Flying
Booking Flights
Learn how to book, prepare for, and complete flights with Virtual Air Canada Airline
Flight Booking System
Virtual Air Canada Airline offers a comprehensive flight booking system that simulates real-world airline operations. This guide will walk you through the process of finding, booking, and completing flights.Finding Available Flights
Route Network
Route Network
VACA operates a route network based on real Air Canada routes, including:
- Domestic Canadian routes
- US transborder operations
- International long-haul flights
- Seasonal destinations
- Regional Express operations
Aircraft Fleet
Aircraft Fleet
Select from aircraft in the Air Canada fleet:Air Canada Mainline
- Widebody:
- Boeing 777-300ER (77W) - 19 aircraft
- Boeing 777-200LR (77L) - 6 aircraft
- Airbus A330-300 (333) - 20 aircraft
- Boeing 787-9 (789) - 32 aircraft
- Boeing 787-8 (788) - 8 aircraft
- Narrowbody:
- Airbus A321-200 (321) - 20 aircraft
- Boeing 737 MAX 8 (7M8) - 45 aircraft
- Airbus A220-300 (223) - 34 aircraft
- Airbus A320-200 (320) - 21 aircraft
- Airbus A319-100 (319) - 3 aircraft
- Mitsubishi CRJ900 (CR9) - 35 aircraft (operated by Jazz)
- Embraer E175 (E75) - 25 aircraft (operated by Jazz)
- De Havilland Dash 8-400 (DH4) - 46 aircraft
- Airbus A321-200 (321) - 14 aircraft
- Airbus A320-200 (320) - 5 aircraft
- Airbus A319-100 (319) - 18 aircraft
Jumpseat System
By default, pilots are assigned to one of the Air Canada hub airports as their home base. However, you may want to start flights from other airports based on your preferences or to build specific routes. The Jumpseat system allows you to reposition to any airport in the network without having to fly there first.Using Jumpseat
Using Jumpseat
The Jumpseat feature simulates a pilot traveling as a passenger on commercial flights to reach a new starting point:
- Access the Jumpseat option in the Pilot Hub through the “Flight Centre” → “Book Flights” feature
- Select your desired destination airport from the complete list of airports in the VACA network
- Confirm your Jumpseat request to instantly change your pilot’s location
Jumpseat Restrictions
Jumpseat Restrictions
While the Jumpseat system offers flexibility, some limitations apply:
- You cannot book a Jumpseat while you have an active flight assignment
- Any airport in the VACA network can be selected as a Jumpseat destination regardless of pilot rank
Booking Process
Follow these steps to book a flight in the Pilot Hub application:1
Navigate to Flight Booking
Open Pilot Hub and select the “Flight Booking” tab from the main navigation menu.
2
Select departure airport
Choose your departure airport:
- Select from a list of VACA hubs
- Choose your current aircraft location
- Search for a specific airport code
Starting from a VACA hub gives you more route options compared to non-hub airports.
3
Choose destination and route
After selecting your departure, you’ll see available destinations:
- Browse destinations categorized by region
- View route details including distance and estimated flight time
- Check aircraft types available for the route
- Select your preferred routing (direct or with connections)
4
Select aircraft
Choose an aircraft for your flight:
- View available aircraft for your selected route
- Check aircraft specifications and requirements
- Verify that the aircraft is appropriate for your pilot rank
Ensure you have the correct aircraft model in your flight simulator before booking. Using an incorrect aircraft during the flight may result in the flight not being validated.
5
Schedule and confirm
Set your flight details:
- Choose a departure date and time
- Review the flight summary (route, aircraft, estimated duration)
- Add optional flight notes
- Click “Confirm Booking” to finalize
Departure Time Management
After booking your flight, you have two options for managing your departure time to align with your simulator session:Adjusting Departure Time in Flight Booking
Adjusting Departure Time in Flight Booking
You can modify your scheduled departure time directly in the Flight Booking system:
Navigate to the “Dispatch Details” section in your flight booking interface.
Click on the “Time Setter” option to access departure time controls.
1
Access Dispatch Details
Navigate to the “Dispatch Details” section in your flight booking interface.2
Open Time Setter
Click on the “Time Setter” option to access departure time controls.3
Configure timing
Adjust the following parameters:
- Departure Time: Set your preferred departure time
- Flight Preparation Time: Allow time for pre-flight procedures
- Extra Minutes: Add buffer time for unexpected delays
This method is ideal when you want to maintain realistic world time in your simulator while scheduling flights at convenient times.
Adjusting Simulator Time
Adjusting Simulator Time
Alternatively, you can adjust your flight simulator’s time to match your booked departure:
- Set your simulator’s time and date to match your scheduled departure
- This maintains the authenticity of flying at the actual scheduled time
- Particularly useful for flights with specific lighting conditions (sunrise/sunset departures)
Flight Preparation
After booking your flight, prepare for departure:- Load Flight in ACARS: Open Pegasus ACARS and load your booked flight from the “My Flights” section
-
Flight Planning:
- Download your flight plan (available in Pilot Hub and ACARS)
- Review route, SIDs, STARs, and approach procedures
- Check weather conditions at departure and arrival airports
- Calculate fuel requirements based on distance and weather
-
Aircraft Setup:
- Launch your flight simulator
- Select the correct aircraft model
- Position at the departure airport
- Set up your aircraft according to procedures
Time Acceleration Guidelines
While time acceleration is permitted in certain circumstances, we encourage pilots to fly as realistically as possible for the best experience.
When Time Acceleration is Allowed
When Time Acceleration is Allowed
Time acceleration may be used during:
- Cruise phase only - Once you’ve reached your cruise altitude and are established in level flight
- Long-haul flights where cruise segments can be several hours
You must return to normal speed (1x) for all critical flight phases including takeoff, climb, descent, approach, and landing.
Prohibited Time Acceleration
Prohibited Time Acceleration
Time acceleration is not permitted during:
- Takeoff and initial climb phases
- Descent and approach phases
- Landing and taxi operations
- Any phase requiring precise aircraft control
Impact on Flight Hours and Points
Impact on Flight Hours and Points
When using time acceleration:
- ACARS automatically detects and reports time acceleration usage
- Points and logged hours may be deducted to maintain fairness
- This ensures equity between pilots who use acceleration and those who don’t
Flight Completion
After landing and arriving at your gate:- Shut down your aircraft according to procedures
- Complete the flight in Pegasus ACARS by clicking “End Flight”
- Add any comments or notes about the flight
- Submit your flight report
- Your flight will be validated and added to your logbook automatically
Charter and Special Flights
In addition to scheduled service routes, VACA offers:- Charter Flights: Custom routes for special events
- Group Flights: Organized community events with multiple pilots
- Cargo Operations: Dedicated freight routes
Need Help?
If you encounter issues with flight booking or operations:- Check the Troubleshooting Guide for common problems
- Ask in the #flight-support channel on our Discord server
- Contact a Pilot Mentor for personalized assistance
- Submit a support ticket through Pilot Hub