NO BRIDGESame computer
MSFS and Pilot Journey on the same Windows PC
Pilot Journey connects directly through SimConnect. You do not need to download or install the Bridge.
Open the direct setupThe 30 second answer
Do I need the Bridge?
It depends on one thing: whether MSFS and Pilot Journey run on the same computer.
BRIDGE REQUIREDDifferent computers
MSFS on Windows with Pilot Journey on a Mac or second Windows PC
You need the Bridge for live flight tracking. Install it on the Windows PC that runs MSFS, then connect Pilot Journey over your home network.
Go to the Bridge downloadWhere do I install it?
Always on the Windows PC running MSFS. Never on the Mac or second computer running the Pilot Journey career console.
Windows simulator PC
LAUNCH BUILD IN PREPARATION
Pilot Journey Bridge for Windows
Download this only when Pilot Journey runs on another computer. Install the tray app on the Windows PC running MSFS so it can send live telemetry to your Mac or second Windows PC.
The installer URL has not been released yet. This button will become active when the launch build is ready.SIMULATORMSFS 2020 and 2024
RUNS ONWindows sim PC
NETWORK PORT7891
SETUPNo MSFS SDK or config files
Windows SmartScreen
Until the installer is code signed, Windows may show “Windows protected your PC”. Choose More info and then Run anyway to continue.
Your exact setup
Now follow the steps for your computers.
Select your setup below. You will only see the steps that apply to your combination.
NO BRIDGE REQUIRED
Use direct SimConnect on the same Windows PC.
Pilot Journey can read MSFS directly when both applications run on one Windows computer. Installing the Bridge would add a step you do not need.
- 01Install Pilot Journey
Use the same Windows PC that runs MSFS.
- 02Start MSFS
Wait until the simulator has finished loading.
- 03Open Settings, then Simulator
Leave How to connect on SimConnect and leave the sim computer field empty.
- 04Press Reconnect
The status banner should read Connected via simconnect.
ON THE WINDOWS SIM PCMSFS and Bridge
- 01Download and install the Bridge
Run the installer on the computer that runs MSFS.
- 02Start Pilot Journey Bridge
It appears as an icon near the Windows clock.
- 03Allow Private networks
Accept the Windows firewall prompt for private networks.
- 04Start MSFS
The tray status changes to Sim: connected. The server listens on port 7891.
- 05Keep the local address nearby
The tray menu lists an address such as 192.168.x.x:7891 for manual connection.
ON YOUR MACPilot Journey
- 06Open Pilot Journey
Use the Sim link step or open Settings, then Simulator.
- 07Select the discovered Bridge
Choose the Windows sim PC from the list or press Rescan network.
- 08Enter the address if needed
Use the copied host address and port 7891 when discovery is blocked.
- 09Check the connection banner
Connected via bridge means the setup is complete. Waiting for MSFS means the network link already works.
You can skip the Sim link step during first setup and connect later when the Windows sim PC is available.
ON THE WINDOWS SIM PCMSFS and Bridge
- 01Download and install the Bridge
Install it on the computer that runs MSFS.
- 02Start the Bridge
Find the Bridge icon near the Windows clock.
- 03Allow Private networks
Accept the Windows firewall prompt for private networks.
- 04Start MSFS
Wait for the tray status to show Sim: connected and port 7891.
- 05Copy the local address
Keep the 192.168.x.x:7891 address for manual connection if needed.
ON THE SECOND WINDOWS PCPilot Journey
- 06Open Settings, then Simulator
Change How to connect from SimConnect to Bridge.
- 07Select the discovered Bridge
Choose the simulator PC or press Rescan network.
- 08Enter the address if needed
Use the copied host and port 7891 if automatic discovery fails.
- 09Check the connection banner
Connected via bridge confirms the complete live connection.
Both Windows PCs must use the same home network. Guest networks usually block communication between devices.
What happens in the background
One local route for live telemetry.
The Bridge reads SimConnect on the Windows simulator PC and forwards read only telemetry to your Pilot Journey console.
01MSFSWindows sim PC
→02PJ BRIDGEPort 7891
→03PILOT JOURNEYWindows or macOS
Solve the connection
Most problems have one quick fix.
Start with the symptom you see. Port 7891 and the Windows Private network permission solve most connection issues.
Pilot Journey finds no bridges
Open the Bridge tray menu on the Windows sim PC and copy its local address. Enter the host manually in Pilot Journey with port 7891. Manual entry works even when your router blocks automatic discovery.
The bridge appears but will not connect
Open Windows Defender Firewall, choose Allow an app through firewall, find Pilot Journey Bridge and enable Private. If it is missing, quit the Bridge from the tray and start it again to bring back the firewall prompt.
Both computers use Wi Fi but cannot see each other
Confirm that both machines use the same home network. Guest networks usually isolate devices, even when both network names look similar.
The tray says Sim: not connected
MSFS is not running yet or is still loading. The Bridge retries automatically every five seconds. You do not need to reconnect it manually.
Pilot Journey says the Bridge is connected but MSFS is not
The network connection is working. Start MSFS or wait until the simulator finishes loading and the live telemetry will follow automatically.
Pilot Journey reports a Bridge protocol mismatch
Pilot Journey and the Bridge come from different releases. Download and install the newer release so both use the same protocol version.
There is no Bridge icon in the tray
Check the hidden icons arrow beside the Windows clock. The Bridge does not start with Windows, so you must start it again after each Windows session.
Technical facts
Small helper. Clear boundaries.
DISCOVERYAutomatic on the local network, with manual address fallback
RECONNECTRetries MSFS automatically every five seconds
STARTUPStart the Bridge manually after Windows starts
UPDATESDownload and reinstall newer Bridge releases manually
NETWORKUse only on a trusted home network
Advanced Windows setup without the Bridge
A second Windows PC can connect straight to MSFS through SimConnect over TCP. This requires a hand edited SimConnect.xml file in the correct MSFS package folder and does not work for a Mac.
The Bridge remains the recommended route because it needs no MSFS file edits, supports automatic discovery and shows the live connection status in the tray.
BRIDGE / WINDOWS SIM PC
Connect the cockpit to your career console.
Install the Bridge on the Windows PC running MSFS, then connect from Pilot Journey.