Before Your First Flight With Delta ACARS

Check before you record

Delta ACARS is in early beta, so use this checklist before relying on it for a flight.

1. Use an official, current beta build supplied or linked by Delta Virtual.
2. Launch your compatible simulator on your Windows PC.
3. Open Delta ACARS and sign in or connect your Delta Virtual account, if the current build requests it.
4. Confirm that the software sees the simulator and aircraft.
5. Select or import a flight where supported by the current build. Double-check departure, destination, and aircraft.
6. Use the build's flight-arm/start controls and confirm that flight recording has begun before departure.
7. Keep an eye on connection and recording status during the flight.
8. After landing, follow the app's end-flight and report-submission workflow, then verify the PIREP in the Crew Center.

If the flight never starts

Make sure an aircraft is selected and the simulator connection is active. Some beta builds require a valid aircraft selection before a flight can be armed.

Save evidence if anything goes wrong

Keep screenshots, flight IDs, timestamps, and diagnostic logs. The official SOP allows review of legitimate flights affected by software failures.

Beta note: Screen labels and feature availability may differ between releases. Use the instructions for your particular build if they differ from this general checklist.

Policy reference: Delta Virtual SOP v4.0, sections 7.2-7.3 and 9.3-9.5.