RCAF Logo RCAFv
Join RCAFv
RCAF Logo

Application for Officer Commissioning

Join the ranks of the Virtual Royal Canadian Air Force

Important Information

Thank you for your interest in joining the Virtual Royal Canadian Air Force. Before you apply for a commission, please read over the following requirements and regulations to ensure you will have the highest quality of training.

If you are interested in joining our organization, please read the following requirements:

  1. You must have a valid VATSIM CID. If we cannot locate your VATSIM CID, your application will be automatically rejected.
  2. You must own a legal licence to use one of the following programs:
    • Lockheed Martin Prepar3d v4/v5 Preferred
    • Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 Preferred
    • Lockheed Martin Prepar3d v3
    • Microsoft Flight Simulator: Steam Edition
    • Microsoft Flight Simulator X
    • X-Plane 10 or 11 Not Authorized for CF-118 pilots
    • VRS Simulations Tacpack Required for CF-118 Pilots
    • Digital Combat Simulator (DCS) Optional - Not Operational
  3. Additionally you may be required to be able to run the following products:
    • FSX@War Required for CF-118 Pilots
    • JoinFS Required for ALL Pilots
  4. You must be at least 16 years of age or older.
  5. You must be able to follow basic procedures and commands while flying on the VATSIM network. A score of 80% is required on the entry exam. (See Training Section)
  6. Once you complete training, you must be able to fly the minimum required flights for your duty status (see below).
  7. You must know how to utilize FSINN, FSCopilot*, vPilot, Swift, XSquawkbox, and Discord.

* - Although software may marginally be able to connect to the network (albeit with additional software itself), it is outdated, and is thus not supported by our technical staff.

On enrollment, you will choose a duty commitment, which will allow you to participate in a meaningful way that fits in with your schedule. All members must commit to a minimum of two flight sorties every 30 days.

Active Duty
Minimum of two (2) flights per month, and agree to at least four deployments per enlistment year.
Reserve Duty
Participate in two (2) joint operations per calendar year.

Joint Operations will be listed on the Operations Calendar at least 3 months in advance.

Military operations are covered by the VATSIM Special Operations Policy and Procedures Manual. VSOA training programs must include at least 10 hours of creditable instructional training. Our approved syllabus may exceed that minimum and is structured as follows:

Phase I Training consists of two subphases:

  • Entry Exam (Phase IA): Will ensure pilots have basic knowledge of flight principles. Upon completion of this exam, the candidate will be appointed as an Officer Cadet (vOCdt) until completion of Phase III.
  • Phase IB – Primary Flight Qualification: Will be conducted in the Grob 120A (or like aircraft) before pilots will advance to further training.

Phase II consists of basic training modules to ensure the prospective pilot has the requisite knowledge of flight mechanics.

  • Phase IIA: Trainees for all fixed wing airframes will train for one hour in the CT-156 Harvard II, while rotary wing trainees will fly in the CH-139 Jet Ranger.
  • Phase IIB: Prospective fighter pilots will complete a second hour of Phase IIA training in the CT-156 before advancing to Phase III.

Phase III will be an examination for all pilots.

  • Transport & patrol pilots will train five hours in the CT-142 Dash-8.
  • Fighter pilots will continue in the CT-156 Harvard and rotary will train in the CH-139 Jet Ranger.
Upon completion of Phase III, all pilots will receive their flight wings, receive His Virtual Majesty's commission as a v2LT and will be military airman qualified.

Pilots will be assigned to their training squadrons for operational and advanced training in their assigned airframes.

Rotary, Transport & Patrol Pilots:

Training in this phase will consist of local area orientation flights and four hours of flight in their assigned airframe.

Upon completion of these requirements, transport, rotary and patrol pilots will be certified as "operationally qualified", and certified to conduct airframe specific military operations.
Fighter Pilots:

Pilots will initially move to CFB Cold Lake (CYOD) or CFB Bagotville (CYBG), depending upon force needs. Pilots will initially conduct eight hours of training in the CF-188 Hornet, which will consist of four hours initial training and four hours of advanced training.

Pilots who complete the CF-188 program will be spot promoted to vCaptain, and will be certified to conduct military combat operations in the CF-188.

Ready to Begin Your Journey?

If you meet all the requirements and are ready to join the Virtual Royal Canadian Air Force, click below to start your application.

Start Your Application