User:Tofutwitch11/Boston Virtual ATC

Boston Virtual ARTCC (BVA) 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 (the Boston ARTCC) 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

The VATSIM server is online 24 hours per day, seven days a week (including holidays). People may fly within the Boston Virtual ARTCC at any time, regardless of whether or not there are controllers online.

Boston Virtual ATC
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.

Virtual Boston ARTCC
Multiplayer functionality has been included in previous releases at least as far back as Microsoft Flight Simulator 98, with gradual improvements made to each subsequent version. However, the multiplayer experience has been completely overhauled in Microsoft Flight Simulator X, offering better synchronization and graphics rendering to significantly improve realism.

This overhaul unveiled Flight Simulator's new "Shared Skies" feature that allows a pilot to share their cockpit with a co-pilot, instructor, and/or observer(s) in the same session. This opens the door to numerous customizable interactive scenarios, including orientation flights, flight instruction, real-time cockpit resource management practice, virtual airline realism, adventures, and many others.

While support for GameSpy-based FSX multiplayer was discontinued, communities like Boston Virtual ATC that host their own sessions are still accessible via a direct connection method that bypasses the former GameSpy-based lobby. BVA's services have not been affected by the shuttering of GameSpy.

Boston Virtual ATC is differentiated from large, international networks such as VATSIM and IVAO in that users connect to the server without the need for any add-on clients.

Community Overview
Boston Virtual ATC'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 (although flights flown online cannot be officially counted toward real-world flight 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 (fixed base operator), 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 FlightSimCon; an annual flight simulator conference held at the New England Air Museum, just outside of Hartford, Connecticut.