737 MAX on Xbox with controller: aircraft keeps sinking / nose pitching down after takeoff despite correct setup

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ISSUE DESCRIPTION

Description of the issue:

I’m having a very specific issue with the default 737 MAX in MSFS 2024 on Xbox, and at this point I really don’t think it’s just bad setup or bad flying on my part.

The problem is this: after takeoff, as soon as I try to fly the aircraft manually, the airplane tends to sink and/or the nose pitches down in a way that feels wrong and very hard to control. If I try to compensate with trim, the reaction becomes too strong in the opposite direction. In other words, without enough trim the aircraft sinks, but if I add trim it can quickly become too aggressive. The behavior feels abnormal, not like a normal need to trim a Boeing properly.

A very important detail: I fly using a standard Xbox controller, not a joystick/yoke/sidestick. I know some people use the controller only for FMC/MCDU inputs and fly with a stick, but in my case I am fully hand-flying with the Xbox controller. So I would really like feedback specifically from people who fly the 737 MAX on Xbox with the controller itself.

I want to clarify that I have already checked a lot of things very carefully:

  • the aircraft is set up correctly for departure

  • I verified trim bindings and there are no obvious duplicate trim assignments

  • AI auto trim is OFF

  • assisted controller sensitivity was tested and turning it off did not solve the issue

  • other assistance settings were checked as well

  • CG is in a normal range (around 28% MAC), so it does not look like an extreme balance issue

  • I also tested different controller sensitivity settings

  • I tried different trim techniques

  • I even tried the workaround some users mentioned, such as retracting flaps immediately after takeoff, but the aircraft still sinks

  • I tested different starting conditions, including trying things quickly from the runway

FREQUENCY OF ISSUE

How often does this occur for you (Example: Just once, every time on sim load, intermittently)?

Every time

REPRODUCTION STEPS

Please list clear steps you took in order to help our test team reproduce the same issue:

1 . Load the default Boeing 737 MAX in MSFS 2024 on Xbox and fly using a standard Xbox controller (no joystick/yoke). Set the aircraft up normally for departure with a correct takeoff configuration.

2. Take off normally, retract the gear, and then continue hand-flying manually after liftoff. Keep a normal climb attitude and use normal controller inputs / trim corrections if needed.

3. Observe that the aircraft tends to **sink and/or pitch the nose down abnormally after takeoff, making it very difficult to maintain a stable manual climb, even though the takeoff setup is correct.**YOUR SETTINGS

If the issue still occurs with no mods and add-ons, please continue to report your issue. If not, please move this post to the User Support Hub.

What peripherals are you using, if relevant:

[PC Only] Are you using Developer Mode or have you made any changes to it?

[PC, MSFS 2020 Only] Are you using DX11 or DX12?

[PC Only] What GPU (Graphics Card) do you use?

[PC Only] What other relevant PC specs can you share?

MEDIA

Please add a screenshot or video of the issue occurring.

I had the exact opposite issue. I set the correct takeoff trim before takeoff, lined it up, pushed thrust levers forward only to have the aircraft start doing a wheelie during takeoff. Turns out the trim wheel had rolled full nose up by itself.