Aircatglobal Virtual Fly SOLO GA User manual

© 2022 Virtual Fly, SL
All trademarks and brand names are
trademarks or registered trademarks of their
respective owners. All rights reserved.
C. Maria Aurèlia Capmany, 21
P.I. La Fàbrica – 08297 Castellgalí (Spain)
Phone: [phone]
https://www.virtual-fly.com
For support, contact us at
support@virtual-fly.com
SOLO GA
USER’S MANUAL
Rev. 2.0 - May 2022

SOLO GA | User’s manual
2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. IN THE BOX..........................................................................3
2. HARDWARE SETUP.............................................................4
. CONNECTING TO PC.............................................
. ADJUSTING MAGNETIC LABELS ACCORDING
TO AIRCRAFT TYPE.......................................................
3. SOFTWARE SETUP..............................................................6
4. START UP.............................................................................7
. ACTIVATING PROCEDURES.................................
. DEACTIVATING PROCEDURES............................
5. SELECTION OF PANEL TYPE (ACCORDING TO
AIRCRAFT)................................................................................9
6. ENGINE STARTING PROCEDURES.................................11
. START & STOP FOR PISTON ENGINES............
. START & STOP FOR TURBOPROP ENGINES.
7. RADIOSTACK.....................................................................15
. AUDIO PANEL AND MARKERS..........................
. AUTOPILOT (AP) 'KFC  like'.........................
. COMMUNICATIONS AND NAVIGATION.........
. DISTANCE METERING EQUIMENT (DME).......
. AUTOMATIC DIRECTION FINDER (ADF).........
. TRANSPONDER XPDR........................................
8. TROUBLESHOOTING.......................................................23
9. REMOTE ASSISTANCE.....................................................26
10. TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS.....................................27
11. AIRCRAFT COMPATIBILITY...........................................28

SOLO GA | User’s manual 3
1. IN THE BOX
A) SOLO GA panel
B) Power strip
C) Network cable (Ethernet)
D) Magnetic labels
E) Quick Start Guide
It is important to save all parts you are not going to use in case
you need them in the future.
B
D
A
C
1x
1x 1x
1x E1x
F

SOLO GA | User’s manual
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2. HARDWARE SETUP
2.1 CONNECTING TO PC
The SOLO GA has been developed to be pluggable to any
standard Windows computer. After placing the panel on the
surface it will rest, connect all the power plugs coming out of
the back of the SOLO GA to the provided multiple power socket
(B). Now connect the power strip (B) to a -VAC outlet.
You now have two options to connect the SOLO GA to the
computer running the flight simulation software; through
Direct (OPTION A) or LAN network (OPTION B) connection.
Independently of the option you use, you will need to plug one
end of the provided Ethernet cable (C) to the LAN connector
at the back of the SOLO GA. The LAN connector socket of the
SOLO GA is found in the mini-computer within the SOLO GA,
displayed below.
OPTION A: LAN Network Connection (Recommended)
Connect an Ethernet cable between the SOLO GA and router,
and another from your PC to the router as displayed below.
Ethernet
cable (C)
Remote Connection is not available through Direct
Connection, given panel has no internet connection
using this method.
Ethernet
cable (C)
Ethernet cable
(not provided)
OPTION B: Direct Connection
Connect the Ethernet cable (C) between your SOLO GA and
your PC as displayed in the next diagram.

SOLO GA | User’s manual 5
2.2 ADJUSTING MAGNETIC LABELS
ACCORDING TO AIRCRAFT TYPE
The SOLO GA is a multifuncion panel, and some switches
change their function depending on whether the selected
aircraft is a piston, turbo-prop. or jet. The panel incorporates
som magnetic labels, shown below, which allow you to change
the designation of each switch and rotary switch to match the
correct functionality. The default designation of the switches
and rotaries (without the magnetic labels) is for piston engine
aircraft.
To apply the magnetic labels (D), simply place them over
the SOLO GA panel in their correct location, as displayed in
the image below. The image depicts the SOLO GA with the
turboprop magnetic labels applied.

