company rules
DESCRIPTION AND STRUCTURE
Jetlantic Virtual Airways (JVA) is a virtual airline using Microsoft Flight Simulator for the purpose of simulating modern day airline operations. It aims to provide its members with a fascinating and rewarding simulation experience. The following set of rules details the company's internal regulations and its applications, to which all members and candidates are subject.
PILOTS
JVA is continuously open to the recruitment of new pilots. Anyone is eligible to become a JVA pilot, regardless of age, gender, nationality or previous experience in flight simulation. The requirements to become a JVA pilot are:
- a legal, working copy of Microsoft Flight Simulator (2004 or X edition)
- a legal, working copy of at least one of the add-on aircraft we use
- good domain and understanding of the English language
ADMISSIONS
In order to become a JVA pilot, candidates must undertake an admission exam, consisting of a written test and an exam flight. The written test is an online multiple choice test, covering the following topics:
- basic flying knowledge
- flight planning
- instrument flight rules
- terminal procedures (SID / STAR)
- air traffic control
- weather observation (METAR)
Upon registration, the candidate will be sent a link to the exam, which must be undertaken within the next two days. The written test consists of 18 questions covering the above topics, and has a time limit of 15 minutes. The minimum pass mark is 70%. If a candidate fails on his first attempt, he / she is entitled to a second attempt. If the second attempt is also unsuccessful, then the candidate's application is rejected and he / she may not apply again to join JVA before a period of 90 days. A first attempt under 50% automatically disqualifies the pilot for a second attempt. Candidates will be informed of their marks via email by the Flight Operations Department.
Once a candidate passes the written exam, he / she becomes an active member of JVA. Once this membership is activated, the pilot must complete a valid flight within a maximum of 15 days. Upon successful completion of this first flight, the candidate officially becomes a member of Jetlantic Virtual Airways, and is allowed to fly any route or aircraft of his choice according to the JVA flight schedules and company rules.
CAREERS
JVA pilots have the opportunity of progressing in their careers within the airline. As they accumulate flown hours, the career progression within JVA is as follows:
- Cadet Pilot (0-25 hours)
- Junior First Officer (25-75 hours)
- First Officer (75-150 hours)
- Senior First Officer (150-250 hours)
- Captain (250-500 hours)
- Senior Captain (500-1000 hours)
- Fleet Captain (1000+ hours)
AWARDS
JVA pilots are also eligible for a series of awards, independent of their advancement in ranks. These awards aim to stimulate dedication and involvement in the airline's structure. Current JVA awards are:
- Atlantic Rating (for 10 landings at Madeira airport)
- Atlantic Rating II (for 10 landings at Azores airports)
- Atlantic Rating III (for 10 landings at Canary Islands airports)
- Gibraltar Rating (for 5 landings at Gibraltar airport)
- Alpine Rating (for 5 landings at Innsbruck airport)
- Vágar Rating (for 5 landings at Vágar airport)
- Samos Rating (for 5 landings at Samos airport)
- Skiathos Rating (for 5 landings at Skiathos airport)
- London City Rating (for 5 landings at London City airport)
- Jersey Rating (for 5 landings at Jersey airport)
- Scandinavian Rating (for 5 landings at Scandinavian airports)
- Maghreb Rating (for 5 landings at Morocco airports)
- Transatlantic Rating (for 10 transatlantic crossings)
- Contribution Award (for successful ideas benefitting JVA operations)
- Dedication Award (for outstanding dedication to duties within JVA)
TYPE RATINGS
JVA pilots also earn type ratings on any of the aircraft types JVA operates, provided they reach the minimum flying time on the type in question as follows:
- B1900D Type Rating (50 hours flown on the Beechcraft 1900D)
- B737 Classic Type Rating (100 hours flown on the Boeing 737 Classic series)
- B737NG Type Rating (100 hours flown on the Boeing 737NG series)
- A32S Type Rating (100 hours flown on the Airbus A32S series)
- B757 Type Rating (100 hours flown on the Boeing 757)
- B767 Type Rating (100 hours flown on the Boeing 767)
- A330 Type Rating (100 hours flown on the Airbus A330)
- MD-11 Type Rating (100 hours flown on the Boeing MD-11)
MINIMUM FLYING REQUIREMENTS
The minimum requirement for a pilot to remain active within JVA is completion of a flight every 60 days. Pilots who realize they will not be able to meet these requirements for a period of time should contact the Chief Pilot and give notice of this, including the period of time for which they expect to be absent. Their account will then be changed to "inactive" status until their return, without prejudice of their career status within JVA. A pilot may in the same manner anticipate the date of return at any time. Pilots who fail to return for more than 30 days after the assumed end of their leave without notice, or who otherwise fail to comply with these requirements may have their accounts cancelled without previous notice.
