Listed below are some common questions that arise from our pilots and visitors.
If your question is not listed below please use the Pilots Forum or contact hr@bavirtual.co.uk for further help.
You may find your answer in our Airline Procedure pages situated in the Administration Department.

 PILOT MEMBERSHIP

 LAST UPDATED 12 AUGUST 2003

Q. Why does British Airways Virtual operate a 30 day flying policy ?
A. We operate this policy as part of our minimum requirements for membership. BAV feels that Pilots who join a Virtual Airline
are keen FS enthusiasts, our shortest flight is 30mins and all management are also subject to this policy. If the VA staff can fly once every 30 days and run the Virtual Airline then we see no reason why pilots cannot fulfil this basic commitment.

Q. I have applied and have been waiting for 2 weeks, what has happened ?
A. This could be one of several reasons. Below are the common reasons for rejecting applications.
1. You have been inactive on a couple of occasions in the past year and we feel that you cannot provide the time required.
2. When we checked your VATSIM PID, it was not showing your correct name or you have had your PID suspended.
3. You supplied an invalid email address. i.e Hotmail or Yahoo.

Q. What happens if I become inactive and are removed from the rosters ?
A. Pilots may re-apply for membership again, however your past record of activity will be inspected, if you did not participate fully with the basic requirements then your application WILL be denied.

Q. What Simulators do you provide support for ?
A. British Airways Virtual provides support for FS2004 & FS2002, however if you have a preceding version this is also supported.
We are unable to provide support for FLY, X-Plane or PS1.

Q. Do you have to fly Online ?
A. No. British Airways Virtual caters for both offline and online fliers.
 

Q. How do I fly the Schedules and what system do you use ?
A. British Airways Virtual uses an Offline Schedules program which is available for download in the Crew Centre, this provides the pilot with the up to date information quickly and efficiently. As we cover a large amount of routes, HTML schedules, with the exception of World Cargo, are not available at British Airways Virtual. To fly a schedule please refer to the Pilot Information Section.
 

Q. Can British Airways Virtual provide alternative aircraft for download ?
A. British Airways Virtual only operates airframes that are currently in service with British Airways.
Pilots are requested not to email the Fleet Staff with any requests of this nature.
 

Q. What is the password for the PIREP Screen and Pilots Control Panel ?
A. The password is the same as when you applied to join British Airways Virtual.
If you have forgotten your password access the Control Panel and enter your BAW ID number and your password will be emailed automatically.

Q. I cannot log into the ICC areas of the website ?
A. To log in type in your ID number and then you password that you selected when you applied for BAV.
It is also important that you select your privacy settings in Internet Explorer to LOW, as a cookie is required for a successful login.
It is also possible that you may wish to login into BAV during your hours of work on a company computer. You may experience problems depending if your company has a firewall setup... This is purely out of our control.

Q. What if I forget my forum password ?
A. The message forum has a password facility where it will send your password to the pilot's email address. This is located on the Login page.

Q. I have just had an email with my password information on it but did not request it ?
A. This has been caused by a previous member who has been removed from the rosters and has tried to access his/her old account.
 

Q. What are assigned flights ?
A. If you would prefer assigned flights at British Airways Virtual, our ICC system can allocate you some random schedules on a weekly, bi- weekly or on a monthly basis. To take advantage of this system, this will require you to access your Pilots Control panel in the Crew Centre. For more detailed information on the choices available please refer to the Pilot Information Section.

Q. How long do I have to complete the assigned flights ?
A. Various settings are available on the AF. One of these include the frequency that these flights will be sent to you.
Depending on the spare time you have available you can for example set 6 flights a week, or you can have 6 flights every 2 weeks and so on.
It is important that you do not overstretch yourself, if the flights are not completed within the specified dates which appear on your pilot log, the flights will go RED and you will not be able to fly them. The assigned flights will then take you off the AF system and and pilots will then have to re-enter into the AF system again.

Q. 1 of the assigned flights has not been removed from the list ?
A. If this occurs, then please look at the following checklist.
(a) Ensure that your flight is not displayed in RED
(b) Ensure that the flight is completed in order that is displayed on your pilot log.
(c) Ensure that the timings of previous PIREP does not overlap with the flight that you are about to commence.
 

Q. I cannot log in, but I'm sure I am using the correct password ?
A. Do not enter BAW in the field, just the id number.

Q. Does the ICC system use Cookies ?
A. Yes it does, but ICC doesn't store them on your HD. As soon as you close your browser the cookies are gone.

Q. I cannot log a flight after 7 days.
A. The ICC system does not accept any PIREPS that are over 7 days old.

Q. I have received a Password request email, I have not requested one.
A. Please do not be alarmed by this email if you receive one.
This is probably a member who has been inactive who is trying to access their old pilot account.