smartCARS 3 Updates
This will list any notable updates to smartCARS 3 or our custom plugins.
smartCARS 3.3 Update - February 2025
TFDi Design is scheduling a mandatory update to the smartCARS 3 client. Here's what you need to know:
Installation
Once the update is available, the next time you launch smartCARS 3, it should prompt you to install the update.
Note: This version of smartCARS 3 removes the dependency on FSUIPC.
If you wish, you may uninstall FSUIPC from your system, unless other tools or add-ons you utilize require it.
This also means that Flight Simulator 2004 (FS9) is no longer supported!
If you are unable to upgrade and wish to continue flying for Canada Air Virtual, please reach out to the Staff Team.
New Features
This new version will detect your airplane location and simulator connection and automatically start a flight if the criteria are correct, such as location in the sim. In case of multiple possible matching Dispatches, you will be presented with an option to pick the flight you're going to fly.
Changes
The Flight Tracking screen will now display your flight on a 3-dimensional globe. You can open the left side pane to view the tracking data that is being recorded in the flight log. This is also where you can enter comments or choose to Pause at Top of Descent.
Canada Air Virtual Custom Plugins (Flight Center, Live Map)
Our custom plugins are fully compatible and have been tested with this new version. There are no changes or issues anticipated here.
Official Change Log
Note, crossed out items do not apply to us as we use custom functionality:
The changelog is as follows:
- - Added: Automatic flight tracking (with a valid bid)
- - Added: Always present cancel button to flight tracking page
- - Added: Remote SimConnect settings
- - Added: Ability to cancel/attempt to file PIREP after simulator connection loss in-flight
- Added: Flight start request system for VAs- Added: Ability to edit selected aircraft on bid- - Added: Always-on-top button/functionality
- - Added: Enhanced, map-based flight tracking experience
- - Added: Display of simulator connection status
- - Added: [smartCARS Pro only] Flight generation system
- - Added: Discord link on home/profile page (customizable by community)
- Added: Suggested flights system- - Added: Ability to change aircraft via flight tracking page
- Added: "View on Map" button on bid flights- - Fixed: Not properly detecting valid response to TFDi Design flights/create attempt
- Fixed: Aircraft box on bids page not selecting originally scheduled aircraft by default- Fixed: Aircraft selection during bid not being retained- - Fixed: Logbook filtering
- - Fixed: Poor loading performance on logbook
- - Fixed: Notification padding on profile page
- - Changed: Discontinued use of FSUIPC
- - Changed: Removed chat system
- - Changed: Tracking ID is now sent as UUID to community API cancel endpoint
- - Changed: Loosened access control on local API
- - Changed: Improved smartCARS map backend code
- - Changed: Improved logbook performance
- Changed: Reworked flight center bids layout- - Changed: Revamped backend code
- - Changed: Running as administrator is now possible after a prompt
- - Changed: Reduced mobile button size/text
- - Changed: Improved flight search UI
- - Changed: Improved logbook UI
Live Flights Plugin
Version 1.1.0
New Feature: Chat Messages
The Live Flights screen in smartCARS 3 now has a sidebar on the left that can be expanded to reveal a messages board for pilots to post chat messages while in flight.
You can tag other pilots by typing the @ symbol, which will reveal a selection list of pilots who are currently live. Messages with your name in it will be highlighted.
You will see the toggle button highlighted in yellow when new messages are posted.
This is a first version of this feature, so please provide feedback on our Discord, and remember that our Code of Conduct applies to these messages!
Version 1.0.6
- Initial public release
- Replicates most functionality of our website's Live Flights page
- Click a row in the table to highlight the plane on the map
- Click a plane on the map to bring up a popup with further details
Flight Center Plugin
Version 1.1.0
This version ensures that even a live flight is still visible in the Flight Center. The aim of this is to help pilots realize that their dispatched flight is in fact there and has already been started by smartCARS 3.
A live flight is denoted with a green signal icon in the Flight Center.
Live flights cannot be deleted, so the instead of a delete icon, there is now an icon that takes the user to the Flight Tracking screen.
Version 1.0.5
- fix: update flight data handling to reflect new API response structure
- feat: enhance flight creation logic with aircraft matching and improved logging
- fix: remove unnecessary console logs from flight creation component
Version 1.0.6
Minor fix to ensure a flight imported via Simbrief without an airline icao will not result in a "[object] object" flight number.
Version 1.0.4
- Initial release
- Shows all currently dispatched flights for a pilot, mirroring the My Dispatches page on the website
- Supports searching and dispatching of
- Schedules
- All schedules searchable via a number of parameters
- Tour Legs
- Only legs eligible to be flown are searchable and can be dispatched
- Events
- All upcoming events are displayed, but only events that are active can be dispatched
- Charters
- Includes Simbrief import if the official Simbrief plugin is installed (optional but recommended)
- Schedules