This document serves as a guide for using the smartCARS 3 tracking software on SW Group Virtual.
Verze v češtině dostupná zde. Czech version available here.
Information on this website is used exclusively for virtual flying with the use of a flight simulation software. Do not use for real aviation in any way.
You can download smartCARS 3 from our crew center, or from the TFDi Design website.
1. Logging into your TFDi Design account (not required)
After installing smartCARS 3, you will be prompted to log in to your TFDi Design Account. This is not your profile on the virtual airline, but your TFDi account.
Below the Login button is a "Skip TFDi Design Login" button that you can use. Using your TFDi Design Account is not necessary.
2. Selecting a Community
After logging in to your TFDi Design account, or skipping this step, the program will ask you if you want to use smartCARS 3 for flying on your own, or with a community.
Select "With a community". Type "SW Group Virtual" in the search box and click on the appropriate field.
3. Logging into your SW Group Virtual account
After selecting the community, smartCARS will prompt you to log in to the selected community. Here, you log in to your pilot account on your virtual airline.
Log in to your account using the email and password used during registration. If you don't remember your password, you can change it in your Crew Center account settings, on crew center login.
We recommend clicking the Create Desktop Shortcut button, this will create a shortcut on your desktop that will directly open the SW Group Virtual community.
4. Settings customisation, plugins
Once you have logged into the community, you will be able to access your booked flights in the Flight Center tab. Flight booking is done in the crew center.
To download optional plugins, open the Plugins tab, select Browse Plugins in the top right corner, and install the desired plugins. You can then (after restarting smartCARS) link smartCARS 3 to your SimBrief account by entering your SimBrief username in the settings.
It is recommended to disable "Automatic PIREP submission" in the smartCARS settings (gear icon on the bottom left), therafter confirm the choice with the "Save" button on the top right. If automatic submission is on, there is a risk of automatic PIREP submission in case of an aircraft crash (but if this happens, we can delete the flight at the pilot's request).
5. Flight tracking
Book your flight, start the flight simulator, and when you are ready (i.e. before the first aircraft movement or during passenger boarding), launch smartCARS 3. Flight tracking should start automatically within several seconds.
Our soundpacks and the soundpack guide can be found in the download section of our crew center, in the category "smartCARS 3 Soundpacks".
I can't find my virtual airline in the "communities" selection.
Search for "SW Group Virtual" community, use the search box.
How do I start flight logging?
Flight tracking starts automatically when you turn on smartCARS, as long as you have a flight booked and the simulator is running. It should start within 10 seconds.
smartCARS reports a "Start Rejected" error.
This error is likely caused by being logged into your TFDi account.
When attempting to start a flight (or any other action), smartCARS will display an error.
Make sure you are using the current version of smartCARS. TFDi Design recommends deleting and reinstalling smartCARS if problems occur.
I am using MSFS/P3D/FSX, and I am getting a simulator connection error.
In the smartCARS settings (bottom left "Settings" button), "Flight Tracking Settings" section, make sure the "Tracking provider" option is set to "simconnect" (and confirm with the "Save" button on the top right).
I am using X-Plane, and I am getting a simulator connection error.
smartCARS 3 can communicate with X-Plane by itself, without using any other software.
In the smartCARS settings (bottom left "Settings" button), "Flight Tracking Settings" section, make sure the "Tracking provider" option is set to "xplane" (and confirm with the "Save" button on the top right).
When I try to start the flight, I get the error "Incorrect simulator scenario" and "plane is moving".
Aircraft must be stationary and on the ground when starting the flight. Verify that the pushback truck is NOT connected to your aircraft..
How do I view the Flight Log?
The Flight Log is hidden by default. You can view it in smartCARS 3 in the Flight Tracking page (compass icon), there is an arrow on the left edge of the map window to open the log.
**How do I select the network I am flying on (VATSIM, IVAO, etc.)?
Open the Flight Log (in the Flight Tracking section, there is an arrow on the left edge of the map window). At the bottom of the Flight Log window, open the drop-down menu and select the network you are flying on.
**How do I write a flight comment (pilot's note)?
Open the Flight Log (in the Flight Tracking section, there is an arrow on the left edge of the map window). Type a comment in the "Add a comment to the flight log" box and confirm it with the Enter key or the Comment button. The comment will be written to the Flight Log.
I can't see myself and/or anyone else on the online map in smartCARS.
You need to be logged into your TFDi Design account in smartCARS for the map to work.
Can I use the trash can icon button in the Flight Center tab to cancel a booking?
Flight booking cancellation is not possible in this way. Use the Cancel booking button in the crew center on our website instead.
I am using Microsoft Flight Simulator. After using the "Pause at Top of Descent" smartCARS feautre, I am unable to unpause the simulator.
Go to Microsoft Flight Simulator options, enable Developer Mode. A drop-down menu will appear at the top of the screen - go into the "Options" tab and click "Resume Simulation |>".
The flight was submitted without my knowledge immediately after stopping and shutting down the engines.
By default, smartCARS files the flight automatically. To change this, turn off the "Automatic PIREP submission" option in the smartCARS settings (and confirm with the "Save" button on the top right). It is recommended to disable automatic sending, otherwise there is a risk of automatic PIREP submission in case of an aircraft crash (but if this happens, we can delete the flight at the pilot's request).