2013-05-31T19:13:23Z

Davidtodorovic: Union Virtual Airlines

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.

== 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 ==

{{Virtual airline summary
|name = Air Lanaudière - NorskAir
|established =
|logo = Alqlogo.png
|status = Active
|niche =
|has-atc =
|callsign =
* ALQxxxx
* ALExxxx
* ALXxxxx
* NKAxxxx
* NKHxxxx
|history =
|fleet =
* Cessna Caravan
* ATR72-500
* Embraer E-170LR
* Embraer E-190LR
* Airbus A318
* Airbus A319
* Boeing 777-200LR
* Boeing 787-8
|main-hub = CYUL
|hubs =
* CYUL (ALQ, ALE)
* CSK3 (ALE)
* CSM5 (ALE)
* CYMX (ALX)
* ENGM (ALX, NKA)
* ENBR (NKH)
|map =
|website = http://www.airlanaudiere.com
|forum =
}}

{{Virtual airline summary
|name = BRT Virtual Airlines
|established = Nov 2010
|logo = LOGO_BRT_VIRTUAL_AIRLINE_big.png
|status = Active
|has-atc = Yes, FGCom / FlightGear
|callsign = BRT<pilot>
|history = Founded in Nov 2010, BRT has strived to achieve excellence in flying in FlightGear, and to create a quality community in flightsims.
|fleet =
* 737-300 (8)
* 747-800i (4)
* 777-200ER (17)
* 787-800 (8; all grounded)
* E190-200 (22)
* DHC6-300 (5)
|main-hub = UKBB
|hubs =
* VHHH
* KSFO
* NZAA
|map =
|website = http://brtvirtualairlines.com
|forum =
}}

{{Virtual airline summary
|name = Century Airlines
|established = March 2012
|logo = Calogo.png
|status = Active
|has-atc = FGCom, RaidCall, Mumble
|callsign = CAxxxxx
|history = Century Airlines was born on March 25, 2012 from an idea to change the system used by the virtual airlines in FlightGear and allow virtual pilots to have more freedom when flying. The airline began with a diffusion through FG community forums (not official), then it began a gradual expansion of a new system for pilots and their way of flying in a virtual airline. On January 25, 2013 Century Airlines got more than 500 reported flights from its virtual pilots.
|fleet =
* Airbus A330-243 (2)
* Airbus A340-600 (2)
* Airbus A321-231 (2)
* Airbus A320-214 (5)
* Airbus A319-111 (4)
* Airbus A318-111 (4)
* CRJ-700 (9)
* 787-8 (3)
* 747-8i (3)
* 777F (5)
* 777-200ER (5)
* 777-200LR (4)
* CRJ-200 (1)
* Citation X (1)
* DHC8-Q300 (3)
|main-hub = SKBO
|hubs =
* LEMD
* SAEZ
* SBGL
|map =
|website = http://centuryairlines.jimdo.com/
|forum = http://centuryairlines.forumbuild.com/
|registration = http://centuryairlines.jimdo.com/become-century-pilot/
}}

{{Virtual airline summary
|name = Global Virtual Airlines
|established = April 2010 (as Atlas Virtual Airlines)
|logo = Globalair 20.jpg
|status = Active
|niche =
|has-atc = YES, FGCom
|callsign = GVAxxxx
|history =
|fleet =
* 737-300
* 737-900
* 747-8i
* 777-200ER
* 787-8
* B1900D
* CRJ700LR
* DHC6-300
* DHC8-400Q
* Il-96-400
* MD-81
|main-hub = EDDF
|hubs =
* KDEN
* KJFK
* TNCM
|map =
|website = http://globalvirtualair.com/
|forum = http://www.globalvirtualair.com/forum/
}}

{{Virtual airline summary
|name = Merlion Virtual Airlines
|established = November 2010
|logo = Merlionvalogo.png
|status = Active
|has-atc =
|callsign = MIAxxxx
|history = Will soon be added to the Information area of the website.
|fleet =
* Airbus A320NEO (CFM LeapX) (69)
* Airbus A330-243 (16)
* Airbus A330-343 (10)
* Airbus A380-842 (4)
* ATR72-500C (17)
* Boeing 757-200PF (17)
* Boeing 777-200ER (19)
* Boeing 777F (5)
* Boeing 787-8 (6)
* Bombardier CRJ200LR (18)
* Bombardier CRJ700LR (28)
* Cessna C172P Skyhawk
* de Havilland Canada DHC6-300
* Embraer ERJ170-100LR (47)
* Embraer ERJ190-100LR (11)
|main-hub = WSSS
|hubs =
* KLAX
* EGKK
* ELLX
* KMEM
|map =
|website = http://www.flymerlion.org/
|forum = Soon to be included in the website.
}}

{{Virtual airline summary
|name = Virtual Air Canada
|established = May 2013
|logo = ACA Logo.png
|status = Just Opened, looking for pilots
|callsign =
* ACAxxx
* ACTxxx
|history = Founded in May 2013 on the 11th. We hope to bring realism to the airline and community. We hope that this'll turn into a good airline in the future.
|fleet =
* B1900D
* Embraer E175
* A320NEO (Will be leased out soon for 737NG)
* ATR72-500
* 777-200LR
* A330-300
|main-hub = CYYZ
|hubs =
* CYVR
|website = http://virtualaircanada.x10.mx/
|forum = Soon be added onto the website
}}

{{Virtual airline summary
|name = Union Virtual Airlines
|established = May 2013.
|logo =
|status = Active
|has-atc = No
|callsign = UVAxxx
|history = Started in May 2013,Union VA itself,emerged out of the need for a diferrent VA. Out of the need for a VA which will have the freedom as the priority. Out of the need to explore the world,to land at most exciting airports,to search for some hidden places,thriling airports... To give a chance to our pilot to fly on some of the best airliners of today,and to fly where and when they want to,when flying for our charter division,called Union International. To give our pilots a chance to make this airline better,the freedom to suggest,change,quote..the chance to activly participate in the growth of this airline.
|fleet =
* Cessna 208 Grand Caravan
* DHC-8 400
* CRJ 900
* Boeing 737-300
* Boeing 757-200

|main-hub = LYBE
|hubs =
* LYTV
* EDDM
* OLBA

|map =
|website = http://unionvirtualairlines.jimdo.com/
|forum = http://www.flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=20076
}}

[[Category:Virtual airlines| ]]

== Defunct Flightgear Virtual Airlines ==

{{Virtual airline summary
|name = Cresder Nixrof
|established = November 2010
|logo = CNA_logo_with_hawk.png
|status = Defunct
|niche =
|has-atc = No
|callsign = CNAxxxx
|history = Dissolved January 2012
|fleet =
|main-hub =
|hubs =
* OLBA
* WMKK
* EGKK
* YSSY
* KSTL
* SBGR
|map =
|website =
|forum =
}}