Learn how to enable the MSFS 2020 taxi ribbon, request a route from Ground, follow it safely, and fix missing or incorrect guidance.
To use taxi guidance in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020, enable Taxi Ribbon under Assistance Options’ Navigation Aids, then request taxi clearance from Ground through the ATC window. Once a route is assigned, blue arrows appear over the taxiways and lead towards the cleared runway or parking stand.
How do I turn on the taxi ribbon in MSFS 2020?
The Taxi Ribbon is a visual navigation aid; it does not steer, brake or control the aircraft.
- Open Assistance Options: From the main menu or pause menu, open Options and then Assistance Options.
- Expand Navigation Aids: Find Taxi Ribbon and switch it on.
- Apply the change: Save or apply the settings before returning to the aircraft. Changing an assistance preset later can switch the ribbon off again.
- Request a taxi route: At a controlled airport, open the ATC panel, contact Ground and request taxi clearance.
- Follow the blue arrows: Steer along the marked route while keeping the nose wheel near the painted yellow centreline.
Starting from a gate or parking stand gives the simulator a departure taxi route to calculate. If you begin directly on a runway, there is normally no departure taxi guidance to display.
How should I follow the taxi guidance?
The blue chevrons identify the assigned route, but ATC instructions and runway markings still take priority. Taxi at a speed suitable for the aircraft, slow before turns and do not chase every arrow with abrupt steering inputs.
- Follow the airport’s yellow centreline rather than placing the aircraft precisely over each arrow.
- Listen for the taxiway names in the clearance so you can compare them with signs.
- Stop at illuminated stop bars and runway hold-short markings unless ATC has cleared you to cross or enter.
- Never treat a ribbon continuing towards a runway as take-off or crossing clearance.
If the radio procedure is unfamiliar, our guide to contacting Ground and following ATC hand-offs covers the clearance sequence. A flight plan is not required merely to show the ribbon, but setting the departure airport and runway before loading can make the simulator’s instructions more predictable.
How do I get taxi guidance after landing?
After landing, vacate the active runway completely and request taxi to parking from Ground. The ribbon should then draw a route from your position to the assigned gate, stand or general-aviation parking area.
Do not make the request while still on the runway. Depending on the airport, Tower may instruct you to contact Ground first, or the relevant ATC option may appear automatically after you cross the hold-short line.
Why is the MSFS taxi ribbon not showing?
A missing ribbon usually means the aid is disabled or MSFS has not generated a taxi route.
| Symptom | Likely cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| No arrows at any airport | Taxi Ribbon is off or an assistance preset reset it | Enable it under Navigation Aids, apply the change and check it again after changing presets. |
| Ribbon is enabled but nothing appears | No taxi route has been assigned | Contact Ground and request taxi. After landing, vacate the runway first. |
| No Ground option is available | The airport may be uncontrolled or lack suitable ground-frequency data | Use the available ATC options and taxi manually using signs and painted lines. |
| Arrows cross grass or buildings | The scenery and underlying taxiway network do not match | Follow the visible pavement and ATC instructions. Check for conflicting airport scenery packages. |
| The route ends near the runway | You have reached the hold-short point | Stop and wait for take-off, line-up or runway-crossing clearance. |
Taxi-network errors are especially noticeable at modified airports because the visual scenery and the routing data can disagree. The ribbon is an aid, not a guarantee that every airport contains an accurate route.
Should I leave taxi guidance switched on?
Leave the ribbon on while learning an unfamiliar or complicated airport; switch it off when practising realistic taxiway navigation from signs and ATC instructions. For structured practice, the simulator’s flight-training lessons explain beginner taxi aids and ground handling.