Onboarding

New Pilot Orientation

Getting
Started

Skyward Air Virtual · Pilot Onboarding Guide

Welcome to Skyward Air Virtual. This guide covers everything you need to go from application to your first logged flight. Read through each section in order before reaching out to staff with questions.

On this page: 1. How to Join 2. Supported Sims 3. Rank Structure 4. VATSIM / IVAO 5. First Flight 6. Filing a PIREP 7. Rules & Conduct

01

How to Join

Application & approval process

Joining Skyward Air Virtual requires a short application through our website. Applications are reviewed by staff and you will receive a decision within a few days. There is no fee to join.

1

Visit the Skyward Air Virtual website

Navigate to our website and locate the Join Us or Apply Now button on the homepage.

2

Complete the application form

Fill in your details including your name, preferred callsign, simulator platform, and a brief introduction. Be honest about your experience level — all skill levels are welcome.

3

Wait for staff review

Applications are typically reviewed within 48–72 hours. You will be notified of the outcome via the contact method provided in your application.

4

Receive your pilot ID & credentials

Upon approval, you will be issued a Skyward Air Virtual Pilot ID and granted access to the crew portal, ACARS system, and this Doc Center.

ℹ

Already applied? If it has been more than 72 hours with no response, please contact staff through the website's contact page or reach out on our community channels.

02

Supported Simulators

Platforms you can fly with us on

Skyward Air Virtual supports all major flight simulation platforms. You are free to fly on any of the following — you do not need to own more than one.

🖥

Microsoft Flight Simulator

MSFS 2020 / 2024

Supported

✈

X-Plane

X-Plane 11 / 12

Supported

🛫

Prepar3D

P3D v4 / v5 / v6

Supported

📡

VATSIM / IVAO

Online ATC Network

Optional

💡

Flying on VATSIM or IVAO is optional but encouraged. You can fly offline with manual PIREPs or use our ACARS system for automatic flight tracking on any supported platform.

03

Rank Structure

Progression, hours & pay rates

All new pilots join at the New Pilot rank. You progress automatically as you log flight hours through ACARS or approved manual PIREPs. There are no tests or applications required to rank up — just fly.

Rank	Min. Hours	ACARS Pay/hr	Manual Pay/hr	Restrictions
New Pilot	0	$50 USD	$25 USD	None
Junior Flight Officer	50	$50 USD	$25 USD	None
Flight Officer	150	$100 USD	$50 USD	None
Junior First Officer	250	$250 USD	$250 USD	None
First Officer	500	$500 USD	$250 USD	None
Senior First Officer	750	$500 USD	$250 USD	None
Captain	1,000	$750 USD	$375 USD	None
Senior Captain	2,000	$900 USD	$450 USD	None

💰

Pay rates are virtual currency within the Skyward Air Virtual economy. ACARS-tracked flights pay at a higher rate than manually filed PIREPs, so setting up ACARS is recommended.

04

VATSIM & IVAO Setup

Flying on online ATC networks

VATSIM and IVAO are free online networks that connect real pilots and air traffic controllers in the simulator. Flying on these networks is entirely optional at Skyward Air Virtual, but adds a significantly more realistic experience.

1

Register on VATSIM or IVAO

Visit vatsim.net or ivao.aero and create a free account. You will be issued a unique network ID (CID).

2

Download a pilot client

Install a compatible pilot client for your simulator. Popular options include vPilot (MSFS/P3D), XPilot (X-Plane), or Swift (all platforms) for VATSIM. IVAO uses Altitude.

3

Complete the network pilot rating

Both networks require a short online theory test before your first flight. This covers basic phraseology and procedures. Study materials are available free on both websites.

4

Add your network ID to your pilot profile

Once registered, add your VATSIM CID or IVAO VID to your Skyward Air Virtual pilot profile so flights can be cross-referenced and logged correctly.

📖

For a full VATSIM/IVAO setup walkthrough specific to our operation, see VATSIM and IVAO Setup Guide.

05

Your First Flight

From dispatch to landing

Once approved and set up, here is how a standard Skyward Air Virtual flight works from start to finish.

1

Select a route

Browse available routes in the crew portal or choose any route in our network. Check the Fleet Overview and Assignments page to confirm which aircraft type is assigned to your chosen route.

2

Review the SOP for your aircraft type

Before departing, review the relevant aircraft type guide and the Standard Departure Procedures to ensure you are flying to our standard.

3

Connect ACARS or prepare a manual PIREP

Launch the ACARS client and connect before pushback if using automatic tracking. If flying manually, note your departure time, fuel, and route details to file afterwards.

4

Fly the route

Complete the flight. Follow our SOPs for departure, cruise, and arrival. If flying on VATSIM or IVAO, follow ATC instructions at all times.

5

File your PIREP

After landing, ACARS will automatically submit your flight report. If flying manually, submit a PIREP through the crew portal within 24 hours of completing the flight.

06

Filing a PIREP

Logging your flights manually

A PIREP (Pilot Report) is how your flight hours and pay are logged in the system. ACARS does this automatically. If you flew without ACARS, you must submit a manual PIREP.

1

Log in to the crew portal

Navigate to the PIREP section of the Skyward Air Virtual crew portal on our website.

2

Fill in your flight details

Enter your departure and arrival airports (ICAO codes), aircraft type, flight duration, departure time (Zulu/UTC), and any relevant remarks.

3

Submit for review

Manual PIREPs are reviewed by staff before being approved. Approved PIREPs will credit hours and pay to your pilot account. Allow up to 48 hours for review.

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Note: Manual PIREPs pay at a lower rate than ACARS-tracked flights. See PIREP Filing Guide for full details and field-by-field instructions.

07

Rules & Conduct

What we expect from all pilots

Skyward Air Virtual is a community built on professionalism and mutual respect. All pilots are expected to uphold the following standards at all times.

✓

Fly realistically. Follow SOPs, use correct callsigns, and operate aircraft within their performance limits.

✓

Be respectful. Treat all staff, pilots, and ATC controllers with courtesy in all community spaces.

✓

File accurate PIREPs. Only log flights that were genuinely completed. Falsified reports will result in removal.

✓

Stay active. Pilots who are inactive for 60 days without a leave of absence notice may be removed from the roster.

✗

No trolling or griefing on VATSIM, IVAO, or in community channels. This reflects on the entire VA.

✗

No PIREP fraud. Do not submit flights that did not take place or inflate flight times. Zero tolerance policy.

⚠

Violations of conduct rules may result in a warning, suspension, or permanent removal from Skyward Air Virtual depending on severity. Staff decisions are final.

Ready to fly?

You've completed the Getting Started guide. Here are your next recommended pages.

• First Flight Checklist — A printable pre-flight checklist for your first SAV flight
• Fleet Overview and Assignments — See what aircraft you can fly at your rank
• Standard Departure Procedures v3.2 — Current SOP for all departures
• PIREP Filing Guide — Full manual PIREP walkthrough