What is the Xbox controller layout in MSFS?
On the standard Xbox gamepad profile in Microsoft Flight Simulator, the left stick controls pitch and roll, the triggers control rudder, A/B adjust throttle, X applies wheel brakes, the bumpers operate flaps, and the right stick looks around. Parking brake, trim, gear and cockpit commands use secondary or contextual bindings.
What are the default Xbox controller buttons?
The standard flying layout places the primary controls under your thumbs and index fingers, with secondary aircraft functions assigned to buttons or button combinations.
| Xbox control | Default flying function | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Left stick | Pitch and roll | Push forward to lower the nose, pull back to raise it, and move sideways for ailerons. |
| LT / RT | Rudder left / right | These are analogue rudder inputs. Nose-wheel steering normally follows them where supported by the aircraft. |
| A | Increase throttle | This commands a throttle change rather than acting as a physical throttle axis. |
| B | Decrease throttle | Reverse thrust, cutoff and engine-specific detents may need separate assignments or cockpit interaction. |
| X | Wheel brakes | Hold it for braking. Its behaviour may change while using a menu or camera context. |
| LB | Decrease or retract flaps | Moves the flaps by one stage on aircraft with detented flap settings. |
| RB | Increase or extend flaps | Moves the flaps by one stage. |
| Right stick | Freelook | Moves the cockpit or external camera; pressing it commonly re-centres the view. |
| View button | Switch cockpit/external camera | The precise camera action depends on the active camera profile. |
| Menu button | Pause menu | Opens the simulator menu rather than operating the aircraft. |
| Left-stick press | Usually toggles cursor mode | Cursor mode changes how the sticks and face buttons interact with cockpit controls and menus. |
| Y, D-pad and button chords | Secondary commands | Parking brake, trim, landing gear, camera and system shortcuts vary between presets and simulator versions. |
This is the standard flying context, not a promise that every button always performs that action. When cursor mode, a menu or a camera tool is active, the same controls can select interface elements instead.
Does MSFS 2024 use the same layout as MSFS 2020?
The primary flight controls are broadly similar, but the complete Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 and MSFS 2024 controller maps should not be treated as identical.
MSFS 2024 organises control profiles differently and may offer more than one relevant preset. A legacy-style profile, a customised device profile or a cloud-synchronised profile can therefore produce different trim, parking-brake, landing-gear and camera shortcuts. The same distinction applies when using an Xbox controller on PC.
For help choosing a profile and configuring the device, follow our MSFS 2024 Xbox controller set-up walkthrough.
How do I see my exact Xbox controller layout?
The controls screen is the authoritative layout because it shows the profile actually loaded on your console or PC.
- Open Controls or Controls Options. The wording and menu position differ between MSFS 2020 and MSFS 2024.
- Select the Xbox controller. Do not inspect the keyboard, mouse or general interface device by mistake.
- Check the active preset or profile. Duplicate it before making changes so the original remains available.
- Filter for assigned commands. This removes the many unbound simulator commands from the results.
- Search by input. Use input scanning, then press a button or move an axis to reveal everything assigned to it.
- Check each control category. Aircraft, camera and interface controls may assign different actions to the same button.
- Save and apply the profile. Confirm that the intended profile is associated with the controller and aircraft category.
Why do my buttons not match the default layout?
A mismatched profile or control context is usually responsible when the displayed Xbox layout does not match what happens in the aircraft.
- Cursor mode is active: the controller is operating a pointer or cockpit interface instead of the aircraft.
- A different preset is loaded: switching between default, legacy-style and custom profiles changes secondary commands.
- Two devices control the same axis: a joystick, keyboard, controller or assistance feature may fight the input and cause twitching or unwanted throttle changes.
- The binding exists in another category: camera and interface assignments can override expectations without replacing the aircraft binding.
- The aircraft handles a command differently: complex or add-on aircraft may require cockpit operation for detents, reverse thrust or specialised systems.
A mouse can make switches, rotary controls and glass-cockpit panels much easier to operate alongside the gamepad. If the pointer does not interact properly, use our guide to fix Xbox cockpit mouse controls in MSFS 2024.
Which extra controls should you map first?
Elevator trim is the first extra binding we recommend because holding pitch with the stick is tiring and makes accurate approaches harder.
- Map elevator trim up and down for every aircraft type.
- Add landing gear and parking brake if their default button combinations are awkward.
- For airliners, prioritise spoilers, reverse thrust and autopilot disconnect.
- Keep camera shortcuts only if they do not displace controls needed during take-off or landing.
An Xbox controller is practical for general flying, but its short stick travel and button-operated throttle limit fine control. Our comparison of gamepads, joysticks and yokes explains when changing hardware provides a meaningful improvement.