I want to sincerely apologize in advance if this is covered somewhere else, because I'm so overwhelmed with all the information out there that I just need some basic questions answered.I fly heavies in FSX, namely the PMDG 747. I'm pretty confident in what I know about it. (I did not read the manual, but I can program the FMC, start up after cold and dark, etc). I don't usually fly with ATC, nor do I have traffic turned on, I just fly around wherever in FSX, but I'm looking for more in-depth flying, and more immersion.I've been reading about virtual airlines, and I have no idea what they're about! Questions:1) What level of expertise do you need to belong to a virtual airline? I am by no means a beginner, but I'm not a pro either.2) What type of time-commitment do you need? I'm a full time student, so I don't have hours a day to spend on it.3) What do they cost to join/ use their "network"4) Do my add-ons work with these virtual airlines? (PMDG and I also recently purchased the feelthere erj-145)5) Do I need to know how to "talk" to ATC?6) Do you get to fly any aircraft you want right away, or do they make you "move up" to larger aircraft based on hours?I was leaning towards United, since I already have the livery for my ERJ, as well as for the PMDG... Basically, from what I see online, they look really cool! I love how you can track other members' flights, as well as it tracks your hours, etcThanks in advance for any help and advice you all might have, and again, sorry, if this wasn't where I was supposed to post this :( - Paul

I want to sincerely apologize in advance if this is covered somewhere else, because I'm so overwhelmed with all the information out there that I just need some basic questions answered.I fly heavies in FSX, namely the PMDG 747. I'm pretty confident in what I know about it. (I did not read the manual, but I can program the FMC, start up after cold and dark, etc). I don't usually fly with ATC, nor do I have traffic turned on, I just fly around wherever in FSX, but I'm looking for more in-depth flying, and more immersion.I've been reading about virtual airlines, and I have no idea what they're about! Questions:1) What level of expertise do you need to belong to a virtual airline? I am by no means a beginner, but I'm not a pro either.2) What type of time-commitment do you need? I'm a full time student, so I don't have hours a day to spend on it.3) What do they cost to join/ use their "network"4) Do my add-ons work with these virtual airlines? (PMDG and I also recently purchased the feelthere erj-145)5) Do I need to know how to "talk" to ATC?6) Do you get to fly any aircraft you want right away, or do they make you "move up" to larger aircraft based on hours?I was leaning towards United, since I already have the livery for my ERJ, as well as for the PMDG... Basically, from what I see online, they look really cool! I love how you can track other members' flights, as well as it tracks your hours, etcThanks in advance for any help and advice you all might have, and again, sorry, if this wasn't where I was supposed to post this :( - Paul

Greetings,Just discovered your thread and related to it because I just joined a virtural airlines and had the same questions. Though I just started and am by no means an expert, I will through my $.02 your way. I just joined Pacific airways after reading about it in Computer Pilot magazine. There are a number of virtural airlines out there and they all operate basically the same way. First, there is no cost to join. With Pacific, you took a basic test and if you pass, you are hired. The test is pretty easy based on their operations manual and some basic aviation questions. You start off as a First Officer and pick a home base. In my case, it is Chicago at KORD. As a First Officer, you are authorized to fly their catagory 1 and 2 aircraft. Once you log 20 hours you are promoted and can then fly larger aircraft. You pick flights based on their schedule. You are paid virtural dollars based on the time of each flight. You have to fly X number of hours each month or you are put on an inactive status and then have to start over again from scratch if you want to fly again.You can fly your own aircraft or download their own aircraft/paints. I still haven't mastered this part of it yet. It is encouraged to join VATSIM which is a virtural air traffice control program but it is not mandatory. VATSIM is one of several out there and adds a hight degree of realism to the experience. I have not joined one as of yet. You should have some familiarity with ATC lingo if you are going to use VATSIM. You can also join VATSIM, sign on and just listen to the frequencies until you feel comfortable talking. The ultimate goal of using VATSIM is to operate your aircraft/flight as you woluld in the real world.That is it in a nut shell. I don't have a lot of time myself but it is pretty easy to log one or two flights a month at your leisure.Hope this helps,cbreeze noitis jto

There are lots of different Virtual Airlines, but one thing they all have in common is that they are about people who like aeroplanes having fun, so remember that. It's not like you are joining the army or something.One VA I do have personal experience with is WestWind, which is in fact one of the oldest Virtual Airlines there is, and I can tell you that there is no demand to do anything you don't feel like doing with WestWind, you can fly all by yourself offline and just log your flights for personal pleasure, or get involved with it more if you wish. To give you an idea of how they don't mind you having a laugh, here is a promotional video I made for them which was having a bit of a pop at cheesy airline adverts from the 1970s:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efl_sjJY6GoRemember, if you don't like a VA, you don't have to stay with them. Any VA worth its salt will be more than willing to help with any issues you have and most of them have training documents and such, since they are aware that most people who join are not necessarily a real world pilot, although you will find plenty of real world pilots in VAs. If any VA was not willing to be patient with someone if they asked questions or whatever, then nobody would want to be in their VA in the first place!Al

I don't usually fly with ATC, nor do I have traffic turned on, I just fly around wherever in FSX, but I'm looking for more in-depth flying, and more immersion.- Paul

Another option for you is using FSPassengersX. This is a very fun utility that lets you create your own airline company, create pilots that move up in rank, be judged on a per flight basis on many parameters, and to add to the fun has great cockpit ambience, cabin crew announcements, and more. The passengers will rate you, your company will go up or down in desirability and so affects the number of passengers who will board, etc. They have a nice set of failures, and you will set he failure rate but will have no warning. You will be able to call an emergency, and you will have get the plane down safely, else lose lives, damage your plane or what have you. Adds a bit more immersion for sure. When I bought this program it prompted me to pick up other payware, so could cover a variety of services, from short charter and commuter planes up to the Queen Herself, your favorite bird. Cheers,Noel

If you are at all interested in a somewhat less intensive VA than those that fly to a schedule and fly heavies, check us out. Click on my signature link for more.

Something else that is worth mentioning is two other services available. While they are not virtual airlines, they make FS9 or FSX just a little more interesting. These services are FS Economy and FlyteLine. They are both free and I never fly anymore without one or the other. I have been using FlyteLine more often than FSE but both are great in my opinion. There are groups to join if you want, or you can fly on your own. I own my own planes in each service and earn virtual $$ on each flight. You start out renting or flying for a group who pays for the gas and rental, and progress into ownership and if you are business oriented, you can have a fleet, FBO, etc. I think VAs fit in there but I'm not really sure. Also VATSIM is also suited for flying at either service but not required. I use either PFE or Radar Contact.Sorry if this information doesn't belong here.