VirtualFly SOLO D4 FAA Approved Training Device User Manual

: June 10, 2024
: VirtualFly

Table of Contents

VirtualFly SOLO D4 FAA Approved Training Device User Manual
IN THE BOX
HARDWARE SETUP
SOFTWARE SETUP
START UP
ADDITIONAL HARDWARE OPTIONS
TROUBLESHOOTING
REMOTE SUPPORT
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
CUSTOMER SUPPORT
References
Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
Download This Manual (PDF format)

VirtualFly SOLO D4 FAA Approved Training Device User Manual

VirtualFly SOLO D4 FAA Approved Training Device

IN THE BOX

A) SOLO D4 panel (with incorporated COMPOSS)
B) Electrical power cable
C) Network cable (Ethernet)
D) USB-B to USB-B Cable
E) USB memory stick
F) SOLO D4 Quick Start Guide

It is important to save all parts you are not going to use in case you need them in the future.

HARDWARE SETUP

The SOLO D4 has been developed to be pluggable to any standard Windows computer.
The SOLO D4 contains 2 important modules which require cable connections, software installation and configuration:

SOLO D4 panel itself
COMPOSS “The Compass”
VF-G1000 “Glass Cockpit”

CONNECTING TO PC

After placing the panel on the surface it will rest, you must connect all the modules to the computer running the flight simulation software.

To do so, you have two options

OPTION A: LAN network connection (recommended)
OPTION B: Direct connection

The power switch must be in “OFF” position before starting.

You must connect the power cable (B) last.

OPTION A: LAN Network Connection (Recommended)

An extra Ethernet cable (not included) is required to connect the internet router and PC.

Connect the cables between the back of the panel, router and PC exactly as indicated in the diagram below.
This option enables the SOLO D4 panel to have an internet connection, which is required if you schedule a remote connection with Virtual Fly technicians.
Hardware Setup

If you do not have the Pedestal add-on mentioned in Section 5, you can use the USB port labeled as “Pedestal” in the picture above as a secondary auxiliary USB port.

OPTION B: Direct Connection

Connect the cables between the modules and PC as indicated in the diagram below.
Hardware Setup

If your main PC is connected to a WIFI internet source, the connection between the panel and PCcan be unstable.

SOFTWARE SETUP

To interact with your PC, the SOLO D4 requires installing some additional software.
The SOLO D4 is compatible with Prepar3D.
To set up the SOLO D4 with Prepar3D, you will need to install VF Connect, the software developed by Virtual Fly to enable interaction between our flight panels and PCs, and FSUIPC.

You can download these from the following links:

VF Connect: https://downloads.virtual-fly.com/software/vfconnect/latest/vfconnect.exe
FSUIPC: http://www.fsuipc.com/
G1000 Module: Included in USB memory stick (E).

If you already have FSUIPC installed, skip this step.
During the installation, a registration window will appear, which you must ignore by selecting “Not Now”.
Restart Prepar3D after the install is complete.

To set up the COMPOSS, follow the “SOFTWARE SETUP” section from the COMPOSS’ User’s manual:
https://downloads.virtual- fly.com/docs/composs/latest/composs_user’s_manual.pdf

If you have purchased the Pedestal add-on, you must also check out the “SOFTWARE SETUP” of the TQ3 User’s manual: https://downloads.virtual- fly.com/docs/tq3+/latest/tq3_tq3+_user’s_manual.pdf

DA-40 F1Tech AIRCRAFT INSTALLATION
The SOLO D4 is only compatible with the Diamond DA-40 from F1Tech. Download the required aircraft folder from the provided USB memory stick (E).
You must install this aircraft into the PC running Prepar3D following these instructions:

Make sure Prepar3D is closed when doing the following procedure.

Locate the Prepar3D installation root folder.
By default, this is at: C:\Program Files\Lockheed Martin\Prepar3D v4
Enter the “Sim Objects” folder and then the “Airplanes” folder.
Place the provided DA40 Aircraft folder inside the “Airplanes” folder.

G1000 MODULE INSTALLATION
The SOLO D4 requires installing additional software to connect with the G1000 screens.
From the provided USB memory stick, open the “G1000 Student” folder.
Inside this folder, select the “Network Module” folder and run the “Module installer.exe” program displayed below.
Software Setup

Once the program runs, the following screen below will show up.

Here, you must enter the Prepar3D installation folder path in your computer in the correct location (depending on your Prepar3D version installed) and press “Install Slight Simulator Module(s)”.
For example, if you have Prepar3DV4, the program would look like the image below.
Software Setup

Your Prepar3D installation path might vary depending on where you installed Prepar3D, but by default, the installation path is the one depicted above.

Software Setup

START UP

ACTIVATING PROCEDURES

Make sure the BAT switch on the SOLO D4 panel is deactivated.
On the PC with Prepar3D installed, run Prepar3D and load your scenario with one of the 3 aircraft installed in Section 3.
On the PC running Prepar3D, execute “VFConnect.exe” and “VF Hub”.
Do not execute “VFConnect.exe” before Prepar3D is completely loaded.
Activate the Power switch (a) indicated below to power the SOLO D4.
Press the push button (b) to activate the operating system of the panel.

The SOLO D4 must not be disconnected while the programs are loading.
Doing so might cause problems with booting in the future.
Wait about 60 seconds until you see the G1000 and analogue gauges in the SOLO D4 as shown below.

