Getting Started Guide
Record of Revisions
| REVISION NUMBER | EFFECTIVE DATE |
|---|---|
| REVISION 1.0.0 | 08 JUN 2022 |
1- GETTING STARTED
We are pleased that you chose to join the ranks of Skygroup Virtual. We are trying to be the best virtual airline experience you ever had.
1.1 Profile
The first thing you want to do, is fill out your profile. In order to be able to use our virtual airline you need to hold an active SimBrief/Navigraph account. If you don’t have a Navigraph account yet, you can create one here: https://www.simbrief.com/home/?page=join Note: SimBrief is owned and distributed via Navigraph therefore you need the Navigraph account, but SimBrief is and will always remain completely free of charge. After you created your SimBrief account, you can close SimBrief and add your SimBrief username to your Skygroup Virtual profile. This step is very important, otherwise you won’t be able to dispatch a flight. Our flights are dispatched via SimBrief, but we have created own Aircraft profiles and customized the SimBrief calculation to suit our needs and be more precise. For example: We calculate the average passenger weight with consideration of different weights of males, females, and infants with different baggage weights on different flights (e.g., holiday flights)
1.2 Discord
We highly recommend joining our Skygroup Virtual Discord server.
At the Discord server you will be able to connect with fellow pilots, our staff and can enjoy different features.
Also, support is provided via the Discord server. To get support, create a #support-ticket. Note: Support is given by Skygroup Virtual, but as per our terms and conditions no member has a right for support. Skygroup Virtual is not obligated to resolve any issues that members may have while using the virtual airline.
1.3 ACARS
You need to download the ACARS Software provided by us
Skygroup-virtual.com/helpdesk/downloads
After you downloaded the zip-Archive extract the folder to any place you want and start the .exe. Please specify your root simulator folder if prompted and choose the install location of your choice. The installation should be completely automatically Note: Please use the ACARS with administrator rights.
Note: If you want to install the ACARS for more than one simulator, you need to start the installation again. (Will be changed in a later update) After the installation is completed, the following steps are necessary:
- Start ACARS.
- Click on the Settings Icon in the low left corner.
- At phpVMS URL enter: https://crew.skygroup-virtual.com
- Go to your Skygroup Virtual profile and search for “Show API-key”. Copy and enter the API Key at the “Your API Key” section of your ACARS settings.
- Choose your active simulator (change every time you want to use another simulator!)
- Click on “Re-Sync Scenery” (Re-Sync Scenery every time you install a new scenery into the simulator)
Note: ACARS needs to scan your installed sceneries to work correctly. For example: We check if your landing was within the touchdown zone and how far away from the centerline. Therefor ACARS needs to know the location of the runways. We are not able to see which scenery is installed, that is automatically scanned and processed by ACARS, and we cannot see any data.
Note: The first time you Re-Sync your Scenery give it some time – depending on your sceneries up to 15 minutes is completely normal, do not close ACARS during the syncing process and got get some coffee or tea while it’s doing its work.
- After everything is completed click the Save button in the low right corner
- Close ACARS via the X in the top right corner.
Note: You will start ACARS directly from your dispatching website when starting a flight.
Note: You also can download the ACARS config form your Skygroup Virtual profile and save it under “MyDocuments/phpVMS” and the correct phpVMS URL and your API Key should be filled in automatically.
Note: Do not share your API Key!
1.4 Ready for departure!
Everything is setup and you are able to book and fly your first flight.
20 AUG 2022