See the default MSFS Xbox controls for flight, throttle, brakes, flaps, trim and cameras, plus fixes for wrong profiles and cursor mode.
On Microsoft Flight Simulator's standard Xbox controller profile, the left stick controls pitch and roll, LT/RT control the rudder, A/B change throttle, X applies wheel brakes, LB/RB move the flaps, and the right stick looks around. Trim, parking brake and other secondary commands use combinations that can differ by version or preset.
Default Xbox controller layout in MSFS 2020 and 2024
The standard MSFS 2020 preset and the familiar stock MSFS 2024 profiles broadly share their primary flight controls. Modifier combinations, cameras and secondary systems are more likely to differ between versions, legacy-style presets and customised profiles.
| Xbox input | Default action | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Left stick up/down | Pitch | Push forward to lower the nose; pull back to raise it. |
| Left stick left/right | Roll | Moves the ailerons and banks the aircraft. |
| LT / RT | Rudder left / right | Controls yaw and usually provides nose-wheel steering where supported. |
| A | Increase throttle | Commands a digital throttle increase rather than acting as an analogue lever. |
| B | Decrease throttle | Reduces power towards idle. Reverse thrust and throttle detents are aircraft-dependent. |
| X | Wheel brakes | Hold to brake. This is separate from the parking-brake toggle. |
| LB | Retract or decrease flaps | Moves the flaps up by one stage. |
| RB | Extend or increase flaps | Moves the flaps down by one stage. |
| Y + B | Toggle parking brake | The familiar MSFS 2020 profile uses Y as the modifier; verify this combination in MSFS 2024. |
| Y + D-pad up/down | Adjust elevator trim | Tap carefully because trim can change quickly. Modifier bindings may differ by profile. |
| D-pad without a modifier | Cockpit quick views | Standard MSFS 2020 behaviour; the active camera context or preset can change it. |
| Right stick | Look around | Moves the cockpit or external camera. |
| Right-stick button | Reset or recentre camera | The exact result depends on the active camera mode. |
| View button | Change camera | Switches between cockpit and external views. |
| Left-stick button | Toggle cursor mode | Changes the left stick from aircraft control to cockpit-pointer control. |
| A in cursor mode | Select or operate | Uses the highlighted cockpit control. |
| B in menus | Back or cancel | Returns from the active menu or interface panel. |
| Menu button | Pause menu | Opens the simulator's pause menu. |
Landing gear, spoilers, autopilot and engine-system shortcuts are less consistent between generations and presets. Check our detailed MSFS 2024 Xbox binding list before relying on an MSFS 2020 control diagram for those commands.
How do you use flaps in Flight Simulator on Xbox?
On the standard flying profile, press RB to extend the flaps and LB to retract them, one stage per press. Watch the cockpit flap indicator rather than holding a bumper, and remain below the flap-extension speed specified for that aircraft.
If the bumpers do nothing, leave cursor or camera mode and confirm that Increase Flaps and Decrease Flaps are assigned to the controller. Aircraft with continuous, unusual or automated flap systems may not respond like a typical detented trainer or airliner.
Why does the left stick move a cursor instead of the aircraft?
Cursor mode is active when the left stick moves a cockpit pointer rather than the yoke or side-stick. Press the left-stick button to leave cursor mode and resume aircraft control.
This is a mistake we see constantly because the controller has not failed and its flight bindings are still present. Camera, menu and interface contexts can also change what a button does without removing its aircraft assignment.
Does MSFS 2024 use the same Xbox layout as MSFS 2020?
MSFS 2024 and MSFS 2020 use broadly similar primary controls, but their complete Xbox layouts are not identical. Profile organisation, trim, parking brake, landing gear, cameras and other combinations can differ, particularly with a legacy-style, customised or cloud-synchronised profile.
The same warning applies when using an Xbox controller on PC. If MSFS 2024 has selected the wrong device or profile, follow our controller selection and default-profile setup steps before editing individual commands.
How do I check or restore my Xbox controller layout?
The Controls screen is authoritative because it shows the profile actually loaded for your controller, simulator version and control context.
- Open Controls or Controls Options: Enter the controls screen from the main options or pause menu.
- Select the Xbox controller: Do not edit the keyboard, mouse, general interface or another flight controller by mistake.
- Check the active preset: Preserve or duplicate a customised profile before changing it.
- Show assigned commands: Use the assigned-controls filter to hide the simulator's many unbound actions.
- Search by input: Start input scanning, then press the suspect button or move the stick to reveal every attached assignment.
- Check each context: Aircraft, camera and interface categories can give the same input different jobs.
- Restore the supplied default: Select the factory preset if necessary. Its displayed name and location differ between MSFS 2020 and MSFS 2024.
- Apply and test: Use a simple aircraft parked on the ground before adding commands or changing sensitivity.
Why do my buttons not match the default controls?
A mismatched profile, control context or competing input is usually responsible when the published Xbox layout does not match the aircraft.
- Wrong device or preset: Confirm that the Xbox controller itself is selected and uses the supplied default rather than a copied, legacy-style or customised profile.
- Cursor, menu or camera mode: The sticks and buttons may be controlling the interface instead of the aircraft.
- Duplicate bindings: A yoke, throttle quadrant, keyboard, second controller or PC remapping layer may be sending the same axis or command.
- Autopilot or assistance: Assisted rudder, take-off assistance, AI control or an engaged autopilot can mask or oppose a valid input.
- Different control category: An aircraft assignment may still exist while another context changes the button's immediate action.
- Aircraft-specific behaviour: Flap stages, braking, throttle detents, reverse thrust and specialised systems can respond differently even when the physical binding is unchanged.
Can you fly Microsoft Flight Simulator using only a controller?
An Xbox controller is sufficient for ordinary VFR flying, but its short stick travel, limited buttons and digital throttle make precise trim, power control and complex cockpit work harder. Cursor mode handles functions without dedicated bindings; a mouse and keyboard make rotary controls, glass-cockpit panels and extra shortcuts easier on supported platforms.
Not every aircraft function receives a default gamepad button. Landing gear, spoilers, lights, engine controls and autopilot functions may require combinations, cursor interaction or additional bindings. The Xbox button remains a system-level control rather than a dependable aircraft command.
Which extra controls should you map first?
Map elevator trim first, followed by landing gear and parking brake if their standard combinations feel awkward. Airliner users should add spoilers, reverse thrust and autopilot disconnect before spending scarce buttons on extra camera views. Our guide to setting up gamepad and joystick throttle controls covers separate axes and aircraft-dependent throttle functions.
Should you change the default sensitivity settings?
Keep the default bindings initially, but adjust sensitivity and dead zones if pitch or roll feels twitchy or an axis drifts when released. Add only enough dead zone to stop unwanted movement; too much creates a numb centre and makes small corrections harder.
Reduce sensitivity if the aircraft reacts too sharply, then test in a stable, familiar aircraft. Our practical Xbox sensitivity and dead-zone settings explain which adjustments to make in MSFS 2020 and MSFS 2024.