Boston Virtual ARTCC is a non-profit community of aviation enthusiasts, students, and professionals. The organization connects virtual pilots and virtual air traffic controllers through the VATSIM network for the purposes of flight simulation and training. Anyone can connect and fly within BVA's airspace using any simulator platform, and may fly aircraft online as a pilot. Those who wish to direct aircraft as an Air Traffic Controller must pass an online exam and become a member of BVA. BVA controllers operate in an environment designed to reproduce most aspects of real-world air traffic control. The VATSIM server is online 24 hours per day, seven days a week. People may fly within the Boston Virtual ARTCC at any time, regardless of whether or not there are controllers online.
Community History
Boston Virtual ARTCC
Boston Virtual ATC was formed in July 2006, and served the Flight Simulator X multiplayer community. Unlike many other multiplayer servers running FSX, BVA did not open its server to the public and restricted it to members only. Prospective users had to register for membership through the BVA application process. Members connected to BVA through Flight Simulator X's multiplayer functionality, and may either fly aircraft online as a pilot, or direct member-flown aircraft as an Air Traffic Controller, in an environment designed to reproduce most aspects of real-world aviation operations. On July 13, 2015 the Boston Virtual ATC Administration Team and VATSIM's Boston ARTCC announced that the two communities would merge to form one whole organization consisting of pilots and air traffic controllers called Boston Virtual ARTCC. By combining the airline traffic common on VATSIM with the general aviation-focused traffic on Boston Virtual ATC, the new community set to offer the most realistic mix of traffic in a routinely busy environment. The increase in general aviation and internal ZBW traffic, including from Cape Air Virtual, gives controllers new opportunities to practice their craft. Controllers currently train and work together to manage what is one of the busiest airspaces on VATSIM.
Community Overview
Boston Virtual ARTCC's goal is to provide a realistic air traffic control experience and community that provides real-world pilots and aviation enthusiasts a place to enjoy and learn about aviation from the comfort of their own homes. The community strives to keep the simulation as realistic as possible by using real world communication phraseology and operating procedures. In doing so, BVA provides worthwhile training experiences to pilots in training and helps private and commercial pilots enhance skills and maintain proficiency in areas such as checklist usage, navigation, radio communications, and simulated emergencies. BVA operates exclusively in the Boston ARTCC, regularly staffing airports like Boston, Hartford/Bradley, Providence, and Nantucket.
Membership
In addition to pilot and controller interaction, BVA features a number of other attractions to encourage active participation in the community, including military enthusiasts, a virtual airline, regular events, and pilot training. In order to become a member of BVA, an applicant must pass a short quiz about the basics of flying online and about unique elements of BVA's community. Answers to the questions on the quiz are contained on other portions of BVA's website, making the examination more about reading comprehension than preconceived knowledge. Membership is not required to fly within the Boston Virtual ARTCC airspace. To become an air traffic controller on BVA's network, one must pass a longer exam taken through VATSIM. Then, the new controller begins to work with an experienced controller-mentor in on-the-job training.
Pilot Resources
Cape Air Virtual, a virtual airline based around the real world Cape Air, is exclusive to BVA and operates flights within the same airspace in which controllers normally focus. Flying similar aircraft to some of the airports that real-world Cape Air counterparts serve, the virtual airline offers a sense of purpose to some pilots operating on the network. BVA offers a Virtual FBO, with three options for pilots to improve their skills. The first is a simple orientation program, teaching the basics of flying on Flight Simulator within the BVA virtual environment. It then moves on to a self-train program, called the Pilot Ratings Program, for self-motivated pilots. The final option is a training airline, where pilots are able to receive flying lessons from experienced members.
Events
To encourage high traffic density and provide a variety of different situations for pilots, BVA often holds weekly events. These events range in focus from crowding aircraft into dense areas, closely simulating the amount of traffic the airports real world counterpart would receive, to an event that highlights a particular skill set or technique. A major BVA event and philanthropic opportunity was the Flight for the Fight, an event sponsored by a BVA member who used traffic to generate funds donated to Susan G. Komen for the Cure. During BVA's Flight for the Fight, The community generated $850.00, $450 of which was donated to the charity. BVA held a similar event in June 2012 called Cleared for the Cause, where over $1,000 was raised and contributed to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. BVA also takes part in FlightSimExpo; an annual flight simulator conference.
