Microsoft Flight Simulator: Ground Services Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 guide, tips

Last update: 29 December 2022

In this chapter of our Flight Simulator 2020 guide, we detail services offered by Ground Services found at airports. We explain the individual features and their effect on gameplay.

In Flight Simulator 2020, work of Ground Services is faithfully recreated, creating an atmosphere of a real airport. A variety of services can be summoned to a plane standing in a parking space - we can see luggage loading, catering, refueling, or deployment of the jetway connecting the plane to the terminal. All of these attractions are purely cosmetic, with the exception of pushback service, which involves towing the aircraft from the terminal up to a place where it can start taxiing.

The number of Ground Service options available depends on the size of the airport and the type of aircraft. The most complex Ground Service is at large airports, and near places marked as "gate", containing a jetway and near large passenger planes. On some airports, the Ground Service is limited to a pushback vehicle, and there are cases of a complete lack of it on certain field airports.

• Calling Ground Service
• Pushback
• Fuel Supply
• Power Supply
• Baggage Service
• Catering Service
• Jetway Connection

Calling Ground Service

Ground services are not available without certain actions. To summon them, your radio must be turned on - if the power doesn't work, you won't be able to use it. Use checklists to activate the plane's batteries. In the radio menu, choose the last position (Ground Services). A list of available features will appear.

Pushback

The pushback function moves the aircraft to a place where it can freely begin taxiing. The default keyboard shortcut for is Left Shift + P. During towing, additional commands can be issued over the radio to make the tug turn left or right.

The pushback option is a very important feature - it's the only way we can get a big Boeing on the runway.

Remember, towing won't start until you release the parking brake.

At small airports and with small planes, the tug will be a little more modest.

Fuel Supply

The Fuel Supply option summons the tanker. The default keyboard shortcut is Left Shift + F. Take into account that the tanker often comes from far away and the whole process takes a long time.

When it arrives, a fuel supply menu will be displayed - the same that can be activated through the toolbar.

Power Supply

Theoretically, Power Supply option allows you to save battery power during long idling periods before starting. Unfortunately, in the game, you have to turn it on first and use the radio to summon Power Supply.

Baggage Service

Baggage Service is purely cosmetic. It serves as means of building climate and immersion.

Catering Service

Catering, i.e. loading trays with meals, is purely cosmetic. It serves to build the atmosphere.

Jetway Connection

The Jetway is a foldable corridor that is used by passengers to board a plane. Doesn't influence the gameplay - purely cosmetic feature.

If the parking space is away from the terminal, you can bring up ramp connection.