Virtual airline
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A virtual airline (VA) is a dedicated hobby organization that uses flight simulation to model the operations of an airline. Virtual Airlines generally have a presence on the Internet, similar to a real airline.[1] It has been proposed that there are over 100 Virtual Airlines of significance currently active, with tens of thousands of participants at any one time.[2]
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[edit] History
Virtual Airlines are early examples of online gaming communities, many of the first Virtual Airlines can be traced back to the early 1990s in Flight Simulator forums of services such as AOL or CompuServe.[3][4]. Some of these Virtual Airlines are still in operation today.
[edit] Types of Virtual Airline
Virtual Airlines may be organizations that are created with no ties to any real world entity. These organizations are fictional constructs of the participants, who use the roleplaying environment of the group to add a sense of immersion to the gaming activity. It has been suggested that these are the most common form of Virtual Airline type.[5]. Without basis on a real world entity, fictional Virtual Airlines are varied in their scope of both route and aircraft fleet. Some Virtual Airlines are based on real airlines, from major carriers to small operators. Sometimes this results in controversy (see section below) relating to copyright infringments over use of company logos, livery, and marketing material.[6]. These Virtual Airlines tend to closely follow their real world counterparts in terms of aircraft fleet and routes offered.
Virtual Military and Paramilitary organizations often operate in a similar way to Virtual Airlines, but using military aircraft and ranking systems. Organizations such as VATSIM have strict regulations around the operation of such organizations within the network.[7] Virtual Militaries often specialize in one area, such as naval aviation, although there are some organizations that extend across multiple areas of military aviation and sometimes into other areas such as land and maritime operations. Virtual Flying Clubs are less structured and generall smaller than other forms of Virtual Airlines, operating in much the same was as real world Flying Clubs operate. It has been proposed that such clubs have a smaller scale than others and place a heavy emphasis on social interaction.[8]
[edit] Operation
Technology has improved since the introduction of BBS-operated virtual airlines, allowing a wider variety of tools and resources available to virtual pilots, enhancing realism of flight simulation. Pilots can now fly online using networks such as VATSIM or IVAO. While connected to the network, pilots can see other aircraft, hear and respond to Air Traffic Control and see weather conditions that parallel the real-world weather at their plane's location. Using these services, most virtual airlines regularly host online events where virtual pilots can participate in group flights with hundreds of other pilots. [9]
While virtual airlines are not real, since the flights only happen inside of a computer, they are considered a serious hobby that has appeal among a very wide age range of participants. Some even simulate real-world airlines to the point where flight dispatching and fictional salary are part of the virtual airline's basic operations. The appeal varies; for younger members, virtual airlines provide a sandbox environment where they can experience the corporate environment of commercial business in the airline industry, without the risk of financial loss. VA's 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.
[edit] Controversy
In 2003, a real world airline, Qantas Airways Ltd, announced a new low-cost carrier by the name of Jetstar Airways. However, A Virtual airline named Jetstar International Airlines already existed, complete with a web site. As part of their startup promotion, Qantas sold 100,000 airline tickets for $29, and the virtual airline's web site was swamped with would-be customers, job-seekers, and prospective vendors. The virtual airline sued Qantas, claiming that Qantas stole the virtual airline's livery and trademark.[10]
[edit] References
- ^ Radcliffe, Doug; Andy Mahood (2003). Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004: A Century of Flight (Official Strategy Guide). John Wiley & Sons, 173,189,198. ISBN 0782142370.
- ^ Mark, Robert (1999). Professional Pilot Career Guide. McGraw-Hill Professional, 330. ISBN 0071346910.
- ^ Mark, Robert (1999). Professional Pilot Career Guide. McGraw-Hill Professional, 329. ISBN 0071346910.
- ^ Lichty, Tom (1995). The Official America Online for Macintosh Tour Guide. Ventana. ISBN 1566043832.
- ^ Mark, Robert (1999). Professional Pilot Career Guide. McGraw-Hill Professional, 329. ISBN 0071346910.
- ^ Ligerakis, Maria. "Jetstar in naming stoush", B&T, 2004-05-07. Retrieved on 2008-03-26.
- ^ VATSIM Special Operations Policy Document (PDF). Retrieved on 2008-03-26.
- ^ Radcliffe, Doug; Andy Mahood (2003). Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004: A Century of Flight (Official Strategy Guide). John Wiley & Sons, 169. ISBN 0782142370.
- ^ Williams, Bruce (2007). Microsoft Flight Simulator as a Training Aid: A Guide for Pilots. Aviation Supplies & Academics. ISBN 1560276703.
- ^ Ligerakis, Maria. "Jetstar in naming stoush", B&T, 2004-05-07. Retrieved on 2008-03-26.
