MSFS 2024 PFD and ND. Modern aircraft in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 use glass-cockpit displays, such as the Primary Flight Display (PFD) and the Navigation Display (ND). For new sim pilots, these screens can look complicated at first. Numbers, tapes, colours, lines, and symbols are constantly moving.
The good news is that these displays are actually designed to simplify flying, not make it harder. Once you understand what each section shows, you only need to scan a few key areas to stay fully aware of how your aircraft is flying.
This beginner guide explains how to read the PFD and ND in MSFS 2024, so you can fly modern glass-cockpit aircraft with confidence.
Quick Reference: What the PFD and ND Show
Before we go deeper, here is a simple overview.
PFD (Primary Flight Display)
Shows how the aircraft is flying right now.
Key information includes:
- Aircraft attitude (pitch and bank)
- Airspeed
- Altitude
- Vertical speed
- Heading
ND (Navigation Display)
Shows where the aircraft is going.
Key information includes:
- Flight plan route
- Waypoints
- Distance to destination
- Wind information
- Navigation tracking
Think of it this way:
PFD = How the aircraft is flying
ND = Where the aircraft is going
What Is the PFD?
The Primary Flight Display shows the aircraft’s current flight condition.
It answers the core questions every pilot needs to know:
- Am I climbing or descending?
- Am I turning?
- Am I too fast or too slow?
- Am I at the correct altitude?
- Am I level?
Once you learn to read the PFD, you can instantly understand what the aircraft is doing.
The Attitude Indicator (Centre of the PFD)
This is the most important instrument on the PFD.
It shows:
- Aircraft pitch (nose up or nose down)
- Aircraft bank (left or right roll)
- Artificial horizon line
If you could only look at one instrument in poor visibility, this would be the one.
What to watch
- Keep the wings level unless intentionally turning
- Avoid excessive nose-up pitch that could lead to a stall
- Avoid excessive nose-down pitch that can cause overspeed
The attitude indicator is the foundation of aircraft control.
The Airspeed Tape (Left Side)
This vertical tape shows your current indicated airspeed.
Important features include:
- Green arc – normal operating range
- Yellow arc – caution range
- Red line – never exceed speed
- White arc – flap operating range (GA aircraft)
Common beginner mistake
Many pilots focus heavily on altitude and forget to monitor airspeed.
This often leads to unstable approaches, in which the aircraft accelerates too quickly during descent.
The Altitude Tape (Right Side)
This vertical tape displays your current altitude.
It also shows:
- Selected altitude (when using autopilot)
- Altitude trend indicator (a small arrow showing climb or descent)
What to watch
- Make small pitch adjustments to maintain altitude
- Avoid aggressively chasing altitude changes
- Always monitor the selected altitude when using the autopilot
Smooth corrections produce smoother flying.
The Vertical Speed Indicator
The vertical speed indicator (VSI) shows how quickly the aircraft is climbing or descending.
It is displayed in feet per minute (fpm).
- Positive numbers indicate climbing
- Negative numbers indicate descending
Typical climb and descent rates for light aircraft are around 300–700 fpm.
Excessive vertical speed close to the ground often results in unstable landings.
The Heading Indicator (Bottom of the PFD)
The heading indicator shows the direction the aircraft is pointing.
When using the autopilot, you will also see:
- The heading bug
- Target heading settings
When flying in NAV mode, the heading display helps confirm your general direction of travel.
The Flight Director (If Enabled)
When enabled, the flight director displays command bars on the PFD.
These bars indicate the pitch and roll attitude needed to follow the selected flight mode.
If you keep the aircraft symbol aligned with the command bars, you are flying the correct attitude for the current autopilot mode.
A common misunderstanding:
The flight director does not control the aircraft. It only provides guidance.
The autopilot must be engaged for the aircraft to follow those commands automatically.
What Is the ND?
The Navigation Display (ND) focuses on navigation and route awareness.
