Yep. I had another laptop running Vpilot v2 in client mode. In my FSX machine, I ran Vpilot as host mode. Connects seamlessly over LAN. No need for any simconnect tweaking / configuring. That way I never had to alt-tab out of FSX.
FYI - My second flight on vatsim I chose a busy airport Toronto Intl. Almost got screwed up with the ATC instructions - very difficult to hear properly. Got scared a bit but thankfully, the FMS guided me properly to the right approach