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This page consolidates the most important information for Virtual Air Canada Airline pilots. Use it as a quick reference before and during your flights, with links to detailed guides for more information. Pilot One-pager

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Booking your flight

Before flying, you need to book a flight through the Pilot Hub:
  1. Navigate to Flight Booking in the Pilot Hub
  2. Select your departure airport (VACA hubs offer more route options)
  3. Choose your destination and route
  4. Select an appropriate aircraft for the route
  5. Schedule your departure time and confirm
Use the Jumpseat feature to reposition to any airport in the network without flying there first.
For the complete booking process and departure time management, see the Booking Flights Guide.

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Allowed aircraft

You must fly the aircraft type that matches your booked flight. Using incorrect aircraft types may result in your flight being rejected.
Always verify your booked aircraft before starting your simulator.
For the complete list of accepted aircraft and approved substitutes, see Accepted Aircraft.

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Accepted liveries

All aircraft must display a correct Air Canada livery. Default simulator liveries or incorrect airline liveries are not acceptable. For the complete list of accepted liveries, see Accepted Liveries.

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Flight procedures (gate to gate)

Follow these procedures for a safe and valid flight:
1

Pre-flight preparation

  • Load your flight in Pegasus ACARS from “My Flights”
  • Download and review your flight plan (route, SIDs, STARs, approaches)
  • Check weather at departure and arrival airports
  • Calculate fuel requirements
  • Set up your aircraft in the simulator at the departure gate
2

Pushback and taxi

  • Request pushback and start engines according to procedures
  • Taxi to the assigned runway using designated taxiways only
  • Follow all ground markings and hold short instructions
3

Takeoff and climb

  • Ensure aircraft is configured properly for takeoff based on your aircraft’s operating manual
  • Perform takeoff from the runway threshold
  • Follow your assigned SID (Standard Instrument Departure)
  • Climb to your cruise altitude as per your flight plan
4

Cruise

  • Maintain your cruise altitude and speed
  • Monitor fuel consumption and systems
  • Time acceleration is permitted during this phase only (long-haul flights 3+ hours, above 20,000 feet)
5

Descent and approach

  • Begin descent as per your flight plan
  • Follow your assigned STAR (Standard Terminal Arrival Route)
  • Configure aircraft for approach
  • Ensure time acceleration is disabled (return to 1x speed)
6

Landing and taxi-in

  • Land on the assigned runway
  • Exit the runway and taxi to your assigned gate using designated taxiways
  • Follow all ground markings
7

Shutdown at gate

  • Park at the gate and shut down engines
  • Complete the flight in Pegasus ACARS by clicking “End Flight”
  • Submit your flight report

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Time acceleration and simulator pausing

  • Allowed: During cruise phase only (at least 20,000 feet), on flights 3 hours or longer
  • Not allowed: Short haul flights under 3 hours
  • Not allowed: During takeoff, climb, descent, approach, or landing
  • Must return to 1x speed before beginning descent
  • ACARS tracks usage and may deduct points/hours
  • Pausing is allowed at any time during your flight
  • No penalty for pausing during any flight phase
  • ACARS will continue tracking correctly when you resume
For complete details, see the Flight Simulator Guide.

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Prohibited actions

The following actions are prohibited and will result in your flight being invalidated (0 hours, 0 points awarded). Multiple rule violations may result in a permanent ban from the airline. ACARS automatically tracks your aircraft position and flight parameters at all times.
Ground operations:
  • Taxiing on grass - You must remain on paved surfaces at all times
  • Taxiing outside designated taxiways - Follow proper taxiway routes only
  • Taking off from gates - You must taxi to and depart from a runway
  • Overspeeding during taxi - Maintain safe taxi speeds appropriate for the taxiway
Unsafe flight operations:
  • Exceeding aircraft limitations - Do not exceed maximum operating speeds (VMO/MMO), G-limits, or structural limits
  • Overstressing the aircraft - Hard landings exceeding manufacturer specifications will be flagged
  • Landing gear violations - Extending gear above maximum speed or landing with gear retracted
  • Stalling or spinning - Loss of control situations indicate unsafe flying
  • Crashing or ditching - Aircraft must arrive safely at the destination
Procedure violations:
  • Using incorrect aircraft - You must fly the aircraft type matching your booking
  • Invalid liveries - Aircraft must display an approved Air Canada livery
  • Time acceleration during critical phases - No time acceleration during takeoff, climb, descent, approach, or landing
For a complete list of PIREP statuses and what they mean, see PIREP Statuses.

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Essential resources

Booking flights

Complete guide to finding routes, selecting aircraft, and booking your flights.

Flight simulator guide

Time acceleration policies, aircraft requirements, and ACARS tracking details.

ACARS guide

How to use Pegasus ACARS to track and submit your flights.

PIREP statuses

Understanding flight report statuses and the review process.

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