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Windows Installation

This guide explains how to install dotACARS Free on a pilot's Windows PC and complete the first connection.

Before installing​

You need:

  • Windows PC;
  • dotACARS Free installer: dotACARS_FREE.exe;
  • access to a Virtual Airline that has the dotACARS server endpoints installed;
  • your Pilot ID or e-mail;
  • your VA account password;
  • Microsoft Flight Simulator, a simulator supported through FSUIPC, or X-Plane with the bridge installed.

The Free app is built as a 64-bit Windows application targeting .NET Framework 4.8.

Install dotACARS Free​

  1. Download dotACARS_FREE.exe from the official dotACARS Free download link.
  2. Run the installer.
  3. Approve the Windows administrator prompt if it appears.
  4. Keep the default installation folder unless you have a reason to change it.

Default installation folder:

C:\Program Files\dotACARS Free
  1. Choose whether to create a desktop shortcut.
  2. Finish the installer.
  3. Launch dotACARS Free.

:::tip Browser download warning If your browser warns about the installer because it is a direct .exe download, confirm that the file came from the official dotACARS download URL before running it. :::

First login​

  1. Open dotACARS Free.
  2. In Virtual Airline URL, enter the crew center URL provided by your VA.

Example:

https://crew.exampleva.com
  1. In Pilot ID / Email, enter your VA login identifier.
  2. In Password, enter your VA password.
  3. Click Check Connection.
  4. If the connection is OK, click Login.

If you press Enter while typing the password, dotACARS Free also attempts to login.

Select simulator source​

After login, use the Source button in the footer to choose how dotACARS Free should connect to the simulator.

Available options:

SourceUse for
AutodotACARS tries SimConnect, then FSUIPC, then X-Plane Bridge.
SimConnectMicrosoft Flight Simulator through SimConnect.
FSUIPCSimulators connected through FSUIPC.
X-PlaneX-Plane through the dotACARS Bridge plugin.

The selected source is stored in the Free profile and reused on the next login.

Import and track a flight​

  1. Create or reserve a bid in your Virtual Airline crew center.
  2. Open dotACARS Free and login.
  3. Click Import Bid.
  4. Start the simulator and load the correct aircraft at the departure airport.
  5. Wait until the simulator source shows as connected.
  6. Click Start Flight.
  7. Complete the flight normally.
  8. After landing and finishing the flight, click End Flight.
  9. Review that the flight is ready to send.
  10. Click Send Flight.

Local profile storage​

dotACARS Free stores profiles here:

%APPDATA%\dotACARS Free\profiles.xml

Saved passwords are protected using Windows DPAPI for the current Windows user. They are not stored as plain text.

Update check​

Use Check for Updates inside the app. The Free app checks the official Free update metadata and downloads the stable installer when a newer version is available.