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This quickstart guide shows you how to install and setup the BARS Pilot Client in minutes. After completing this guide, you will have successfully installed the client, and are ready to see the BARS Pilot Client in action.
Prerequisites:Before you begin, you must have the following:
  1. BARS Account & API Token
  2. BARS Installer
  3. Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 or 2024
1

Install the client with BARS Installer

Launch the BARS Installer, choose and install the Pilot Client.
2

Open the Pilot Client

After installation, click Open in the installer to launch the Pilot Client for the first time.
3

Enter your API token

Open the Pilot Client and paste your API token from the account page and click Save.
BARS Pilot Client configuration window
Keep this token secret, never share it with anyone. It is used to authenticate API requests.

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Default Light Removal Package

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Understanding the Default Light Removal Package

The BARS Pilot Client includes a default light removal package that is installed by default. This package automatically removes defaultbaked scenery lights at all BARS supported airports to prevent duplicate lighting after BARS spawns its own dynamic lights.

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Why This Package is Important

Without the default light removal package, you would see:
  • Duplicate lights at BARS supported airports
  • Conflicting lighting from both scenery and BARS lights
  • Confusion when identifying which lights are controlled by BARS
  • Unrealistic lighting effects and positions
We strongly recommend keeping the default light removal package installed. Disabling it will result in duplicate, conflicting lights at BARS supported airports and negatively impact your visual experience. Only disable this package if you have a specific technical reason to do so.
While we do not recommend it, if you still wish to disable the default light removal package, you can do so per airport:
1

Open the BARS Pilot Client

Launch the BARS Pilot Client application.
2

Select your simulator

Select your simulator on the right through the simulator filter. This is purely a filter to only show airports compatible with each sim.
3

Find your desired airport

Use the search function to locate your airport.
4

Click the removals toggle

On the right of the scenery package dropdown is a toggle to turn removals on or off for that specific airport.
5

Restart your simulator

If your simulator is already open, you will need to restart it to update your removals preference. The Pilot Client will display an orange warning in the top right when a restart is required.
If you disable the default light removal package, you may experience duplicate lights at BARS supported airports where the baked scenery lights conflict with BARS lighting.

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Airport Lighting When ATC is Offline

Even when ATC is offline, a controller is not using BARS, or you are not connected to VATSIM, simply having the BARS Pilot Client open will spawn airport lighting in a “Default” state. This ensures your scenery always has appropriate lighting, preventing you from flying in an unlit environment.