BVA's Getting Started Guide: Start Flying! >> Setting up your Aircraft

Start Flying Navigation>> Get Ready | Before Start Checklist | Setting up your Aircraft | Connecting to the Network | Filing a Flight Plan | Who do I Talk To?

In order to connect to our network, start in "Free Flight". Once your aircraft is spawned and you are parked at a gate, use vPilot to connect.

Open FSX, and click on the "Free Flight" tab:

Select the desired aircraft. Always start with an aircraft you are familiar with and know how to control.

The callsign and tail number settings in FSX do not control how you appear on the network, so you can set them however you choose. There is no requirement to set up a callsign or flight number in FSX.

Next, select your desired location. You can start at any airport, but ensure you do not connect while on a runway. If you are flying an airliner, it's common to choose a "Gate" from the list of parking spots. If you are flying a general aviation aircraft, pick a spot that says "Parking".

Finally, select the weather and time of day. While we recommend using real-world weather and the current local time, the choice is yours. Please note that if you use a weather add-on like ActiveSky, that add-on will override any of FSX's weather settings.

When ready, click on the "FLY NOW!" button.

Once you load in, confirm that you are parked at a gate or parking spot, and not on a runway. If necessary, you can move your aircraft by clicking "World" > "Go to Airport", and selecting a different location.