SOLO GA | User’s manual
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3. SOFTWARE SETUP
To interact with your PC, the SOLO GA requires installing some
additional software depending on the flight simulation software
you use. The SOLO GA is compatible with MSFS, PreparD and
X-Plane .
MSFS and Prepar3D
To set up the SOLO GA with MSFS or Prepar3D, you will need
to install VFConnect, 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:
• VFConnect: https://downloads.virtual-fly.com/
software/vfconnect/latest/vfconnect.exe
• FSUIPC: http://www.fsuipc.com/
If you already have FSUIPC installed, skip this step. During
the installation, a registration window will appear, our panels
do not require full FSUIPC installation for full functionality.
which you must ignore by selecting "Not Now". You can skip
by selecting "Not Now". Restart MSFS/PreparD after the
installation is complete.
X-Plane 
To set up the SOLO GA with X-Plane 11, you only need to
install the VFConnect version suitable for X-Plane 11. You can
download it from the link below:
• VFConnect_XP: https://downloads.virtual-fly.com/
software/vfconnect/latest/vfconnect_xp.exe

SOLO GA | User’s manual 7
4. START UP
4.1 ACTIVATING PROCEDURES
1. Start your preferred flight simulation software (MSFS,
Prepar3D or X-Plane 11).
2. Press the push button (a) indicated below to start the
"Windows" operating system of the SOLO GA's mini computer.
The device will be ready to operate after about  seconds,
when you will see the "SELECT PANEL TYPE SCREEN"
displayed in the next image picture. Follow "PANEL
SELECTION (ACCORDING TO AIRCRAFT)" from section  to
select the panel from the aircraft you wish to fly
a
The SOLO GA must not be disconnected while
the programs are loading. Doing so might cause
problems with booting in the future.
3. Execute the VFConnect version that corresponds to
the simulation software running. If the Windows firewall is
activated, a warning permission to communicate with networks
might appear. You must click "Allow Access" to enable the
connection between the SOLO GA and the computer.
Depending on the flight simulation software you use, the
connection time will vary.

SOLO GA | User’s manual
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(b) The plugin is connec-
ted to MSFS / PreparD /
X-Plane and SOLO GA.
The VFConnect software window will look like (a) below if it
is not yet connected, and like (b) if a connection has been
established succesfully between computer and SOLO GA.
(a) The plugin is searching
for MSFS/PreparD/X-Plane
 and SOLO GA.
If you have issues establishing the connection between the
SOLO GA and your computer, please contact Virtual Fly's
Technical support at support@virtual-fly.com.
If using X-Plane 11, VFConnect will not show a
"Connected" status until a flight has been loaded.
4.2 DEACTIVATING PROCEDURES
Press the push button (a) of the SOLO GA's mini computer to
stop the "Windows" operating system. Wait until everything
is stopped before unplugging the SOLO GA from the power.
a

SOLO GA | User’s manual 9
In the previous image you can see the SOLO GA has a
"GENERIC" option for each aircraft type ( in total). On
each "GENERIC" option, you can select the full scale of the
speedometer "Airspeed Range" and the type of instrument
indication of direction "Directional Indicator".
To set up the SOLO GA with the aircraft you wish to fly, you
must:
• Select the corresponding Gauges Panel to desired
aircraft
• Place the corresponding magnetic labels
SELECTING GAUGES PANEL
The SOLO GA incorporates a " touchscreen, so you must
manage it with your fingers. Follow these steps:
. Select the label that corresponds to the aircraft you wish
to fly in the simulation software. If there isn't a customized
label for the desired aircraft, select the "GENERIC" option
corresponding to the aircraft's engine type. For instance, if
aircraft selected in simulation software is "Beechcraft B",
you must select the "GENERIC" button from the "Twin Engine
Turboprop" menu.
5. PANEL SELECTION ACCORDING TO
AIRCRAFT
The SOLO GA panel has been designed to operate and
display instruments for single and twin engine planes of both
piston and turboprop aircraft. The following picture shows
that some aircraft have their own customised panel, such as
the C-172, C-182, Mooney Bravo, Baron 58 and King Air 350.
There are also customizable panels labelled as "GENERIC" to
simulate other aircraft.
The aircraft best suited to be flown using the SOLO GA are
those that MSFS, Prepar3D or X-Plane 11 incorporates by
default. However, planes from Prepar3D CARENADO have
been tested and have yielded good results.

SOLO GA | User’s manual
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. If you have chosen a "GENERIC" panel, "Extra Options" will
automatically open and enable you to select your preferences
regarding Airspeed Range and Directional Indicator, as seen
in the following image.
. Press the "LOAD AIRCRAFT" button shown below and
the panel will automatically show the gauges and indicators
correspondoing to your selection.

