> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.canadava.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Using Pegasus ACARS

> Set up and use Pegasus ACARS to track flights, log events, and submit reports automatically for vACA virtual airline operations.

export const Checklist = ({title, items, icon}) => {
  const [checked, setChecked] = useState(Object.fromEntries(items.map((_, i) => [i, false])));
  const toggle = i => setChecked(prev => ({
    ...prev,
    [i]: !prev[i]
  }));
  const done = Object.values(checked).filter(Boolean).length;
  return <div className="kb-checklist">
      <div className="kb-checklist-header">
        <div className="kb-checklist-title">
          {icon && <span className="kb-checklist-icon">{icon}</span>}
          <span>{title}</span>
        </div>
        <span className="kb-checklist-count">{done}/{items.length}</span>
      </div>
      <div className="kb-checklist-items">
        {items.map((item, i) => <button key={i} className={`kb-checklist-item ${checked[i] ? 'checked' : ''}`} onClick={() => toggle(i)}>
            <span className="kb-check-box">
              {checked[i] && <span className="kb-check-mark">✓</span>}
            </span>
            <span className="kb-check-label">{item}</span>
          </button>)}
      </div>
    </div>;
};

<img className="block dark:hidden" src="https://mintcdn.com/virtualaircanada/XW0ND9ztGm1uFOMi/images/operations/acars-light.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=XW0ND9ztGm1uFOMi&q=85&s=7581e167e2cb527443c77778da6bc23a" alt="vACA Hero Light" width="2064" height="1104" data-path="images/operations/acars-light.png" />

<img className="hidden dark:block" src="https://mintcdn.com/virtualaircanada/XW0ND9ztGm1uFOMi/images/operations/acars-dark.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=XW0ND9ztGm1uFOMi&q=85&s=86ff54053de703513a513281066ecd73" alt="vACA Hero Dark" width="2064" height="1104" data-path="images/operations/acars-dark.png" />

## What is Pegasus ACARS?

<Tooltip tip="Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System" cta="See glossary" href="/aops/additional-resources/glossary/acars">ACARS</Tooltip> is a digital datalink system for the transmission of messages between aircraft and ground stations. In the virtual airline world, ACARS software tracks your flight, records data, and submits your flight reports automatically.

<Note>
  Pegasus ACARS is essential for all vACA flights. Flights not tracked with ACARS will not count toward your flight hours or rank progression.
</Note>

## Download Pegasus ACARS

Pegasus ACARS is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux.

<div className="acars-download-widget">
  <input type="checkbox" id="acars-guide-modal" className="acars-modal-toggle" />

  <label htmlFor="acars-guide-modal" className="acars-modal-trigger">Download ACARS</label>

  <div className="acars-modal-overlay">
    <div className="acars-modal-content">
      <label htmlFor="acars-guide-modal" className="acars-modal-close">×</label>
      <h3>Download ACARS</h3>
      <p>Track your flights and submit PIREPs.</p>

      <div className="acars-download-buttons">
        <a href="https://vamsys-pegasus.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/vAMSYS-Pegasus-win-x64-stable-Setup.exe" className="acars-download-btn acars-download-btn-primary" download>
          Windows
        </a>

        <a href="https://vamsys-pegasus.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/vAMSYS-Pegasus-osx-arm64-stable-Setup.pkg" className="acars-download-btn acars-download-btn-secondary" download>
          macOS (Apple Silicon, arm64)
        </a>

        <a href="https://vamsys-pegasus.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/vAMSYS-Pegasus-osx-x64-stable-Setup.pkg" className="acars-download-btn acars-download-btn-secondary" download>
          macOS (Intel, x64)
        </a>

        <a href="https://vamsys-pegasus.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/vAMSYS-Pegasus-linux-x64-stable.AppImage" className="acars-download-btn acars-download-btn-secondary" download>
          Linux (x64)
        </a>
      </div>
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

## Using Pegasus ACARS for Flights

### Pre-Flight

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion icon="book" title="Load your flight plan">
    1. In Pegasus ACARS, go to the "Flights" tab
    2. Select your booked flight from the list
    3. Click "Load Flight Plan"
    4. The flight details will populate automatically
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion icon="list-check" title="Pre-flight checklist">
    Before starting your flight tracking:

    1. Ensure your simulator is running and connected
    2. Verify aircraft type matches your booked flight
    3. Confirm departure/arrival airports are correct
    4. Check that weather settings match VATSIM/IVAO (if applicable)

    <Warning>
      Do not start recording your flight before your simulator is fully loaded. Wait for it to finish loading completely and only then start recording. Otherwise, your start location might be recorded over null island.
    </Warning>
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Checklist
  title="Pre-Flight ACARS Checklist"
  items={[
"Flight plan loaded in Pegasus ACARS",
"Simulator running and connected",
"Aircraft type matches booked flight",
"Departure and arrival airports verified",
"Flight recording started after sim fully loaded"
]}
/>

### During Flight

Flight tracking happens automatically once you start the tracking process:

1. Click "Start Flight" in Pegasus ACARS
2. The software will detect your position, altitude, speed, and other parameters
3. Key flight events will be logged automatically:
   * Engine start
   * Pushback
   * Takeoff
   * Cruise
   * Descent
   * Landing
   * Engine shutdown

<Warning>
  If Pegasus ACARS loses connection to your simulator during flight, reconnect as soon as possible. Brief disconnections won't affect your flight report, but prolonged disconnections may result in an incomplete flight.
</Warning>

<Warning>
  Do not rewind or replay your flight while Pegasus is running and recording your flight. These functions are not video replays and will negatively affect your <Tooltip tip="Pilot Report" cta="See glossary" href="/aops/additional-resources/glossary/pirep">PIREP</Tooltip> by recording your flight path and/or landing multiple times. Submit your PIREP prior to reviewing your flight.
</Warning>

### Post-Flight

After landing and shutting down your aircraft:

1. Pegasus ACARS will prompt you to complete your flight
2. Review the flight summary and add any comments
3. Click "Submit Flight Report"
4. Your flight data will be sent to the vACA database

## Additional Requirements

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Windows">
    * Windows users must install the correct version of FSUIPC for their Simulator
    * Pegasus does not encroach on permissions and is happy to run in regular mode
    * If you decide to run your Simulator as Admin, you need to launch Pegasus as Admin too
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="macOS">
    * No additional requirements
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

## Troubleshooting Common Issues

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Simulator Not Detected">
    **Solution**: Ensure your simulator is running before opening ACARS. If still not working, try reinstalling the simulator connection module.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Connection Drops Mid-Flight">
    **Solution**: Check your internet connection. ACARS can store data locally for up to 20 minutes of disconnection before requiring reconnection.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Flight Not Showing in Booked Flights">
    **Solution**: Refresh your flight list. If the flight still doesn't appear, check that your booking was confirmed in the Pilot Hub.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Error Submitting Flight Report">
    **Solution**: Try submitting again. If issues persist, save the flight report locally and contact technical support with the log files.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Advanced Features

* **Custom Flight Planning**: Create and import custom flight plans
* **Voice Reporting**: Enable voice announcements for flight events
* **Performance Analysis**: Review detailed performance metrics after each flight
* **Logbook Integration**: Automatically update your virtual logbook

## Need Help?

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Discord Community" icon="discord" href="https://links.canadava.com/kgNgqfb" cta="Join Discord" arrow={true}>
    Get answers to your questions in our active Discord community
  </Card>

  <Card title="Email Support" icon="envelope" href="mailto:support@canadava.com" cta="Contact Us" arrow={true}>
    Contact our support team for personalized assistance
  </Card>
</CardGroup>
