BVA's Getting Started Guide: First-Time Setup

First-Time Setup Navigation >> First Steps | Simulator Setup | Pilot Client | Configuring vPilot

If you run MSFS in full screen mode, you may wish to run vPilot on a second, networked computer. This allows you to interact with vPilot without having to change screens on your flying computer. Click here for more information on running vPilot on a remote computer.

Once vPilot is installed, run it. There are a few initial settings to configure in vPilot before connecting to the network for the first time.

Click "Settings":

In the "Settings" dialog, on the "Network" tab, enter your personal VATSIM credentials, including your CID, password, name, and home airport. Select a server of your choice; all servers are connected. Most people select the server that is closest to where they live. If you are experiencing connection trouble, try a different server.

We encourage pilots to select their desired options on the "Notifications" tab. For more information on these settings, visit vPilot's Documentation.

Next, click the "Audio" tab.

On this tab:

1. Select the "Microphone Device" (this is the microphone you will use to talk to ATC).
2. Select your "Output Device" (this is the device you wish to hear ATC through).
3. Leave "Disable realistic ATC effects" unchecked.
4. Set your "Mic Volume" slider so that the bar bounces into the green band as you speak in a normal voice.
5. Click "Apply".

Once you have completed the settings above, the window should look like this:

Next, click the Push-To-Talk (PTT) tab to set a button or joystick/yoke key that can be used to talk to ATC. To do so, click the "Set new PTT Key or Button" button, then activate the key or button you wish to use as a PTT. You can set a keyboard key, or use a joystick/yoke command button.

Please note that if you run MSFS or other programs 'as administrator', and you are using a keyboard PTT key, you should also run vPilot 'as administrator'. Otherwise, the PTT keystrokes may not be read by vPilot.

Currently, there is no realistic model matching available for MSFS. BVA has created Fly AI (FLAi), all-encompassing freeware model matching package that is compatible with FSX and Prepar3D. However, it's unclear whether MSFS supports the addition of custom models at this time. For the time being, there are no adjustments that can/should be made to the "Model Matching" settings in vPilot for MSFS. However, should this situation change in the future, an update will be provided to this guide.

This free add-on enables you to see other aircraft on VATSIM as they were intended, instead of seeing them all as default aircraft. Because of large file sizes, the package will take a few minutes to download and install. However, it is easy to install, and will dramatically improve your on-network experience.

If you wish to skip the installation, you will still be able to connect and participate with ATC.