SOLO GA | User’s manual 11
6. ENGINE STARTING PROCEDURES
The following procedures are indicated by Virtual Fly to start
the plane using the SOLO GA in the simplest fashion.
6.1 START & STOP FOR PISTON ENGINES
MSFS/PreparD: STARTING PISTON ENGINES
1. Pull on the PARKING BRAKE.
2. Move the MIXTURE lever to RICH position.
3. Move the PROP RPM lever to HIGH position.
4. Move the POWER lever to IDLE position.
. Switch on the BAT switch.
. Switch on the two MAGNETO L ENG "L" and "R" switches.
. Push the red START button on the left to start the engine.
. Once engine is running, switch on the left L ALT switch to
charge the battery.
. Switch on M. AVIONICS switch.
These procedures have started the engine if the selected
aircraft is a single-engine, or the left engine if it is a twin-
engine aircraft.
Never use these procedures for pilot training or for real
aviation.
If you are flying a twin-engine aircraft, you must carry out
indications 6, 7 and 8 again to start the right engine.
2
5
4
6
3
7
98 1
The diagram below shows the position of every switch in
the SOLO GA along with the step that corresponds to their
application when starting the piston engine.

SOLO GA | User’s manual
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MSFS/PreparD: STOPPING PISTON ENGINES
1. Pull on the PARKING BRAKE.
2. Move the MIXTURE lever to CUTOFF position.
. Switch o M. AVIONICS switch.
4. Switch o the ALT switch(es).
5. Switch o the MAGNETO switch(es).
6. Switch o the BAT switch.
The diagram below shows the position of every switch in
the SOLO GA along with the step that corresponds to their
application when stopping the piston engine.
1
2
4
5
3
6
X-Plane : STARTING & STOPPING PISTON ENGINES
To start and stop a piston engine aircraft in X-Plane 11, please
refer to the selected aircraft's Pilot Operating Manual. This
can be found instide the corresponding aircraft's folder
within: X-Plane 11\Aircraft\Laminar Research. Once the Pilot
Operating Manual of the corresponding aircraft is open, locate
the "Checklists" section and follow the detailed instructions
for starting and stopping the engines.

SOLO GA | User’s manual 13
6.2 START & STOP FOR TURBOPROP ENGINES
MSFS/PreparD: STARTING PISTON ENGINES
1. Pull on the PARKING BRAKE.
2. Move the MIXTURE lever to RICH position.
3. Move the PROP RPM lever to HIGH position.
4. Move the POWER lever to IDLE position.
. Switch on the BAT switch.
. Switch on the L ENG START switch..
. Once the engine is running, switch o the L ENG START
switch.
. Switch on the GEN  switch to charge the batteries.
. Switch on M. AVIONICS switch.
These procedures have started the engine if the selected
aircraft is a single-engine, or the left engine if it is a twin-
engine aircraft.
Before activating GEN, do not forget to disable START.
If you don't, the generator will not charge the batteries.
51
4
76
23
98
The diagram below shows the position of every switch in
the SOLO GA along with the step that corresponds to their
application when starting the turboprop engine.
If you are flying a twin-engine aircraft, you must carry out
indications 6, 7 and 8 again to start the right engine.

SOLO GA | User’s manual
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MSFS/PreparD: STOPPING TURBOPROP ENGINES
1. Pull on the PARKING BRAKE.
2. Move the MIXTURE lever to CUTOFF position.
. Switch o M. AVIONICS switch.
4. Switch o the GEN switch(es).
5. Switch o the BAT switch.
The diagram below shows the position of every switch in
the SOLO GA along with the step that corresponds to their
application when stopping the turboprop engine.
2
54 3 1
X-Plane : STARTING & STOPPING TURBOPROP ENGINES
To start and stop a turboprop engine aircraft in X-Plane 11,
please refer to the selected aircraft's Pilot Operating Manual.
This can be found instide the corresponding aircraft's folder
within: X-Plane 11\Aircraft\Laminar Research. Once the Pilot
Operating Manual of the corresponding aircraft is open, locate
the "Checklists" section and follow the detailed instructions
for starting and stopping the engines.