It answers important questions such as:
- Where am I?
- What route am I following?
- What waypoint is next?
- How far is my destination?
- What is the wind doing?
While the PFD shows how the aircraft is flying, the ND shows where the aircraft is going.
The Route Line (Magenta Line)
The magenta line represents your programmed flight plan.
If your aircraft drifts away from this line, you are off course.
When using NAV mode, the autopilot should automatically follow this route.
Monitoring this line helps ensure you remain on track.
Waypoints
Waypoints appear as small symbols with names on the navigation display.
These represent:
- Turning points
- Navigation fixes
- Intersections
- Departure and arrival points
Watching waypoint sequencing helps you anticipate upcoming turns and route changes.
Range and Zoom
Most navigation displays allow you to adjust the map range.
Typical usage:
- Short range – useful during approach
- Medium range – useful during departure
- Wide range – useful during the cruise
Changing the range helps you maintain situational awareness.
Wind Information
Wind information is often displayed on either the ND or PFD.
It typically shows:
- Wind direction
- Wind speed
This information helps pilots understand:
- Crosswind conditions
- Aircraft drift relative to the ground
Common Beginner Mistakes with PFD and ND
Fixating on One Instrument
Instead of staring at one gauge, pilots use a scan pattern.
Example scan:
Attitude → Airspeed → Altitude → Heading → Back to Attitude
This keeps you aware of the aircraft’s overall condition.
Ignoring Airspeed During Descent
One of the most common mistakes in flight simulation is allowing airspeed to creep up during descent.
Regularly monitoring speed helps maintain a stable approach.
Not Confirming the Navigation Source
If the ND does not match your expectations, check:
- GPS vs NAV source
- Active waypoint
- Flight plan sequencing
Navigation confusion often comes from incorrect source selection.
Chasing the Flight Director Too Aggressively
The flight director should be followed with smooth, gentle inputs.
Large or abrupt corrections will quickly lead to unstable flying.
Simple Scan Technique for Beginners
During Climb
Scan:
- Attitude
- Airspeed
- Vertical speed
- Altitude
- Heading
At Cruise
Scan:
- Attitude
- Altitude
- Heading
- ND route tracking
During Approach
Scan:
- Airspeed
- Attitude
- Glideslope/localiser (if using ILS)
- Altitude
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the PFD in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024?
The Primary Flight Display (PFD) shows the aircraft’s current flight condition. It displays attitude, airspeed, altitude, vertical speed, and heading. By scanning these instruments regularly, pilots can quickly understand how the aircraft is flying.
What does the Navigation Display (ND) show?
The Navigation Display (ND) shows where the aircraft is going. It displays the programmed flight route, waypoints, navigation tracking, and sometimes wind information. This helps pilots maintain situational awareness during the flight.
What is the most important instrument on the PFD?
The attitude indicator is the most important instrument on the PFD. It shows the aircraft’s pitch and bank relative to the horizon. In poor visibility or instrument conditions, pilots rely heavily on the attitude indicator to maintain control.
Why is the route line magenta in modern aircraft?
The magenta line represents the active flight plan route programmed into the aircraft’s navigation system. When the aircraft is following this line, it is tracking the correct route between waypoints.
How should beginners scan the PFD?
A simple scan pattern for beginners is:
Attitude → Airspeed → Altitude → Heading → Back to Attitude
This continuous scan allows pilots to maintain awareness of the aircraft’s performance and direction.
Summary
The Primary Flight Display (PFD) shows how the aircraft is flying.
The Navigation Display (ND) shows where the aircraft is going.
Once you understand this division of roles, modern glass cockpit aircraft become far easier to manage.
Focus first on attitude, then monitor airspeed and altitude, and finally maintain navigation awareness.
Develop a calm scanning habit rather than staring at a single instrument.
When used properly, the PFD and ND transform Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 from a simple game into a highly immersive and realistic flight simulation experience.