SOP

SKYWARD AIR VIRTUAL Standard Operating Procedures Manual Commercial Passenger Operations  |  All Simulator Platforms  |  VATSIM & IVAO
Document No. SOP-001	Version 1.0	Effective 2026	Classification Internal Use

1. Introduction & Purpose

This Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) Manual governs all aspects of flight operations, member conduct, and administrative processes at Skyward Air Virtual (SAV). Skyward Air Virtual is a commercial passenger virtual airline dedicated to replicating the standards, professionalism, and excitement of real-world scheduled airline operations across a global route network.

All registered SAV members — pilots, staff, and administrators — are required to read, understand, and comply with this document in its entirety before conducting any operations under the SAV banner.

1.1 Operational Focus

FOCUS: Skyward Air Virtual operates exclusively as a commercial passenger carrier. All scheduled flights carry virtual passengers and are operated to the standards expected of a real-world commercial airline. Cargo-only and general aviation operations are outside standard SAV operations unless specifically authorized as a special event.

1.2 Supported Simulator Platforms

SAV welcomes pilots on all major flight simulator platforms. All platforms are treated equally for PIREP crediting and rank progression:

Platform	Versions Supported	Notes
Microsoft Flight Simulator	MSFS 2020 & MSFS 2024	Recommended: FBW A32NX, PMDG series
X-Plane	X-Plane 12 (preferred), X-Plane 11	Recommended: Toliss, Zibo 738
Prepar3D	P3D v5 & v6	Recommended: PMDG, Aerosoft Professional
Other platforms	Considered case-by-case	Contact staff for approval

1.3 Online Network Affiliations

SAV officially supports and encourages operations on two online ATC networks. All network-related conduct must comply with the respective network's rules in addition to this SOP:

• VATSIM (Virtual Air Traffic Simulation Network) — vatsim.net
• IVAO (International Virtual Aviation Organisation) — ivao.aero

1.4 Document Control

Field	Details
Document Number	SOP-001
Issuing Authority	Chief Operations Officer, Skyward Air Virtual
Review Cycle	Annual, or upon significant policy changes
Amendment Process	Approved by VA leadership; distributed to all members via portal and Discord
Supersedes	N/A (Initial Release)

2. Membership & Registration

2.1 Eligibility Requirements

Membership is open to all flight simulation enthusiasts, regardless of skill level or simulator platform preference. Applicants must:

• Be at least 13 years of age (under-18 participants require documented parental consent)
• Hold a valid, personal email address for account verification and communications
• Own or have access to a supported flight simulator platform
• Read, understand, and formally accept this SOP and the SAV Pilot Handbook before first flight

2.2 Registration Procedure

1. Navigate to the SAV Pilot Portal and select 'Register New Pilot'
2. Complete the application form: full name (or display name), email, simulator platform, and hub preference
3. Read and electronically accept the SOP and Pilot Handbook
4. Verify your email address via the automated confirmation message
5. Download, install, and configure the SAV ACARS tracking client
6. Choose any aircraft you like, pick any route that interests you, and fly — that is your orientation flight
7. Submit your PIREP via the ACARS client or manual form; upon approval your SAV Pilot ID (format: SAV####) is issued and you are cleared for all operations

2.3 Pilot ID, Callsign & Livery

Each pilot receives a unique SAV Pilot ID upon registration. The following identification conventions apply across all operations:

Element	Convention
Pilot ID	SAV#### (e.g., SAV0042) — used in all PIREPs and portal communications
Network Callsign	SYW + flight number (e.g., SYW1101) for VATSIM/IVAO connections
SELCAL	Register a personal SELCAL code via the portal for long-haul HF operations
Livery	SAV house livery available for download per aircraft type in the pilot resources section

3. Code of Conduct

3.1 Guiding Principles

Skyward Air Virtual holds its members to the standards expected of professional airline crew. Every interaction — whether within the VA community, on VATSIM, on IVAO, or on social media — reflects on the airline and its members. The core conduct principles are:

• Professionalism: Act with the decorum of a commercial airline pilot at all times
• Respect: Treat all members, ATC controllers, and community participants with courtesy
• Integrity: Report flights accurately; never falsify data or misrepresent your qualifications
• Safety Culture: Prioritize correct procedures over expediency, even in a simulation environment

3.2 Prohibited Actions

The following are strictly prohibited and will result in immediate disciplinary review:

• Harassment, bullying, discrimination, or targeted abuse of any kind toward any person
• Deliberate disruption of VATSIM, IVAO, or in-simulator ATC operations
• Submission of falsified PIREPs or fabricated flight data
• Impersonating another SAV member, staff, or real-world aviation authority
• Sharing account credentials or operating on behalf of another pilot
• Use of cheats, hacks, or any unauthorized tools during a logged PIREP flight
• Conduct bringing disrepute to Skyward Air Virtual in any public forum or network

