Operations
Pilot Ranks & Progression
Understanding the rank structure and career progression in Virtual Air Canada Airline
Rank System Overview
Virtual Air Canada Airline uses a rank system to simulate real-world pilot career progression. As you gain experience and flight hours, you’ll advance through ranks that unlock new routes and responsibilities.
Rank Structure
Cadet
Cadet
Requirement: No RequirementsAdvancement: Complete 10 accepted PIREPs, 15 flight hours, and 100 points
Second Officer
Second Officer
Requirement: Hours: 15 | Points: 100 | Accepted PIREPs: 10Advancement: Complete 50 accepted PIREPs, 50 flight hours, and 300 points
First Officer
First Officer
Requirement: Hours: 50 | Points: 300 | Accepted PIREPs: 50Advancement: Complete 100 accepted PIREPs, 100 flight hours, and 500 points
Senior First Officer
Senior First Officer
Requirement: Hours: 100 | Points: 500 | Accepted PIREPs: 100Advancement: Complete 200 accepted PIREPs, 200 flight hours, and 800 points
Captain
Captain
Requirement: Hours: 200 | Points: 800 | Accepted PIREPs: 200
Team & Honorary Ranks
Staff Team
Staff Team
Requirement: Invitation onlyPrivileges:
- Administrative access to airline operations
- Route planning capabilities
- Event organization privileges
- Mentoring capabilities
Airport Manager
Airport Manager
Requirement: Assignment basedPrivileges:
- Manage routes to and from assigned airports
- Recommend schedule optimizations
- Monitor traffic and operations for their assigned airports
- Contribute to hub development strategies
- Organize airport-specific events
Maple Pin
Maple Pin
Requirement: First 100 pilots completing at least 1 PIREP.Privileges:
- Legendary Maple Pin badge.
- Access to Maple Pin events. (Coming Soon)
- Access to Maple Pin members merchandise. (Coming Soon)
Advancement Requirements
Rank advancement is based on several factors:Primary Requirements
Flight Hours
Total accumulated flight time in a pilot role. Hours are tracked automatically by the ACARS system.
Accepted PIREPs
Total number of successfully completed and accepted Pilot Reports (PIREPs).
Points
Points earned through various activities including flights, landing quality, and special events.
Activity
Regular activity is required to maintain rank. Extended inactivity may result in rank demotion.
Tracking Your Progress
You can track your career progression in several ways:- Pilot Hub Profile: Your main profile shows current rank and progression toward the next rank
- PIREPs: Review your completed flights and accumulated hours
- Statistics Page: View detailed breakdowns of your flight history
- Awards: Monitor special achievements that contribute to advancement
Rank promotions are typically processed automatically within 24 hours of meeting requirements. For Staff Team positions, manual review and invitation are required.
Specializations and Endorsements
Beyond the basic rank structure, pilots can earn special endorsements:- Route Specialist: Master specific routes with multiple successful flights
- Aircraft Type Rating: Demonstrate expertise with specific aircraft types
- Hub Commander: Become a specialist at a particular VACA hub
- VATSIM/IVAO Expert: Recognition for online network participation
- All-Weather Operations: Successfully complete flights in challenging conditions