diff --git a/ROMFS/px4fmu_common/init.d-posix/airframes/4003_gz_rc_cessna b/ROMFS/px4fmu_common/init.d-posix/airframes/4003_gz_rc_cessna
index 5fa839247e..b31256e6cf 100644
--- a/ROMFS/px4fmu_common/init.d-posix/airframes/4003_gz_rc_cessna
+++ b/ROMFS/px4fmu_common/init.d-posix/airframes/4003_gz_rc_cessna
@@ -10,6 +10,8 @@ PX4_SIMULATOR=${PX4_SIMULATOR:=gz}
 PX4_GZ_WORLD=${PX4_GZ_WORLD:=default}
 PX4_SIM_MODEL=${PX4_SIM_MODEL:=rc_cessna}
 
+param set-default SENS_EN_ARSPDSIM 1
+
 param set-default EKF2_MAG_ACCLIM 0
 param set-default EKF2_MAG_YAWLIM 0
 
diff --git a/ROMFS/px4fmu_common/init.d-posix/airframes/4004_gz_standard_vtol b/ROMFS/px4fmu_common/init.d-posix/airframes/4004_gz_standard_vtol
index 5c3e5f7fca..84cc8bd430 100644
--- a/ROMFS/px4fmu_common/init.d-posix/airframes/4004_gz_standard_vtol
+++ b/ROMFS/px4fmu_common/init.d-posix/airframes/4004_gz_standard_vtol
@@ -11,6 +11,8 @@ PX4_SIMULATOR=${PX4_SIMULATOR:=gz}
 PX4_GZ_WORLD=${PX4_GZ_WORLD:=default}
 PX4_SIM_MODEL=${PX4_SIM_MODEL:=standard_vtol}
 
+param set-default SENS_EN_ARSPDSIM 1
+
 # TODO: Enable motor failure detection when the
 # VTOL no longer reports 0A for all ESCs in SITL
 param set-default FD_ACT_EN 0
diff --git a/ROMFS/px4fmu_common/init.d-posix/px4-rc.simulator b/ROMFS/px4fmu_common/init.d-posix/px4-rc.simulator
index acc02a06d2..4e5f216735 100644
--- a/ROMFS/px4fmu_common/init.d-posix/px4-rc.simulator
+++ b/ROMFS/px4fmu_common/init.d-posix/px4-rc.simulator
@@ -80,7 +80,10 @@ elif [ "$PX4_SIMULATOR" = "gz" ] || [ "$(param show -q SIM_GZ_EN)" -eq "1" ]; th
 			sensor_baro_sim start
 			sensor_gps_sim start
 			sensor_mag_sim start
-			sensor_airspeed_sim start
+			if param compare -s SENS_EN_ARSPDSIM 1
+			then
+				sensor_airspeed_sim start
+			fi
 
 		else
 			echo "ERROR [init] gz_bridge failed to start"
@@ -94,7 +97,10 @@ elif [ "$PX4_SIMULATOR" = "gz" ] || [ "$(param show -q SIM_GZ_EN)" -eq "1" ]; th
 			sensor_baro_sim start
 			sensor_gps_sim start
 			sensor_mag_sim start
-			sensor_airspeed_sim start
+			if param compare -s SENS_EN_ARSPDSIM 1
+			then
+				sensor_airspeed_sim start
+			fi
 
 		else
 			echo "ERROR [init] gz_bridge failed to start"
@@ -109,7 +115,10 @@ elif [ "$PX4_SIMULATOR" = "gz" ] || [ "$(param show -q SIM_GZ_EN)" -eq "1" ]; th
 			sensor_baro_sim start
 			sensor_gps_sim start
 			sensor_mag_sim start
-			sensor_airspeed_sim start
+			if param compare -s SENS_EN_ARSPDSIM 1
+			then
+				sensor_airspeed_sim start
+			fi
 
 		else
 			echo "ERROR [init] gz_bridge failed to start"
diff --git a/src/modules/simulation/sensor_airspeed_sim/parameters.c b/src/modules/simulation/sensor_airspeed_sim/parameters.c
index 0b4d4d11cb..f462b69123 100644
--- a/src/modules/simulation/sensor_airspeed_sim/parameters.c
+++ b/src/modules/simulation/sensor_airspeed_sim/parameters.c
@@ -32,10 +32,13 @@
  ****************************************************************************/
 
 /**
- * simulated GPS number of satellites used
+ * Enable simulated airspeed sensor instance
  *
+ * @reboot_required true
  * @min 0
- * @max  50
- * @group Simulator
- */
-// PARAM_DEFINE_INT32(SIM_GPS_USED, 10);
+ * @max 1
+ * @group Sensors
+ * @value 0 Disabled
+ * @value 1 Enabled
+  */
+PARAM_DEFINE_INT32(SENS_EN_ARSPDSIM, 0);