When I open the V-pilot screen and and clicked on that window, the sound of my cockpit goes dead.  I recall a setting that doesn't shut down the sound when opening another window.  Anyone know that setting? 

I think you are looking on the  Options -> Settings -> Sound page and that 'Mute On Lost Focus' is unchecked.

Another thing I noticed is make sure to run vPilot as admin if you run P3D as admin.