[ Virtual Coast Air | Operations Manual ]

1  What is a Virtual Airline?

A virtual airline is a concept developed in the early 1990's. Virtual Airlines provide members with a structured environment to maximize the enjoyment from their flight simulator. Instead of random roaming around the sky, a virtual airline (or VA) provides set assignments or routes to fly, and a set career progression. The airline keeps track of a pilots career and assigns flights based on the experience or rank of the pilot.

The member should see the airline as a 'simulated' computer airline. The pilots responsibility is the same as that of a normal commercial pilot. The safety and comfort of their passengers is paramount. There is no room for 'aerobatics' or 'cowboys'.

Virtual Coast Air simply provide a departure and destination airport and leave the rest for the pilot. The pilot must then plan the flight according to the current conditions the flight will be assigned.

2  What is Virtual Coast Air?

Virtual Coast Air was the first virtual airline specifically created for operations within Norway. Assignments are domestic flights in Norway as well as international flights using Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004 and Flight Simulator X. Virtual Coast Air started it's operations in June 1998. Virtual Coast Air was founded by Jan Roar Rød.

Virtual Coast Air is a simulation of a former domestic airline in Norway, Coast Air. Coast Air was based at Haugesund Airport (ENHD) and stopped its operations in January 2008.

3  Virtual Airline Financial System

Virtual Coast Air is based on the VAFS - Virtual Airline Financial Systems, which contains two main components:

3.1 VCAS - Virtual Airline CEO Administration System
- Pilots, pilot ranks and aircraft type ratings
- Fleet, hubs, schedules/routes management
- Several different options for our virtual airline

3.2 VAFS - Virtual Airline Financial Systems Pilot Flight Following Client
- Complete flight following ACARS system
- Full VA fleet and schedule search
- Watch in real time your flight and financial progress
- Client displays messages inside FS
- Passenger and cargo loading (FSX Only)
- Saves flights offline to be uploaded when you are online
- Shows all saved and uploaded flight data
- Generates flight logs in .txt format for later viewing

4  Must all flights be flown online?

The VAFS Pilot Flight Following Client program must be connected to the VAFS server during the flight, therefore all routes have to be flown online.

Note: To add more realism to your flights, we highly recommend to join the VATSIM - Virtual Air Traffic Simulation Network. When connected to VATSIM using the SquawkBox or FSInn program, you will be able to connect to VATSIM ATC units as well as observe other traffic in real time. Virtual Coast Air is affiliated to the VATSIM Network.

5  Who's running this VA?

	VBX101	Jan Harry Sorensen	CEO, VCAS Administration, Web Master
	VBX103	Einar Kristiansen	Fleet Chief Captain, Check Captain
	VBX114	Einar Halvorsen	Admin, Support

6  Joining Virtual Coast Air

To join Virtual Coast Air, pilots do not need to have any practical experience in aviation or the airline industry. Pilots need only have an interest in aviation or flight simulation, have the ability to devote enough time to complete their assignments, and have Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004 or Flight Simulator X.

Application procedure to become a Virtual Coast Air pilot:

6.1  Submit our online application form to apply for a VCA pilot position. A theoretical test will be e-mailed to you, and when this test is completed, send it back to VCA for evaluation. When you have passed the theoretical test, a check ride file with instructions will be sent you for the British Aerospace Jetstream 31.

Note: To pass the theoretical test, at least 80 percent correct answers is required. If you do not pass the theoretical test you must wait 48 hours before taking the test again. A new theoretical test will be e-mailed to you.

6.2  After the check ride flight is complete please send the flight video to VCA for evaluation. After this evaluation you will receive an E-mail with your Pilot ID and VAFS activation link.

6.3  Any pilot joining Virtual Coast Air from another VA can be credited his full hours from previous virtual airline employment provided his record can be verified either through the previous employer web site or by e-mail with his former hub captain or other responsible staff at the virtual airline. The hours earned with a former VA is only added to your VCA pilot records if you quit flying for this former VA.

6.4  Pilots joining from another VA must complete and pass the theoretical test and check ride before they can join Virtual Coast Air.

7.  Flying for Virtual Coast Air

7.1 Our pilots must use the VAFS Pilot Flight Following Client to fly a VCA route.

7.2 If you have not flown a VCA route within the last 5 weeks, you will be relieved from your position as a Virtual Coast Air pilot. An email will be sent to you before you are removed from the Pilot roster.


8.  Pilot Ranks and Aircraft Type Ratings

8.1 New pilots start on the British Aerospace Jetstream 31 aircraft.

8.2 When you want to apply for a new aircraft type rating and/or a new pilot rank, visit the Pilots Office.

If you for example have logged more than 31 hours on turboprop aircraft, you can:

- Apply for a new rank as Captain Trainee, and
- Apply for a new aircraft type rating on the Boeing 737-300 or Boeing 737-700 aircraft

For your reference the current Pilots Ranks, Executive Ranks and Aircraft Type Ratings are listed below:

Pilot Ranks and Aircraft Type Ratings

	Pilot Rank	Hours required	Aircraft Type Ratings available
	Trainee	000 - 010 hours	J31
	First Officer	011 - 030 hours	J31-AT3-DH1
	Captain Trainee	031 - 050 hours	J31-AT3-DH1-733-738
	Captain	051 - 070 hours	J31-AT3-DH1-733-738-320
	Senior Captain	071 - 100 hours	J31-AT3-DH1-733-738-320-76E
	Veteran Captain	101 - 150 hours	J31-AT3-DH1-733-738-320-76E-M1F-744
	Chief Captain	151 - 5000 hours	J31-AT3-DH1-733-738-320-76E-M1F-744-C750

Executive Ranks

	Rank	Salary/hour	Aircraft Type Ratings
	Chief in Command	$250	ALL
	Next in Command	$250	ALL
	Fleet Chief Captain	$250	ALL
	Chief of Route	$250	ALL
	Admin	$250	ALL
	Instructor	$250	ALL

Aircraft Type Ratings and Pilot Salary

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