Introduction
kACARS is an application written specifically for VA systems running phpVMS. It monitors your flight and then allows you to submit the pirep automatically once your flight is done. kACARS provides some valuable information for the vPilot such as departure and arrival times plus the rate of descent at touchdown. This isn’t recorded at AmEuro but you should land with a descent rate of less than 500ft/min. 100ft or less is ideal and will give you a very smooth landing.
The nice thing about kACARS is that it doesn’t make any changes to FS. It just reads the data. Other systems will stop your AI Traffic or scroll messages on your screen while you are flying. kACARS is invisible and minds it’s own business.
Getting Started
First, download the kACARS v1.0.1.0 app from here and install it. Do not use the beta version it is not compatible with our site yet. It’s very easy to install. Once installed enter your information into the VA Profile box in the Options menu. The information required is:
Base URL: http://www.ameurova.com/phpvms
Pilot ID: Your PilotID at AmEuro
Password: Your password
Search by Flight#: Checked – very important
View Site Errors: Unchecked unless you are told by AmEuro Staff
Ignore P-Brake/Aiborne Check: Unchecked.
Under User settings select the VA Profile you created above and you will see the information below.
Test the connection by closing this window and clicking on the Log in button on the left. If you are successful you’ll see the message below on the left part of the app.
Taking Flight
When you have bidded on a flight at AmEuro type the flight number into the Flight Number box in the PIREP section and then click on the Get Flight Info Number button. Make sure your flight numbers and airports match your bid. Now you will see something like the picture below.
You are ready to start at this point but I will show you one more thing that will make it easier for you and the Operations Manager. Right now the aircraft selected for the flight is a generic aircraft category and not a specific aircraft in the fleet. On the bottom of kACARS there is a drop down box where you can select the specific aircraft you are going to use. Select the actual aircraft you are going to use and then click on Load. This will save the Operations Manager having to contact you to get the actual aircraft you used.
You may get a Connection Error pop up on the bottom right at this point. Ignore it for now.
The next step is to start up the Flight Simulator, if you haven’t already done so. Load the passengers indicted in kACARS into your aircraft. Load the fuel and then select Connect to FS. Just below the button you’ll see a message Connected to FS!
Now you click on the Start Flight button and you will see messages appear in the Flight Log box. These messages will continue to change until you have completed your flight.
Once your flight is complete click on the Stop Flight button and then the File PIREP button. Wait for 5 – 10 seconds and a message will appear that your PIREP has been Filed and you are done!
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