# Connecting your simulator Click the **gear icon** at the right of the status bar to open the flight simulator link settings. ### Supported simulators
SimulatorConnectionDefault portSetup needed
Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020 or 2024)SimConnect over TCP500None — MSFS opens this automatically
FSX / Prepar3DSimConnect over TCP500Manual (see below)
X-Plane 11 / 12X-Plane's built-in networking (UDP)49000One setting (see below)
**MSFS** needs nothing extra — its default configuration already listens on port 500 for exactly this kind of connection. **FSX / Prepar3D** don't open a network listener by default the way MSFS does. You need to hand-create a `SimConnect.cfg` file on the **simulator's** PC (not the CAVAcars PC) containing: ``` ```ini [SimConnect] Protocol=IPv4 Address=0.0.0.0 Port=500 MaxClients=64 Disabled=0 ``` ``` The exact folder this file goes in varies by sim version — search "SimConnect.cfg location" for your specific FSX/Prepar3D version if you're not sure. The port must match whatever you set in CAVAcars (500 by default). **X-Plane** needs one setting enabled: in X-Plane, go to **Settings → Network** and turn on **"Accept incoming connections."** No plugin is required — CAVAcars talks to X-Plane's own built-in networking directly. ### Setting the connection up 1. Choose your **Simulator** from the dropdown. 2. Enter the **Simulator PC address**: - If the simulator runs on the **same PC** as CAVAcars, enter `127.0.0.1` or `localhost`. - If it runs on a **different PC** on your home network, enter that PC's IP address (e.g. `192.168.1.50`) — or use the scan button below instead of typing it in. 3. Confirm the **Port** — it's pre-filled with the right default for whichever simulator you picked, but change it if you've configured a non-default port (as you might with FSX/Prepar3D above). 4. Leave **"Connect automatically on launch"** checked so CAVAcars reconnects on its own every time you open the app. 5. Click **Save & connect**. ### Scanning for your simulator If you don't know your simulator PC's address, click **Scan network for the sim**. CAVAcars sweeps your local network for a machine answering on the configured port and lists every address that responds — click one to connect to it. If nothing responds: - Confirm the simulator is actually running. - Confirm the setup step above for your simulator (MSFS needs nothing, but FSX/Prepar3D and X-Plane do). - Check that both PCs are on the same network, and that Windows Firewall (or any other firewall) isn't blocking the port on the simulator's PC. If CAVAcars finds exactly one simulator on first launch (with no address saved yet), it connects automatically — you'll only need to use the scan button yourself if there's more than one candidate, or none. ### Reading the status bar
IndicatorMeaning
Dot + "Connected" / "Connecting" / "Disconnected"Current link status
Simulator name & version (e.g. "MSFS 2020")Confirms which sim you're talking to
Aircraft name / tail numberThe aircraft currently loaded in the sim
ALT / IAS / GS / HDG / V/SLive telemetry once you're in the world
RATEShown only when simulator time is sped up
---