I'm with AFA. Check out www.flyafa.com. You can choose your flight from the flight list. There are multiple HUBS and they are linked with pacific airways. Lots of people loved the freedom of choice for your flight instead of being assigned a flight. there is a lot of versatility between PAY and AFA hubs so you can fly anywhere. VATSIM is encouraged but not mandatory. Its based off of the honor system, although they are currently working on an ACARS system. Many pilots have been with other VA's and are happier with APG(American Flight Airways and Pacific Airways). We participate in Friday Night Ops hosted by VatUSA and we have a Fly-in every Sunday and Tues that are flown online and controlled by members of our group. I started fooling with with FS2002 and got bored quickly. I joined in Nov. and recently started on VATSIM. The purpose is to have fun and to learn at your pace. Plenty of the members are willing to answer any question you may have. Each Hub has a director and a chief pilot that will help in anyway you may need. I cant tell you how much I have learned since joining, from planning a flight to landing a plane. I noticed you are looking for purpose to your flights and I wanted the same thing, thats why I'm recommending them to you. Once again the best part about our VA is the freedom of choice for you to fly to and the willingness of the community to help and fly with you on VATSIM. AFA has been around for 20 years and not many stay around for long. Come on by you wont regret it.