FLIGHT BOOKING
JVA maintains a flexible approach towards flight booking. The bidding system used by JVA enables the pilot to book any flight of his / her choice, regardless of whether it is available on that specific day – there is no obligation to match the flying day and time to that of the schedule. The only requirement is that the simulator time is set correctly to match that of the schedule. All JVA schedules are published in UTC time for this purpose.
AIRCRAFT OPERATION
Upon approval of membership, it is understood that any JVA pilot has sufficient knowledge of the aircraft types he / she intends to fly, and is able to fly unassisted in accordance to aircraft parameters and the airline's standard operating procedures. With the purpose of ensuring safety, realism and correct aircraft operation, flight logs are monitored to detect (but not limited to) the following occurrences:
- incorrect flaps configurations for take-off and / or landing
- operation of gear and / or flaps above maximum recommended speeds
- breaching of speed and / or altitude limits as dictated by ATC
- excessive approach speeds
- touchdowns with rates of descent above 600 fpm
- take-offs and / or landings with incorrect pitch attitudes
- overspeed / stall events
- beginning or ending of flights in areas other than parking stands or gates
- simulation rate above 1x
- use of slew function
PIREPs which include any of the above infractions will be rejected and the pilot in question notified. Any intentional or persistent abuse of the above parameters may result in the involved pilot's expulsion from the airline.
PILOT REPORTS
Every flight flown for JVA by its pilots must be correctly reported. For JVA operations, the use of the kACARS automatic flight reporting software is mandatory. Pilots are responsible for ensuring the correct installation and functioning of kACARS in their systems before attempting any flight operations. For this purpose, the kACARS software, and its installation and company operations manuals are made available through the JVA website. The use of any other type of flight tracking software or manual filing of PIREPs are strictly prohibited and any PIREPs received in these circumstances will be rejected. Time compression (use of simulation rate above 1x) is not permitted under any circumstances. These rules have been judged to be the most adequate to enable pilots in different circumstances to fly regularly for JVA. While JVA strives to have a tolerant and pilot-friendly approach, it considers the falsifying of PIREPs a very serious offence. Any pilot who is found to have falsified a PIREP in contravention of the above guidelines will be removed permanently from the airline.
ONLINE FLYING
JVA allows and encourages its pilots to undertake flight operations online, under the IVAO or VATSIM networks. While flying for JVA in these environments, pilots shall behave in a professional, friendly and courteous manner towards colleagues, air traffic controllers and other pilots at all times. Any reports of misbehaviour shall be thoroughly investigated and may result in termination of the offender's link with JVA, if found guilty. Likewise, any reports of abuse from third parties encountered by JVA pilots shall be thoroughly investigated and the offended will have full support from the JVA administration if the abuse is proven.
COMPANY MATERIALS
JVA provides its pilots with a number of diverse materials intended to support their flying activities with the airline. While these materials are provided freely to all JVA pilots, they may not be used for any purposes other than support of JVA operations by its staff. Any unauthorized use, copying, distribution or modification of these materials is considered a serious contravention of company rules and shall be dealt with accordingly in disciplinary terms.
TERMS OF MEMBERSHIP
By submitting an application to join Jetlantic Virtual Airways, a pilot is deemed to have read and understood the above rules, and agrees to comply with them as a member of the airline. Any intentional or continued disrespect of company rules will result in termination of the pilot's membership of the airline.
For any enquiries concerning Jetlantic Virtual Airways and its activities, please contact the Flight Operations Department: