The Best Settings for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 on Xbox Series X

With the release of Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 on Xbox Series X, an influx of new (and returning) players has poured in. And for good reason — this is the easiest way to experience the game, without the need for a powerful (and expensive) PC. In fact, this is the first time Microsoft Flight Simulator has been on a console, opening up the floodgates for an even wider player base.

Contents

Control options
General options

As its name suggests, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 is a simulation game, meaning it focuses on a realistic experience that mirrors the real world. Flight enthusiasts may relish the ability to fly planes in a realistic setting, but newcomers might have a more difficult time getting into it due to its complexity. Thankfully, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 has one of the most robust lists of customization options, allowing players to fine-tune the game to their liking.

You can make the game practically play itself, or even turn every assist feature off so it feels like you’re truly flying a plane — and everything in between. Here, we’ll go through all of the best controller settings for the Xbox Series X version (and Xbox Series S). Keep in mind, these settings will make things feel realistic, while still running smoothly — without sacrificing fun. We also won’t be getting into controller button mapping since so much of that comes down to personal preference.

These are the best settings for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 on Xbox Series X.

Recommended reading:

Control options

Sensitivity

LS X

Sensitivity –	-75
Sensitivity +	-75
Dead Zone	25
Neutral	0
Extremity Dead Zone	5
Reactivity	20

LS Y

Sensitivity –	-75
Sensitivity +	-75
Dead Zone	25
Neutral	0
Extremity Dead Zone	5
Reactivity	20

Sensitivity –	0
Sensitivity +	-30
Dead Zone	5
Neutral	0
Extremity Dead Zone	0
Reactivity	100

RS X

Sensitivity –	0
Sensitivity +	0
Dead Zone	15
Neutral	0
Extremity Dead Zone	0
Reactivity	100

RS Y

Sensitivity –	0
Sensitivity +	0
Dead Zone	15
Neutral	0
Extremity Dead Zone	0
Reactivity	100

Sensitivity –	0
Sensitivity +	-30
Dead Zone	15
Neutral	0
Extremity Dead Zone	0
Reactivity	100

General options

Graphics

HDR10

Camera

Global settings

Camera selector	Chase
Quick view function	Hold
Smart camera	Hold
Zoom function	Manual
Focus mode	Toggle

Cockpit camera

Cockpit camera selection	Close
Free look mode	Toggle
Free look reset	Manual
Head up mode	Toggle
Height	50
Horizontal position	55
Zoom	50
Zoom speed	50
Freelook speed	50
Freelook momentum	50
Camera shake	Off
Flashlight mode	Auto
Home cockpit mode	Off

Instruments

Instrument view mode	Toggle
Instrument view selection	Auto

Chase camera

Instrument heads-up display (HUD)	On
POV reset	Manual
Zoom speed	50
External freelook speed	50
External freelook momentum	50

Sound

Communications selection	Default
Warning sounds in external view	Off
VHF signal degradation	On
Active spatial sound	On
ATC text-to-speech settings	Azure
Music selection	Color 2

Volume levels

Master	100
Voices	65
Aircraft engines	75
Aircraft miscellaneous	100
Cockpit	100
Warnings	50
Other aircraft	100
Environment	100
User interface	100
Music	100

Traffic

Aviation traffic

Aircraft traffic type	Real-time online
AI aircraft traffic density	N/A
Show traffic nameplates	Off

Airport life

Airport vehicle density	100
Ground aircraft density	100
Worker density	100

Land and sea traffic

Leisure boats	100
Road vehicles	100
Ships and ferries	100
Fauna density	100

Data

Data connection

Online functionality	On
Bing data world graphics	On
Photogrammetry	On
Live real-world air traffic	On
Live weather	On
Multiplayer	On

Accessibility

Screen narration settings

Enable screen narrator	Off (personal preference)
Screen narrator volume	N/A (personal preference)
Screen narrator pitch	N/A (personal preference)
Screen narrator speed	N/A (personal preference)

User interface

Minimum text size	25
Interface scale	100
Menu tooltips	On
Instrument name tooltips	Instant
Instrument description tooltips	Instant
Background opacity	20
Main color	Default (personal preference)
Menu animations	On
Subtitles	On
Skip pre-flight cinematics	On
Controller vibration	50

Cursor settings

Cursor acceleration	5
Cursor max speed	5

Assistance options

Aircraft systems

Automixture	On
Unlimited fuel	On
Aircraft lights	On
Gyro drift	On

Failure and damage

Crash damage	Enabled
Aircraft stress damage	Disabled
Engine stress damage	Disabled
Icing effect	On

Navigation aids

Route and waypoints	On
Taxi ribbon	On
Landing path	On
Smartcam mode	Auto

Notification

Piloting and controls notifications	Off
Aircraft system	On
Flying tips	Off
Objectives	On
Software tips	On

Piloting

Take-off auto-rudder	On
Assisted yoke	On
Assisted checklist	On
Assisted landing	On
Assisted takeoff	On
A.I. radio communications (ATC)	Off
A.I. anti-stall protection	On
A.I. auto-trim	On
Assisted controller sensitivity	On

POI

Landmark markers	On
City markers	On
Airport markers	Off
Fauna markers	Off
Display direction to chosen POI	On
Display all labels	Off

User experience

ATC UI panel open at start	Off
Show message log-in ATC menu	Off
ATC voices	Off
Checklist UI panel open at start	Off
VFR map UI panel open at start	Off
Nav log UI panel open at start	Off
A.I. piloting in cursor mode	On