Setup Guide ✈️


Please follow the steps below to set up your Desktop Cockpit for home flight simulation.

 

 

1. Unboxing & Placement

Carefully remove the packing and remove your cockpit - please do not pick it up from the panels. Here is a video explaining how to safely remove the cockpit:

Once it’s safely out of the box, place it on a stable desk or workstation where you normally use your PC. Please ensure your cockpit is not in direct sunlight.

 

 

2. Check Contents

Confirm that all items are included

 

 

3. Inspect for Damage

Before connecting anything, inspect the cockpit and cables for damage.
If any issues are found, please contact us via message before proceeding.

 

 

4. Install any add-ons

If you have purchased the "Extended" Version with the WinCTRL AGP32 panel, please add the AGP Back Supports, and then install the WinCTRL AGP32 unit into the cockpit:

If you have purchased the Glare Support, you should now slide the Glareshield into Back Supports. There are some screws provided, but they do not tighten, they just slide in to hold it in place:

 

Once this is installed, you can add you Glare Warning Panel, FCU and both EFIS.

 

5. Power On Your PC

Turn on your PC and remain on the Windows desktop/home screen.

 

 

6. Connect USB Cables

Plug the two USB-A power cables from the Desktop Cockpit directly into your PC.

If either screen flickers, repeatedly connects and disconnects, or switches off, your computer’s USB ports may not be supplying enough power.

In this situation, connect both cables to a locally compliant dual-port USB-A mains charger capable of providing:

  • 24 W total output
  • 5 V/4.8 A combined output
  • 5 V/2.4 A from each port simultaneously

We have successfully tested:

  • Duracell Dual 24W USB-A Charger
  • Belkin BoostCharge Dual USB-A 24W Charger
  • TP-Link UH720 7-Port USB 3.0 Hub, using its two dedicated 5 V/2.4 A fast-charging ports

When using the TP-Link UH720, connect the two display cables to the dedicated fast-charging ports—not the standard USB data ports.

Power adapters and powered USB hubs are not included. Please purchase the correct, locally compliant plug version for your country and check the specifications carefully, as similarly named models may have different outputs.

 

 

7. Connect Display Cables

Connect the two display cables from the Desktop Cockpit to two available display outputs on your PC.

Depending on the cables selected when ordering, you can use:

  • 2 × HDMI connections
  • 2 × DisplayPort connections
  • 1 × HDMI connection and 1 × DisplayPort connection

It is therefore possible to mix and match HDMI and DisplayPort connections. Each cockpit screen operates as a separate display, so the two cables do not need to use the same connection type.

If your PC does not have enough available HDMI or DisplayPort connections, you can use a compatible USB-to-HDMI adapter to create additional display outputs.

We have successfully tested the ABLEWE USB 3.0 to Dual HDMI Adapter with USB 3.0 Port.

Any USB-to-HDMI adapter must support extending the Windows desktop rather than only mirroring or duplicating an existing display. You may also need to install the manufacturer’s drivers before the adapter will work.

HDMI splitters are not supported because they duplicate an existing display rather than creating a separate extended display.

 

 

8. Disable Windows Snap (Important)

Before configuring your displays, disable Windows Snap to prevent popped-out instruments from resizing automatically.

  1. Go to Windows → Settings

  2. Search for “Multitasking”

  3. Ensure Snap Windows is set to OFF

 

9. Configure Windows Display Settings

  1. Right-click anywhere on the Windows desktop

  2. Select Display Settings

  3. Confirm that Windows has detected two additional monitors

  4. Arrange the displays so they appear below your main monitor
    (use the Identify button to determine which screen is which):

Click Apply to save the layout.

 

 

10. Choose how to display your instruments

The cockpit screens operate as extended displays. You must open the flight instruments as separate windows and position them on the cockpit screens.

There are three ways to do this:

Option 1: Native Microsoft Flight Simulator pop-outs

Microsoft Flight Simulator allows you to open instruments as separate windows using Right Alt (AltGr) + left-click.

You can then manually move and resize each instrument window on the cockpit displays.

This method does not require any additional software, but you will normally need to reposition the instruments each time you set up your flight.

Option 2: MSFS Pop Out Panel Manager (free)

MSFS Pop Out Panel Manager can automatically open, position and resize your instrument windows. It can also save your preferred layout for future flights.

Download MSFS Pop Out Panel Manager

Once downloaded and installed, open the program and leave it running in the background. We will return to it later in this guide.

There is also a video on our YouTube channel, @DesktopCockpitsUK, explaining how to configure and use Pop Out Panel Manager.

Option 3: GlassOut (paid)

GlassOut is a paid third-party application that provides an alternative way to display the instruments on the cockpit screens.

It is designed to reduce the performance and FPS impact associated with Microsoft Flight Simulator’s native pop-out windows.

If you choose GlassOut, follow the installation and configuration instructions supplied by the GlassOut developer.

