AIR LOGISTICS
VAFS5 ACARS Client Install and General Use Manual
Version 1.0
11/2/2015
The purpose of this document is to serve as a guide for the installation and general use of the VAFS5 ACARS or Flight Tracking Client used by Air Logistics.
STEPS FOR USING VAFS5 FLIGHT SIM TRACKING SYSTEM
Special “Thank You” to Russ, ALOG2 for providing much of the content for this how-to documentation.
VAFS5 Install Steps
The install and initial setup of VAFS5 is fairly simple with just three steps:
1. Download the VAFS5 Pilot Client here
2. Run the VAFS5Setup.exe from the location you downloaded this file to. (As Administrator if using Windows 7 or Vista)
3. Follow the on screen instructions until the installation finishes.
Important!! You must go into the install directory (e.g. C:\Program Files\VAFS5) and right-
click on the VAFS5.exe file. Select Properties, Select the Compatibility Tab and
Make sure the checkbox next to “Always Run this Program as Administrator” is Checked.
Failure to follow these exact steps may prevent VAFS5 from working correctly on
your system.
Running VAFS5 from a network computer.
Running VAFS5 from a networked computer is possible and fairly easy once you have WideFS installed and configured correctly. If you are going to run VAFS5
from a networked PC, make sure you select WideFS as the simulator type in VAFS5. This setting is located under the VAFS Options tab.
VAFS5 Normal Use Procedures
The following steps should provide a general overview for how the VAFS5 Flight Tracking System works. We have tested VAFS5 with FSX (boxed), P3D v2.5 and
P3D v3.0.
1. Click on the VAFS5 desktop icon to open the program
2. On the log in screen (see image below) enter your user name and password.
3. After logging in to VAFS you will see the following screen. On this screen it shows information about you, your pilot rank, call sign, etc. on the left side and a
news bulletins from our VA on the right.
4. When you are ready to start your flight, click on the “Start New Flight”
button in the upper right corner of the screen. (see next image)
5. After clicking on the Start New Flight button you will be presented with this
next screen that allows you to choose the flight you want to make from the list of flights presented. The first flight here has been highlighted in yellow for example
purposes only.
6. To select the route you want to fly simply click on the particular flight line item
and it will be highlighted in blue as shown on the next screen. Note on the right
side of the screen information about the flight is given. Also on this screen, when you are ready, you will click on the button in the lower right corner “Continue
With Selected Route.”
7. After selecting your flight and clicking on the “continue with selected route”
you will have the opportunity to select your cargo items. Each aircraft type has a max payload which it can hold. This is indicated in the Max Payload section. To
the right of that value you’ll see Current Payload.
From the list of available cargo types, browse and select the cargo items which
will generate the highest revenue for Air Logistics. You can select as many different line items as you desire, just don’t exceed the max payload weight.
Fragile cargo items may not always provide the highest revenue. But if you
choose to transport fragile items you must adhere to the following conditions:
You must keep your band angle below 31 degrees You must keep your pitch below 20 degrees
You must have a landing rate less than 300 FPM
If any of these items are violated, your cargo will be severely damaged and may result in loss revenue.
Once you have selected your cargo items, click the “Select Cargo and Go to
Preflight” button.
8. You are now in the “preflight” screen. (see image below) Notice the tabs across the top shown by the red arrows – Cargo and PAX, Airport Weather Information,
etc. These tabs offer valuable information for your flight such as the tab Airports and Navigation. Alternatively, you may use any other source of information such
as PFPX to obtain this information.
9. This screen shows the Airports and Navigation tab displayed. Notice it shows
information about your departure airport as well as your arrival airport. Note the
runways, headings, and frequencies for ILS approaches at your selected airport. SUGGESTION: copy these runways, etc and have ready for your approach when
coming into your arrival airport.
10. After copying your ILS frequencies, etc. go back to the pre-flight screen by
clicking on the pre-flight tab. IMPORTANT: keep this screen open as you prepare to open FSX. Notice the grayed out button that says “Start This Flight” in the
lower right corner. You will come back to that button AFTER you've started FSX and filled in all the flight windows.
11. Start FSX/P3D – select aircraft, weather, etc as you normally do. Once
FSX/P3D has started and you are parked at a gate or cargo ramp check the
following:
a) Parking Brakes Set b) APU On or Ground Power Connected
c) Engines Off d) Fuel Loaded
e) Payload (Cargo/Passengers Loaded)
12. After you've verified the above conditions: return to VAFS5 and click START THIS FLIGHT
13. After you click on the Start This Flight button you will see this next screen.
It tells you that VAFS is now running and waiting for you to start the engines.
14. Return to the FSX/P3D session and resume your normal checklist flow
including pushback, engine start etc. Taxi to the active runway, depart and navigate to your destination.
Upon safe arrival at your destination, taxi to gate and follow your normal
shutdown checklist procedure. After engine shutdown, return to the VAFS5 screen and file your Pilot Report or PIREP.
It really is that simple. I hope you enjoy flying Air Logistics. If you experience issues or have questions related to the VAFS5 client, please visit the Air Logistics
Forum.
