Virtual airlines: Difference between revisions

From FlightGear wiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search
Line 25: Line 25:


== Current Flightgear Virtual Airlines ==
== Current Flightgear Virtual Airlines ==
Currently, some number of virtual airlines exist, with airlines made of various experiences, fleets and operations. Here is a list of some of the known virtual airlines to have existed:
Currently the FlightGear community have four widely recognized virtual airlines in operation, consisting of the following airlines:


* [[Air Royale Virtual Airlines]] << Now renamed to "Dravian Virtual Airlines"
* [[Atlas Virtual Airlines]]
* [[Atlas Virtual Airlines]]
* [[BRT Virtual Airlines]]
* [[BRT Virtual Airlines]]
* [[Flighter Airlines]]
* [[GOL & VARIG Virtual]]
* [[merlion Virtual Airlines]]
* [[merlion Virtual Airlines]]
* [[Star Alliance]]
* [[husary air]]
* [http://transgear.treborlogic.com TransGear Airways]
* [http://tsavirtual.fr.nf/index.php/ TSA - Tristar Airlines]
* [http://tsavirtual.fr.nf/index.php/ TSA - Tristar Airlines]


=== Current Alliances ===
=== Current Alliances ===
Alliances point to groups of airlines working with each other in joint operations. Currently, the following are active:
Alliances point to groups of airlines working with each other in joint operations. Currently, the following are active:
* [[Star Alliance]]
* Transgear Airways and Atlas (considered "sister VA's" and work in symbiosis)
* [[Virtual Star Alliance]]
* [[Virtual Star Alliance]]
* [[OneWorld Brasil]]
=== Current Flightgear Flying Clubs ===
* [http://flightgearfans.wordpress.com/ FlightGear Flying Club] (Defunct)


== Former Virtual Airlines ==
== Former Virtual Airlines ==

Revision as of 04:16, 8 March 2012

A virtual airline (VA) is a dedicated hobby organization that uses flight simulation to model the operations of an airline. Virtual airlines generally have a presence on the internet, similar to a real airline. There are over 100 virtual airlines of significance currently active in the internet (supporting a number of flightsims), with thousands of participants involved at any one time each using different simulator platforms.

A note

There has been a rapidly expanding number of VAs in Flightgear, and there is not enough people to support this bugeoning explosion of VAs. So think twice about creating a VA, because we're running out of pilots.

On the other hand, if you really want it and are confident, go ahead and create! This is flightgear, Fly Free! You're FREE to do what you want.

Purpose

Virtual airlines were started to give a sense of purpose to activities conducted within a flight simulator. This basic premise has evolved over time, along with available technology, to provide increasing levels of immersion but always with the same core purpose. When combined with increasingly powerful personal computers, advancing flight simulation software, and communications networks, virtual airlines are often able to provide compelling, realistic, experiences similar to operations inside a real airline. Virtual airlines also provide an avenue for members to gain access to additional content, such as aircraft and scenery, for use with their simulator. The appeal varies; for younger members, virtual airlines provide a sandbox environment where they can experience the corporate environment of commercial business in the airline industry, without the risk of financial loss. These organizations also provide an outlet for those who are interested in aviation but unable to fly themselves in real life due to financial, health, or other reasons. Most of all, its one step closer to enthusiasts feeling more involved in an airline environment and share their interests with others. Virtual Airlines also benefit the flight simulator community by providing valuable services such as ATC, events, and general help and knowledge.

Common elements

There are several elements that are common across many virtual airlines:

  • A website as the focal point of the community
  • Internet forum where discussion and social interaction can occur
  • Customized livery that users can download together with aircraft and install in their flight simulator
  • Route schedules for members to fly in their simulators
  • Multiplayer events, often on a game network such as VATSIM or IVAO
  • Less common elements include:
  • An Online database for recording and reporting flights and membership statistics
  • Dedicated game server hosting to provide private areas for members to complete flights
  • Award, rank and recognition systems
  • Voice over Internet Protocol servers for members to communicate freely by voice

Current Flightgear Virtual Airlines

Currently the FlightGear community have four widely recognized virtual airlines in operation, consisting of the following airlines:

Current Alliances

Alliances point to groups of airlines working with each other in joint operations. Currently, the following are active:

Former Virtual Airlines

Before the merger of most virtual airlines into Atlas and gradual declines of airlines following that event, several independent virtual airlines were active. These airlines, as well as airlines proposed but never actually created include the following:

Logo of most virtual airlines as of February 2010.

Airlines Merged into merlion Virtual

  • Seasonal Airlines - This branch now operates Oceania as 'Aerosuperb'
  • Dot Airways - This branch now operaties in the US as 'Cloud9'

Both Cloud9 and Aerosuperb are subsidiaries of merlion.

Airlines Merged into Atlas Virtual

Defunct Airlines

Proposed Airlines

  • Sandy Oceania Airlines
  • Triangle Airlines

Controversies

Copyright Issues

When a virtual airline is created in the image of a real world airline legal issues can arise out of copyright violations. In 2003, a real world airline, Qantas Airways Ltd., announced a new low-cost carrier by the name of Jetstar Airways. However, a virtual airline named Jetstar International Airlines already existed, complete with a web site. As part of their startup promotion, Qantas sold 100,000 airline tickets at a discount price, and the virtual airline's web site was swamped with would-be customers, job-seekers, and prospective vendors. The virtual airline sued Qantas, claiming that Qantas stole the virtual airline's livery and trademark. If you wish to create a virtual airline- Which Flightgear would be eager for you to do, Please do not base it on real life airlines to save copyright issues!

Misuse

Claims have been made of the use of both flight simulators and virtual airlines as training devices for criminal activities, although to date no conclusive link has ever been provided to indicate a situation where a virtual airline has provided flight simulation training to anyone involved in a terrorist activity. Jermaine Lindsay, one of the four 7 July 2005 London bombings, may have used flight simulators to practice flying an airliner, with an accusation that he was registered with a virtual airline. A person of the same name listed his nearest major airport as Heathrow and clocked up 30 hours in two months with SimAirline.net. The website later denied the member's linking with the bombing, and indicated it was working with the Metropolitan Police to establish whether its former member was the bomber. The website stated that it provides information about airlines and free add-on software for Microsoft Flight Simulator and does not provide flight instruction to its members. The 9/11 Commission in the US concluded in 2004 that those responsible for flying the planes into World Trade Center and Pentagon had used PC-based flight simulators for training. Despite the initial concerns of the involvement of virtual airlines in these terrorist activities, largely little has come from these claims to date and no changes have been noted as occurring in their operation as a result.

FlightGear Air Forces

For more information, check Virtual Air Forces

Current Virtual Air Forces in FlightGear