Virtual airline

From Free net encyclopedia

A virtual airline is an Internet organization dedicated to the hobby of flight simulation.

Virtual airlines are non-profit organizations, although most attempt to replicate real airlines in terms of organizational structure. The most common organizational structure often includes one or more of the following positions: CEO, COO, President, Vice-President, Customer Relationship director, Operations director, and virtual pilots.

While a wide variety of virtual airlines are fictional in name and operation, other virtual airlines take the name of a real-world airline (with approval from the actual corporate entity to which they virtually represent). Some real-world airlines have been known to discourage those using their name (or other copyrighted material) and have even threatened legal action. Others (such as United Airlines) have encouraged them; in fact, for some time, the real-world United Airlines provided web hosting and a united.com subdomain for its virtual counterpart. Additionally, there are virtual airline conglomerates that run several more or less independent virtual airlines under a common brand, site design, or name.

"Pilots" who "work" for these "companies" must have a flight simulator and other computer equipment in order to perform. Usually, the airline's website keeps a record of the hours "flown" by each "pilot".

Many virtual airlines allow you to fly online on organizations such as VATSIM or IVAO. Online flying increases dramatically the realism of flight simulator by introducing realistic and live air traffic control. Most virtual airlines regularly host online events where virtual pilots can participate in group flights with hundreds of other virtual airline pilots. Technology has vastly improved since the introduction of BBS-operated virtual airlines, allowing a wider variety of tools and resources available to virtual pilots, thus enhancing realism of flight simulation.

In essence, virtual airlines are not real, however, they are considered a serious hobby that has appeal among a very wide age range of participants. It has been argued that virtual airlines provide a sandbox environment where younger members can experience the corporate environment of commercial business in the airline industry, without the risk of financial loss. They 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.

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