is controlling the aircraft: automated piloting or assisted landing can overwrite manual throttle inputs. Disable the relevant assistance before troubleshooting the hardware.
For a quick isolation test, disconnect or temporarily unassign the throttle quadrant and try the default F2 command. If keyboard reverse works, the aircraft is compatible and the fault lies in the hardware profile, detent calibration or duplicated assignment.
When should I stow reverse thrust?
Reduce to idle reverse as the aircraft slows, then stow the reversers before reaching taxi speed or applying forward taxi thrust.
There is no single correct speed for every aircraft, so follow its checklist or operating procedure. Reverse becomes less effective as speed falls, while wheel brakes remain the primary means of bringing the aircraft to a controlled stop. Jet engines also take time to spool, so repeatedly changing between maximum reverse and idle produces a delayed response.
Can I use reverse thrust to push the aircraft backwards?
Do not use reverse thrust as a substitute for normal pushback unless a particular aircraft's procedures explicitly permit powerback operations. It can be difficult to control, may not be modelled correctly and leaves no simple way to stop or steer once momentum builds. Use the simulator's tug and pushback controls when leaving a stand.