SOLO GA | User’s manual 15
7. RADIOSTACK
The Radiostack's screen is a touchscreen, so you must press
the buttons in the screen to activate them. Only the numerical
values have to be changed with the real rotary knobs located
at right side of the Radiostack.
Some options may dier a bit depending on the simulation
software you are using (MFS/PD or X-Plane), these dierences
are detailed in the following instructions.
Definition of rotary knobs
ALT SEL (MFS/PD):
Rotate to change the ALTITUDE in increments of " feet"
or rotate whilst pressing the knob to change the ALTITUDE in
increments of " feet".
COM frequencies:
Rotate to change the decimal of the frequency in increments
of "." or rotate keeping the knob pressed to change the
integers in increments of ".".
NAV frequencies:
Rotate to change the decimal of the frequency in increments
of "." or rotate whilst pressing the knob to change the
integers in increments of ".".
ADF frequency:
Rotate to change the frequency in increments of "." or
rotate keeping the knob pressed to change the frequency in
increments of ".".
Audio panel
& Markers
Autopilot
Distance
Measurement
Eq. (DME &)
Automatic
Direction
Finder (ADF)
Transponder
(XPDR)
Communication
& Navigation 
Communication
& Navigation 
XPDR Tansponder:
Rotate in order to switch the selector to the dierent posi-
tions: OFF, SBY, TST, ON, ALT

SOLO GA | User’s manual
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Device description
The order in wich the devices appear, if activated, is fixed: see
diagram on previous page.
7.1 AUDIO PANEL AND MARKERS
The user can select which audio channel to receive and
transmit; it also includes an approach radiobeacon (marker)
lights.
"Active" buttons are shown smaller and darker, to simulate
the fact that they have been pressed. Speaker and Phone
buttons are linked and will always be de/activated together,
regardless of wich is pressed first.
The picture shows some buttons pressed (ON) and some
depressed (OFF).
TRANSMITTERS
The NAV, NAV, DME, MKR and ADF buttons are used to
listen and identificate the Morse code associated with the
currently tuned station.
IMPORTANT: To activate NAV or NAV, it is mandatory
that the "Ident" knobs in respective COM/NAV radios are
pulled, otherwise it won't be activated. To make it easier,
the Options screen allows for a "Linked" option that will
automatically press the corresponding button in the audio
panel whenthe Ident knob on the radios are pulled.
OBLIGATORY SELECTION OF COM OR COM
The transmitter channel (COM or COM) is selected
automatically as the received audio channel be deactivated
(it is a FS restriction).
DUAL RECEPTION
It is permitted to activate both COM and COM audio,
simultaneously.
NOTE: Not all the buttons work; inoperative buttons are:
MKR Sens, TEL and AUTO. MIC switch only works with
COM1 or COM2.
7.2 AUTO-PILOT (AP) 'KFC 225 like'
Peixsoft GA Radio Stack Displays UDP for Virtual Fly
This modified version shows, and allows modification
of, values from the simulator's autopilot. It also provides
information about active and armed modes.
Transmitter selector
(Only available: COM & COM)

SOLO GA | User’s manual 17
NOTE: The autopilot does nothing by itself; it merely sends
to and receives data from FS and handles the operation.
As a result, Radio Stack may exhibit limited functionally with
certain third-party addon aircraft depending on how complex
the autopilot systems are and how much they deviate from
the generic FS systems.
Therefore, although the default aircraft and most add-on GA
aircraft can be used successfully with the Radiostack, more
complex add-on aircraft may not work at all or demonstrate
limited functionality.
Definition of buttons:
. AP Master Switch: Engage/Disengage the autopilot. AP
caption lit on annunciation panel () when ON.
. FD: Flight Director switch ON or OFF (if installed). FD
caption lit on annunciation panel.
. HDG: Heading mode. This follows the Directional Gyro's or
HSI's "heading bug".
. NAV: Navigation Mode (VOR or GPS). Arms the NAV
mode to intercept and follow the selected radial on NAV/
GPS track.
. APR: Approach Mode (LOC or ILS). This arms the APR
mode, to intercept the Localizer and the Glide Slope (if
available and the NAV radio is tuned to the ILS frequency).
Note: if HDG mode is active, it will be replaced by APR
mode when the Localizer is captured and if ALT mode is
active, it will be replaced by the Glideslope when captured.
. REV: Back course mode (Rev LOC). It arms the reverse
localizer capture to perform an outbound procedure turn
to ILS.
. ALT: Altitude Hold. The altitude maintained is the altitude
at the moment the ALT button is pressed rounded to
the nearest hundred. If the ALT button is pressed with
an established climb os decent rate present, there will
be an overshoot, with the airplane returned positively to
the selected altitude. If pressed when ALT hold mode is
engaged, will disengage the mode.
. UP & DN: It is used to change the Vertical Speed (VS) in
stops of hundreds.