Performance considerations

Native pop-outs and MSFS Pop Out Panel Manager both use Microsoft Flight Simulator’s native pop-out system. Your PC must therefore be capable of running four instrument windows simultaneously:

  • PFD
  • ND
  • ECAM
  • Standby instruments

If you experience a significant reduction in performance or FPS, consider using GlassOut as an alternative.

MSFS Pop Out Panel Manager and GlassOut are third-party applications and are not supplied or supported directly by DesktopCockpits.

 

11. Launch Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024

Open Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 or 2024, then navigate to:

Settings → Graphics → Display Mode → Full Screen


 

12. Load Your Flight

Select Free Flight, choose your compatible aircraft and load into the virtual cockpit.

Once the aircraft has fully loaded, follow the instructions for your chosen display method below.

You only need to use one of the following methods:

  • Method A: MSFS Pop Out Panel Manager
  • Method B: Native manual pop-outs
  • Method C: GlassOut

 

 

13A. Method A - MSFS Pop Out Panel Manager

Use this method if you want Pop Out Panel Manager to automatically open, position and resize the instruments for future flights.

Create an aircraft profile

  1. Open MSFS Pop Out Panel Manager if it is not already running.
  2. Select Add New Aircraft Profile.
  3. Name the profile after your aircraft, such as:
    • A319
    • A320
    • A321
  4. Select the + icon to add the required instrument panels.
  5. Add the following panel names:
    • PFD
    • ND
    • Standby
    • ECAM

Identify each instrument

You must set a marker for each panel so the software knows which virtual cockpit instrument to open.

  1. Select Identify for the first panel.
  2. When prompted, click the corresponding instrument inside the virtual cockpit.
  3. Click near the centre of the instrument display to help ensure accurate detection.
  4. Repeat this process for the PFD, ND, Standby and ECAM.

Start and position the pop-outs

  1. Select Start Pop-Out.
  2. Wait for the instrument windows to open.
  3. Check all connected displays if you cannot immediately see one of the windows.
  4. Select the padlock icon to unlock the window positions.
  5. Drag each instrument window onto the appropriate Desktop Cockpit screen.
  6. Resize and position each instrument so that it fits the required display area.
  7. Select the padlock icon again to lock and save the layout.

Your saved layout should then be recalled when you use the same aircraft profile in future.

Need more help? Watch the Pop Out Panel Manager tutorial on our YouTube channel:

Troubleshooting

If Pop Out Panel Manager displays a FAILED message:

  1. Check which panel failed to open.
  2. Select Identify again for the affected panel.
  3. Reposition the marker closer to the centre of the virtual instrument.
  4. Start the pop-out process again.

Accurate marker placement is important for successful pop-outs.

Once all four instruments are positioned correctly, continue to Step 14.

 

 

13B. Method B - Native manual pop-outs

Use this method if you do not want to use MSFS Pop Out Panel Manager.

For each required instrument:

  1. Position your mouse over the instrument inside the virtual cockpit.
  2. Hold Right Alt (AltGr).
  3. Left-click the instrument.
  4. Wait for the instrument to open in a separate window.
  5. Check all connected displays if you cannot immediately locate the new window.
  6. Drag the window onto the appropriate Desktop Cockpit screen.
  7. Resize and position it to fit the display area.

Repeat this process for:

  • PFD
  • ND
  • Standby
  • ECAM

Manual pop-outs may need to be repositioned each time you load a new flight.

Important: The ISIS standby display in the default iniBuilds A320neo and A321LR cannot currently be popped out natively. GlassOut is required if you want to display the ISIS instrument separately with these aircraft.

Once all required instruments are positioned correctly, continue to Step 14.

 

 

13C. Method C - GlassOut

Use this method if you have purchased GlassOut and want to reduce the performance impact associated with native Microsoft Flight Simulator pop-out windows.

  1. Download and install GlassOut using the instructions supplied by its developer.
  2. Open GlassOut.
  3. Select and configure your chosen aircraft.
  4. Assign the PFD, ND, ECAM and standby instruments to the appropriate Desktop Cockpit screens.
  5. Resize and position the instruments as required.
  6. Save the layout if this option is available within your GlassOut configuration.

GlassOut is a paid third-party application. Its interface and setup process may change, so please refer to the official GlassOut instructions for the latest installation and configuration steps.

Once the instruments are displayed correctly, continue to Step 14.

 

 

14. Check your display layout

Before beginning your flight, confirm that:

  • The PFD and ND are positioned on the main cockpit display
  • The ECAM and standby instruments are positioned on the secondary cockpit display
  • No part of an instrument is cut off
  • The instrument windows remain visible when interacting with Microsoft Flight Simulator
  • Each instrument updates correctly

If you are using native pop-outs or MSFS Pop Out Panel Manager, monitor your simulator performance and FPS. If the performance impact is too high, you may wish to consider GlassOut.

 

15. Enjoy your flight

Your Desktop Cockpit is now configured and ready to use.

Happy flying! 🛫