We’re Moving Back to SmartCARS

Over the past few months, we made the switch to the built-in phpVMS ACARS as part of our wider updates to EasternHops. The idea was simple — keep everything in one place and modernise the platform.

In reality, it just didn’t work out the way we’d hoped.

We ran into a number of issues, from tracking reliability to setup complications, and it became clear pretty quickly that it wasn’t offering the kind of experience we want for our pilots. It also meant more time spent troubleshooting than actually flying — which defeats the whole point.

So, we’ve made the decision to move back to SmartCARS v3.

Why the change?

Honestly — SmartCARS just works.

It’s reliable, easy to set up, and does exactly what it needs to do without any fuss. Most of you have used it before, and it’s something the wider VA community trusts for a reason.

The switch away from it was an experiment, and in hindsight, it was the wrong move.

What you need to do

• Download SmartCARS v3
• Log in using your EasternHops website details
• Start flying

That’s it. No API keys, no complicated setup.

Going forward

This change lets us focus on what actually matters — flying, events, tours, and building the community.

We’ll be using SmartCARS moving forward for:

• Tours
• Events
• Free Flights

Everything will be built around a system that’s stable and proven.

Final note

We’re not afraid to try new things, but we’re also not afraid to roll things back when they don’t work.

This is one of those cases.

SmartCARS gives a better overall experience, and at the end of the day, that’s what matters.