Thank you for your interest in joining the ranks of 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.

Applicant Requirements

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

  1. You must have a valid VATSIM ID. If we cannot locate your VATSIM ID, your application will be automatically rejected.
  2. You must own a legal licence to use of one of the following programs:
    1. Lockheed Martin Prepar3d v4/v5 Preferred
    2. Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 Preferred
    3. Lockheed Martin Prepar3d v3
    4. Microsoft Flight Simulator: Steam Edition
    5. Microsoft Flight Simulator X
    6. X-Plane 10 or 11 Not Authorized for CF-118 pilots
    7. VRS Simulations Tacpack Required for CF-118 Pilots
    8. Digital Combat Simulator (DCS) Optional - Not Operational
  3. Additionally you may be required to be able to RUN the following products:
    1. FSX@War Required for CF-118 Pilots
    2. 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 minumum 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* - Although software may marginally be able to connect to the network (albeit with additional software itself), it is outdated, and is thus not supported by out techincal staff.

Duty Committments

On enrollment, you will choose a duty committment, which will allow you to particpate in a meaningful way that fits in with your schedule. All members must commit to a miminum of two flights sortie every 30 days. Active Duty pilots must commit to a minimum of two (2) flights per month, and agree to at least four deployments (joint exercises) per enlistment year, while Reserve Duty pilots must commit to participate in (2) joint operations per calendar year. Joint Operations will be listed on the Operations Calendar at least 3 months in advance.

Training Outline

Military operations are covered by the  VATSIM Virtual Airlines and Special Operations Manual. VATSIM Special Operation (VSO) Partners are required to have a minimum of 14 hours of flight training for new pilots, and as a partner organization, we abide by those regulations. Thus, our training platform is as follows:

  • Phase I Traning will cover VATSIM VSOA Regulation 2.5.2.1 and consists of two subphases:
    • The 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 (Basic Pilot Training) will cover VATSIM VSOA Regulation 2.5.2.2, and will consist of basic training modules to ensure the prospective pilot has the requisite knowledge of flight mechanics.
    • In 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.
    • In Phase IIB, prospective fighter pilots will complete a second of Phase IIA training in the CT-156 before advancing to Phase III.
  • Phase III (Military Airman Qualification) will cover VATSIM VSOA Regulations 2.5.2.3 and 2.5.2.4, and 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, recieve His Virtual Majesty's commission as a v2LT and will be military airman qualified.
  • Phase IV Training (Operational Training) covers VATSIM VSOA Regulation 2.5.2.5. Pilots will be assigned to their training squadrons for operational and advanced training in their assigned airframes.
    • Rotary, transport and 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 will initially move to CFB Cold Lake (CYOD) or CFB Bagotsville(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.
If you’re ready to join, click here, and complete your enrollment application today!