SOLO GA | User’s manual
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. ALT Knob: Used to change the selected altitude. The
outer knob changes the altitude in increments of  ft
and the inner knob in increments of  ft.
. VS: Vertical Speed. When pressed, it will engage the
vertical speed hold mode. The vertical speed maintained
is the vertical speed present at the moment the VS button
is pressed rounded to the nearest hundred. The rate can
be changed using UP or DN buttons. When the VS button
is pressed again, it will disengage the vertical speed mode.
. ARM: This arms the altitude mode. If AP is engaged the
plane will climb or descend to the desired altitude at the
selected vertical speed. Vertical speed can by changed
while Alt is engaged by pressing UP or DN buttons. While
altitude is not yet reached, the active mode is automatically
set to VS while ALT is only armed. It will change to active
when the desired altitude is reached.
. Yaw Damper: Switch it ON or OFF (if installed in aircraft
being used).
Display
. Roll Active Mode: These can be ROL, HDG, NAV, APR and
REV.
• ROL = Wing Leveler active.
• HDG= Heading mode active.
• NAV = NAV Radial/GPS track intercepted and
following it.
• APR = ILS Localizer captured.
• REV = ILS localizer Back Course captured.
. Roll Armed Mode: These can be NAV, APR, REV and GS.
Armed modes show the ARM caption at its right position.
. Altitude selected: This is the desired or maintained
altitude. It can be changed using the rotary knobs ().
- Vertical Speed selected: This is the selected Vertical
Speed.
. Alert annunciator: This label appears when the aircraft
altitude is between  ft and  ft of the desired
altitude. It always occurs, even when AP is o or altitude
hold is not active.
. Pitch Active Mode: this can be VS, ALT and GS.
• VS: Vertical Speed Mode.
• ALT: Altitude is reached and hold.
• GS: ILS Glide Slope is captured.
- Pitch Armed Mode: This can be ALT. Armed modes show
an ARM caption to the right.

SOLO GA | User’s manual 19
7.4 DISTANCE METERING EQUIPMENT (DME)
This is a modified version to allow the user to choose bet-
ween DME  or .
Due to FS limitations, it always works in remote mode
(RMT); taht is, it always works paired with NAV  or  res-
pectively. It will not work with independent frequency.
If no signal from DME is received dashes appears on the
screen.
. Annunciator: This has two columns, left for AP options
and right for A/T options.
- Left column show the next options:
AP: Master AP switch is engaged.
YD: Yaw Damper is On.
FD: Flight Director is On.
- Right column show:
AT: Autothrottle is On.
TOGA: TOGA is On.
7.3 COMMUNICATIONS AND NAVIGATION
COM & NAV equipment is integrated in the one device
and is % functional except "Pull test". When entering
values with the keyboard, a dash appears in the digit that
waits to be changed.
STBY Frequency
selector
STBY Frequency selector
and Step ( or  KHz)
Power Switch
Frequency in use
Frequency in StandBy
Navigation
Frequency in use Frequency in StandBy
Communications
Frequency transfer Frequency transfer
Ident knob (pull to ident)
(Paired with NAV () in the
Audio Panel

SOLO GA | User’s manual
20
FLT Mode indication (HH:MM)
(The picture shows  minutes in FLT mode)
FLT and ET modes switch
CHRONO MODE - Elapsed Time (ET)
The ET mode allows a chrono with Minutes and Seconds (until
:). The chrono begins to count when you press SET/RST
push button (also when other mode is selected) and returns
to start every time SET/RST is pressed. Can not be stopped,
always is reset to  and begins to count automatically.
FLIGHT TIME MODE (FLT)
An internal chrono is started when the device is activated,
and it counts both Hours and Minutes. It always works (in any
mode) while the device is On.
Change between
ADF & ANT mode
In Use Frequency Stand By FrequencyFRQ Mode
Enables BFO
modulation
Enables FRQ mode
and freqcy transfer
Power
switch
Hundreds and
thousands
selector
Units
selector
7.5 AUTOMATIC DIRECTION FINDER (ADF)
This is % functional; the ADF and BFO buttons are working
but perform no actions. (FS does not allow the user to move
the needle to º as would be usual in ANT mode).
Note: NO dash appears when frequency is changed in this
device.
FREQUENCY MODE (FRQ)
In its main mode, it shows two frequencies: Used and Standby.
Distance
meter (NM)
(Nautical Miles)
Speed to the
station (Kt)
(Knobs)
Time to the
station
(Minutes)
Power switch
(OFF – ON)
Source
Selector