Vantage Aero Virtual Airlines
Standard Operating Procedures

This Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) handbook establishes standard flight and community practices for business jet operations on the VATSIM network utilizing the VANTAGE callsign on the TFDi smartCARS software for flight tracking.

 

0. Revisions

0.1 Initial version as of 07 July 2026

 

 

1. General Policy & Conduct

1.1 Network Compliance

• VATSIM Rules: Pilots must follow the VATSIM Code of Conduct.
• Communication: You must have a working microphone and use voice communication whenever possible.
• Text Mode: Text-only communication is permitted only if microphone failure occurs. Inform Air Traffic Control (ATC) immediately via text.
• Pausing: Do not pause your simulator while connected to the network. Disconnect if you must step away for more than 5 minutes.

1.2 Community Behavior

• Professionalism: Represent the virtual airlines organization in a professional behavior on all frequencies.
• Brevity: keep all communication (while inside the cockpit) messages short, brief and to the point.
• Conflict Resolution: Never argue with ATC on frequency. Comply with instructions and file a report with company management immediately after the incident, and if necessary reach out to the controller’s team (do this prior to filing a complaint with the ARTCC, Controllers are typically task saturated, and will forget to give equal priority to aircraft on the ground, or sequencing in the air).

1.3 New Hire Requirements

• Age Requirements: Under review ATM.
• Must have an active VATSIM account and ID Number, and not suspended.
• Must have a working headset w/ microphone.
• Must be able to commit at least 2 hours within the last 30 days.
• Must have a valid email and discord accounts.
• Should maintain basic aircraft control during all phases of flight.
• Attend VATSIM events in a group flight.
• Previous flight hours are non-transferable, we only maintain company flight hours.

1.4 Leave of Absence

• Reasons: Under review ATM.
• Requests: All requests are done on discord, and are submitted in the designated channel. At a minimum, it should include the start and end dates (or approximate return to flight status).
• Timeline is based off VATSIM requirements, and you must login within 90 days.

1.5 Training Requirements

• Rank Structure: Under review ATM.
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• Flight hours: 4 hours of admin flying (4 sessions for initial training)
• Basic airmanship, VFR pattern, IFR navigation (VOR/NDB/ILS), SID/STAR.

2. Flight Planning & Preparation

2.1 Route Generation

• IFR Routing: Utilize valid, current AIRAC cycle routes via SimBrief or SkyVector.
• Prefile: All flight plans must be filed on the VATSIM network prior to connecting or while parked at the gate.
• Remarks: Include the company callsign, webpage, and standard equipment codes in your flight plan remarks (OPR/AVV RMK/OPERATED BY VANTAGEAEROVA.ORG CALLSIGN=VANTAGE).

2.2 Fuel Policy

• Minimum Fuel: Total fuel must include Taxi, Trip, Alternate, and a minimum of 45 minutes of Final Reserve fuel.
• Contingency: Add 10% or 15 minutes of holding fuel for known high-traffic events (e.g., Cross the Pond, Friday Night Ops).

3. Pre-Flight & Ground Operations

3.1 Network Connection

• Gate Placement: Spawn only at general aviation (GA) ramps or corporate FBO gates. Never spawn on a runway or taxiway.
• Connection Status: Connect to the network in a "Cold and Dark" or "Turnaround" state. Set your transponder to Off or Standby.
• Though there are plenty of flights you can choose from in ACARS, you are not bound by them. You can create your own custom flights, as long as they originate from an airfield with an FBO and land at an airfield with the FBO. Airfields that are strictly military are not authorized.

3.2 ATC Clearance

• Frequencies: Check active controllers in your area. Priorities are:
  • Delivery (DEL) \ Ground (GND) 
  • Tower (TWR)
  • Approach/Departure (APP/DEP)
  • Center (CTR)
• Uncontrolled Fields: If no ATC is online, monitor and broadcast intentions on UNICOM (122.800 MHz) using standard phraseology.

