What is vmsACARS?
vmsACARS is the official flight tracking application for phpVMS-based virtual airlines. It runs on your computer alongside your flight simulator and automatically:
- Tracks your aircraft position, altitude, speed and heading in real-time
- Detects and logs key flight events (engine start, takeoff, landing, etc.)
- Transmits position data to the JetStream Virtual servers for live tracking
- Automatically files your PIREP when the flight is complete
System Requirements
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Operating System | Windows 10 or later (64-bit) |
| Simulator | Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020/2024, X-Plane 11/12, or Prepar3D v4/v5 |
| Internet | Active internet connection (low bandwidth — ~50KB/s during flight) |
| .NET Runtime | .NET 6.0 or later (installer will prompt if needed) |
Step 1: Download
- Log in to your JetStream Virtual account
- Navigate to Resources → Downloads in the main menu
- Download the latest version of vmsACARS for your operating system
- Alternatively, visit the vmsACARS releases page on GitHub
Step 2: Install
- Run the downloaded installer (
vmsACARS-Setup.exe) - Follow the installation wizard — the default installation path is usually fine
- If prompted by Windows Defender or your firewall, allow the application through — it needs network access to communicate with our servers
- Launch vmsACARS from your Start Menu or desktop shortcut
Step 3: Configure Connection
When you first launch vmsACARS, you’ll need to configure the connection to JetStream Virtual:
- Open Settings (gear icon in the top-right)
- In the Airline URL field, enter:
https://jetstreamvirtual.com - In the API Key field, paste the API key from your profile page
- Click Test Connection — you should see a green checkmark and your pilot name
- Click Save
If the test fails, check that:
- The URL is correct and includes
https:// - Your API key is copied correctly (no extra spaces)
- Your internet connection is working
- No firewall or VPN is blocking the connection
Step 4: Select Your Simulator
In the settings, select which flight simulator you use:
| Simulator | Connection Method | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| MSFS 2020/2024 | SimConnect (automatic) | MSFS must be running before starting a flight in vmsACARS |
| X-Plane 11/12 | XPUIPC or built-in UDP | May require the XPUIPC plugin installed in X-Plane |
| Prepar3D | FSUIPC / SimConnect | FSUIPC (free or registered) provides the most reliable connection |
Step 5: Starting a Flight
- Open vmsACARS and ensure it shows “Connected” to both the airline and your simulator
- Your booked/dispatched flight should appear automatically in the flight list
- Select the flight and click Start Flight
- vmsACARS will begin monitoring your simulator — you’ll see live data (altitude, speed, position) updating
- Fly your flight normally in the simulator
- When you shut down engines at your destination, vmsACARS will automatically file your PIREP
Troubleshooting
| Problem | Solution |
|---|---|
| vmsACARS can’t find the simulator | Ensure the simulator is fully loaded (at an airport, not the menu screen). Restart vmsACARS after launching the sim. |
| “No flights available” | You need to book and dispatch a flight on the website first. The flight must be assigned to you. |
| Position not updating | Check that the correct simulator type is selected in settings. For X-Plane, ensure the XPUIPC plugin is active. |
| PIREP not filing | Make sure you landed at (or very near) the correct destination airport. Large diversions may prevent auto-filing. |
| Connection drops mid-flight | vmsACARS will buffer position data and upload when reconnected. Brief internet outages are handled automatically. |
Best Practices
- Always start vmsACARS before releasing the parking brake
- Don’t close vmsACARS until after your engines are shut down and the PIREP is confirmed filed
- Keep vmsACARS updated — new versions fix bugs and add simulator compatibility
- If flying on VATSIM/IVAO, start vmsACARS before connecting to the network for accurate time tracking