2012-02-02 19:04:31 -
When you look on the roster of Virtual Airlines, you notice that there is a ranking system. Depending on your rank, you’ll be flying commuter flights or the long New York to London trip in the 747. Some airlines have flight assignments that tell pilots what flight to fly and when to complete that flight or series of flights by. Others have a simple timetable that let you choose a route you’re allowed to fly. Usually, you have to complete at least one flight a month or every two weeks so the virtual airline can assure you’re still active.
A lot of Virtual Airlines require you to fly under realistic conditions, which requires you to look on your Hub page and
view current weather conditions and then set your simulator accordingly. There are also programs that integrate real weather conditions into your simulator. If you use Microsoft Flight Simulator 2000, you can simply use the Real Weather option where weather conditions will be downloaded from databases on the Internet; the weather conditions are then updated every ten minutes, requiring you to stay online during your flight (so for long flights, a second phone line or cable modem helps so you can still receive calls at home).
After completing your flight, comes the most important part, logging your hours so you can get credit for them. Most Virtual Airlines have you log the time you spent in your plane altogether (from gate to gate). After flying, log onto the airline’s Web site and click on a button or link entitled “Submit Your PIREP.” You will then fill out a form describing your flight and then submit it to the airline.
After you have flown enough hours you will advance in rank. The more hours the more planes you get to fly and the more challenging routes you’ll experience. Some airlines even offer you a management position if you fly enough. So get out there and start flying! I hope this article made the choice a little easier.
SimMiles offers virtual airlines a full PIREP system, integrated and seamless web site sotware and website hosting. For more information please contact SimMiles.