3.3 Aircraft selection

• Jet Category: 
  • Very light jets - The smallest category, a very light jet offers agility to access small airports with shorter runways. In the U.S. alone, that opens up over 5,000 airports for business travel.
  • Light business jets - This category also benefits from being able to land at smaller airports while also delivering intra-continental capabilities. Light jets have been a popular option since the launch of the business jet market about 50 years ago.
  • Midsize business jets - This category emerged to accommodate transcontinental flight for larger groups of passengers. A business staple, the flexible midsize jet enables comfortable, in-cabin productivity during long flights.
  • Super midsize business jets - The super midsize category with a wide body combines speed, productivity, luxury, and ultra-range capabilities. They can climb high quickly yet comfortably, making this category a good choice for longer flights.
  • Large business jets and Heavy (“bizliner”) jets - Large business jets are purposely designed for business travel, while heavy jets (also known as “bizliners”) typically are converted commercial airline aircraft. The robust cabin of these jets can be customized for luxurious and productive flight in dedicated work spaces, conference rooms/offices, and full-service galleys. Intercontinental travel is the goal. This one is divided into Large Jets, Heavy Jets, and VIP.
• Zone Category: Zones per FBO mileage rates (Not Implemented)
  • Zone 1 Radius of 250 Miles
  • Zone 2 Radius of 500 Miles
  • Zone 3 Radius of 1000 Miles
  • Zone 4 Radius of 1000 Miles
  • Zone 5 Radius beyond 1500 miles
  • Zone 5a (International Flights outside the CONUS)
• Passengers by Category: The amount of passengers are based off which aircraft you fly, and are not to exceed that amount. The max allowable (not including crew) are:
  • VLJ = 4  within 2.0 hours
  • LJ = 8 within 3.0 hours
  • MJ = 10 within 4.0 hours
  • SMJ = 12 within 5.0 hours
  • HJ = 18 within 6.0 hours
  • LRJ = 10+ within 7.0 hours
  • VIP = 50

4. Flight Phases

4.1 Taxi & Takeoff

• Taxi Limits: Do not exceed 27 knots on straight taxiways and 10 knots in turns, and remain within the limits of your airframe (which might be lower than these values).
• Line-Up: Turn on your transponder (Mode C / XPDR) when crossing the hold short line.
• Departure: Fly the published Standard Instrument Departure (SID) as indicated on the charts. Maintain a visual scan for conflicting VFR or IFR traffic in your area.

4.2 Climb & Cruise

• Speed Restrictions: Maintain a maximum of 250 KIAS below 10,000 feet MSL unless otherwise instructed by ATC.
• Altimeter: Transition to Standard Altimeter Setting (29.92 inHg) when climbing through the transition altitude (FL180).
• RVSM: Business jets operating between FL290 and FL410 must ensure autopilot and altitude-alerting systems are on and fully functional.

4.3 Descent & Landing

• Arrivals: Program the assigned Standard Terminal Arrival Route (STAR) into the FMS prior to the Top of Descent (TOD).
• Approach: Establish a stabilized approach by 1,000 feet AFE (Instrument Meteorological Conditions) or 500 feet AFE (Visual Meteorological Conditions).
• Go-Around: Execute an immediate missed approach if the aircraft is not stabilized or if visual contact with the runway environment is lost at decision height.

5. Aircraft Separation & Emergencies

5.1 TCAS Alerts

• TCAS II: All company aircraft must operate with functional TCAS II systems.
• Resolution Advisories (RA): If a TCAS RA occurs, immediately disconnect the autopilot and follow the vertical guidance commands. Notify ATC as soon as workload permits: "Climbing/Descending, TCAS RA."

5.2 Emergency Procedures

• Network Policy: Simulated emergencies are not allowed on VATSIM unless explicitly approved by the online controller beforehand.
• Pilot Action: If an emergency occurs without prior ATC approval, disconnect from the network immediately to avoid disrupting other traffic.

6. Post-Flight Procedures

6.1 Arrival at Destination

• Clearing Runway: Exit the runway quickly and do not stop until past the hold short lines.
• Transponder: Switch your transponder back to Standby mode upon leaving the runway.
• Parking: Taxi to the designated FBO or GA ramp area.

6.2 Flight Logging

• Shutdown: Power down the aircraft engines and electrical systems.
• PIREP: Submit your Pilot Report (PIREP) through the company dispatch smartCARS.
• Disconnect: Disconnect from the VATSIM network before closing your simulation software.
• Manual PIREPS: when submitting a manual PIREP, you are to also to include the link of the flight, within 24 hours of flight completion.