FTG Quick Start Guide

The purpose of this document is to help new members get up to speed as quickly as
possible. Please review the Operations Manual for more detailed information about our
rules.
1) 1st flight in 15 days or lose your account. Thereafter at least one PIREP every 90
days. Cant meet the 90 day limit? Ask for LOA on forum to save your account.
2) Download FTG ACARS, the program we use to capture your flight information. You
need FSUIPC installed, google it if you dont have it. You can find the FTG ACARS at
the top of the page under Downloads.
3) Watch the tutorial videos for FTG ACARS under Flight Desk -> FTG - ACARS. When
flying ignore the Wrong Cruise Speed message, its a bug. Press C to clear
message.
4) Reset System Files FTG-ACARS. Start FTG-ACARS, click Next, then Reset System
Files. This updates all the airlines you can fly.
5) Before starting your flight FTG ACARS requires 4 things. Departure airport ICAO
code, Arrival Airport ICAO code, Aircraft (Only use FTG Aircraft codes!) & Flight
Number. For flight number use airline IATA codes. BA324, DL343, CX2921, LH1.
Good! No space between airline code and number BA 324 <- Bad. No zeros between
airline code and number. BA001 <- Bad! BA1 <- Good
6) Before starting FTG ACARS by clicking Connect to FS you need to be at the
gate/ramp with parking brakes on. Engines can be on or off, up to you.
7) Start FTG ACARS by clicking on Connect to FS before pushback.
8) FTG ACARS detects the flight starts when you release parking brakes + pushback
(Shift-P). Even if you use a prop that doesnt push back in real life just press shift-P
2x really quick so FTG ACARS detects the flight has started. If you use programs like
GSX or other built in pushbacks like PMDG pushback from FMC, FTG ACARS is pretty
good at detecting pushback.
9) When finished with the flight, set parking brakes and turn off engines. These two
actions is how FTG ACARS knows the flight is over.
10) Make sure you use valid cruise flight levels. Westbound even, eastbound odd. Any
other FL like north/south RVSM you must use the comments field.
11) Cruise speed must be in the allowable cruise speed range. Check Ops manual
appendix for allowable MACH speeds. This only applies for flights above FL280. For
props dont even worry about cruise MACH, not applicable.
12) Pushback must be -5/+30 from scheduled departure time. For example a schedule
departure time of 1400 we will only accept departure from 1355 thru 1430. If flying
online and you go over, use the comments field.
13) Use real world schedules, local times. You set the schedule local time in flight
simulator. It has nothing to do with your own personal real world times.
14) FTG ACARS does a lot more: LiveACARS, Passenger Announcements, messaging,
Google Mapping your flight, landing analysis, etc.
15) Have fun! If you have any questions, login to the forum with your website
account/password.