If you have Windows Firewall activated, a warning permission to communicate with the network will a b appear.
You must select “Allow Access

The VF Connect software window will look like (a) below if it is not yet connected, and like (b) if a connection has been established successfully between computer and SOLO D4.
The upper box indicates the connection status of the simulation software, and the lower box displays the connection status between the SOLO D4 and the computer

(a) The plugin is searching for P3D and SOLO D4.
(b) The plugin is connected to P3D and SOLO D4.

DEACTIVATING PROCEDURES

Press the push button (b) at the back of te SOLO D4 to stop the “Windows” operating system of the panel.
Wait until everything is stopped before switching off the SOLO D4’s power switch (a).

ADDITIONAL HARDWARE OPTIONS

The SOLO D4 has two main add-ons which enhance its functionality by incorporating a control joystick and pedestal based on the DA-40 aircraft.

The add-ons add the following functionalities:

JOYSTICK

Allows elevator and aileron control of the aircraft.
UP/DN Trim, AP disengage, PTT, CWS capability

PEDESTAL

The pedestal incorporates:

Throttle Quadrant with throttle, propeller and mixture levers)
Parking brake lever
Fuel selector
Pitch trim wheel
Alternate Air Selector
Cabin Heat lever (decorative)
Defrost Floor lever (decorative)

The panel with the add-ons has the following layout:

Hardware Options

To incorporate the joystick and pedestal add-ons, the SOLO D4 panel requires our Flight Deck Structure.
This flight deck includes an aeronautical adjustable seat and enables securing the panel, pedestal and joystick into it.
The flight deck also has the option to support up to five 32″ monitors and our RUDDO pedals can also be attached to it.
Altogether, the setup looks If you need further information on the characteristics and
pricing of the joystick, pedestal, flight deck or flight deck optional, contact us at info@virtual-fly.com.
For information regarding our RUDDO pedals, check out its User’s manual through the following link:
https://downloads.virtual- fly.com/docs/ruddo+/latest/ruddo_ruddo+_user’s_manual.pdf

TROUBLESHOOTING

Anomaly	Possible Cause	Solution
Prepar3D does not connect to the panel.	Network cable
nº 3 is not connected.	Check connection of network cable nº 3 between SOLO

D4nd Prepar3D computer.
Prepar3D is not running.| Execute Prepar3D
FSUIPC is not installed (Prepar3D).| Install FSUIPC. See Chapter 2.
“VFConnect3.exe” is not executed.| Execute “VFConnect3-Xplane.exe” on the Prepar3D computer.
“VFConnect3.exe” started incorrectly.| Only one of “VF Connect” can be executed at the same time, be sure that you are executed the version that corresponds on your simulation software. “VF Connect” will only work with MFS/P3D and VF Connect-X plane will only work with X-Plane.
Windows firewall does not allow communication with the SOLO D4.| You will have to add an exception manually to allow
communication.
For that, follow the steps below:

Press combo key Windows + R.
Write “fire wall. cpl” on the window that has appeared.

Prepar3D does not connect to the panel.| PC has more than one network card.|

If you are trying to use one network card to connect to your router and another one to connect directly to SOLO D4nd it does not work, try connecting SOLO directly to your router instead of connect to the pc. This way, connection will be established through the network LAN.
If you have connected SOLO directly to your PC and your PC has the other network sockets free, try connecting SOLO to the PC using another network card.

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Network problems.| If you have connected your PC and SOLO directly (without router), at the beginning you will have to wait some time, even more than a minute, because Windows set IP addresses automatically.
Network Discovery disabled.| Check that in your current network profile (Public / Home or Work ) Network discovery option is turned on. For that, go to: “Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Network and Sharing Center\Advanced sharing settings” and turn Discovery Network option on for all profiles available.
Antivirus software is blocking the connection.| Each Antivirus software has their own options and menus. To see if the problem comes from the antivirus, you can deactiva- te it completely just for the test. If the connection is stablished with the antivirus deactivated you should look for an option that allows any connection for VFConnect3.exe.
Connection goes down, is intermittent or indictors move sharply.| Connection trough WIFI.| If you are using a PC which is connected to your network by Wifi, even SOLO is connected by cable, it is possible that due to interference, noi- se or other electromagnetic signal, connection will not be constant. It is so recommendable using always a network cable to connect SOLO to the router and your PC to the router also, or alternatively a direct cable between your PC and SOLO to enjoy completely of your SOLO.
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Your MFS / P3D / X-Plane PC is executing another program on the background that uses all the bandwidth of the network card.| To guarantee the best perform of the connection, it is recommendable during the session, to close programs which make an intensive use of the network connection or computer processor.
I don’t know how to connect the flight director.| | Push on the rotary “A.I. PUSH F/D” located above left of the panel.

REMOTE SUPPORT

In case you need help from Virtual Fly’s technical team, there is the possibility to schedule a remote connection to your flight simulator computer and SOLO D4.

For that, you should:

Ensure your flight simulator computer and SOLO D4are connected to the internet.
For this, you should have a LAN Network connection as described in Section 2.1 “CONNECTING TO PC”
Download and run the following software for your PC running the flight simulation software:
https://downloads.virtual- fly.com/software/VirtualFly_Remote_Support_Tool.exe
**Take note of the code that appears in your PC screen, as displayed below:

**

Turn on your SOLO D4 and turn the BAT and AVIONCS switch off.
Turn the HORIZON EMERGENCY switch from OFF to ON.
Wait until the Any desk software loads and take note of the ID code that appears on the G1000 screen.
Contact Virtual Fly’s technical support team at support@ virtual-fly.com to:
- Schedule a remote session.
- Provide them with the Any desk ID codes from your PC and SOLO D4.