3.3 Network-Specific Conduct — VATSIM & IVAO

SAV pilots flying on VATSIM or IVAO are ambassadors of the airline. In addition to all network-specific regulations, the following SAV standards apply:

• Pilots must hold the minimum network pilot rating required for the airspace they intend to enter
• Voice communication is required in all Class A and B airspace; text-only is acceptable in lower-traffic environments
• All ATC instructions must be read back accurately and followed promptly
• Pilots must file a complete IFR flight plan before connecting to the network on any SAV-designated flight
• Declare 'MAYDAY' or 'PAN-PAN' for genuine in-sim emergencies; do not declare emergencies for practice without notifying ATC first

NOTE: If you receive a network warning, suspension, or infraction report from VATSIM or IVAO while operating as SAV, you must notify VA staff within 48 hours. Failure to self-report will be treated as an aggravating factor in any subsequent disciplinary process.

3.4 Disciplinary Process

Violations are handled through a graduated process proportionate to the severity and frequency of the conduct:

Level	Action	Typical Trigger
Level 1	Written Warning	Minor, first-time infraction; procedural error
Level 2	7–14 Day Suspension	Repeated Level 1; moderate conduct violation
Level 3	30–90 Day Suspension	Serious violation; VATSIM/IVAO infraction report
Level 4	Permanent Removal	Egregious violation; repeated Level 3; data fraud

All decisions are subject to appeal within 7 calendar days by written submission to the Chief Operations Officer.

4. Flight Operations Standards

4.1 Commercial Passenger Operations — General Requirements

All SAV flights are operated as commercial passenger services. Pilots are expected to treat every flight as if real passengers are aboard, adhering to the SOPs and service standards of a professional airline. This philosophy governs every decision from preflight planning through gate arrival.

4.2 Pre-Flight Planning Requirements

The following must be completed before commencing any SAV-logged flight:

1. Select a route from the SAV published route network or submit a charter/special flight request
2. Generate an Operational Flight Plan (OFP) using SimBrief or an equivalent dispatcher tool
3. Calculate fuel: Trip fuel + 5% contingency + alternate fuel + 30-minute final reserve minimum
4. Set virtual passenger and baggage load in accordance with aircraft weight limits
5. Obtain current METAR and TAF for departure, destination, and nominated alternate
6. Review applicable NOTAMs for all airports and airways on the route
7. Brief the planned SID and STAR; load them into the FMC/FMS before departure

4.3 Simulator Realism Standards

POLICY: Skyward Air Virtual takes a flexible but structured approach to realism settings. The table below distinguishes between required and encouraged settings. Flights not meeting required settings are subject to rejection; encouraged settings are strongly recommended but not enforced.

Setting	Required State	Notes
Crash/damage/stress detection	Encouraged	Strongly recommended for realism; not strictly required
Weather	Real-world or preset	'Clear skies' default is not permitted
ATC	Required (tiered)	Preferred: VATSIM or IVAO live ATC. If no ATC is online: UNICOM self-announce is acceptable. Offline simulator ATC is permitted in rare circumstances where no network option is available.
Slew mode	Prohibited	Any use during a logged flight invalidates the PIREP
Time acceleration	4x max, cruise only	Not permitted during taxi, climb, descent, or approach
Fuel	Realistic load per OFP	Fuel cannot exceed maximum tank capacity

4.4 Stabilized Approach Policy

SAV enforces a mandatory stabilized approach policy consistent with industry standards. By the applicable gate, the aircraft must meet all of the following criteria:

• On the correct lateral and vertical flight path (within 1 dot CDI/glideslope)
• At the correct approach speed (Vref + applicable additive, +10/-5 kts maximum deviation)
• In the correct landing configuration (gear down, flaps at landing setting)
• Thrust stabilized (not idle, not full power — a stabilized power setting)
• Sink rate not exceeding 1,000 ft/min (500 ft/min within 500 ft AGL)

GATE ALTITUDES: IMC (any ceiling/visibility below VMC): Stabilized by 1,000 ft AGL.  VMC (ceiling >1,000 ft, visibility >3 sm): Stabilized by 500 ft AGL.  If not stabilized at the gate — execute an immediate go-around. No exceptions.

4.5 PIREP Submission Standards

All flights intended for logbook credit must be submitted as a Pilot Report (PIREP) via the SAV ACARS client (preferred) or through the manual submission form in the pilot portal.

• PIREPs must be submitted within 24 hours of flight completion
• All data fields must be accurate — falsification is a Level 4 disciplinary offense
• Landing rate is automatically captured by ACARS; hard landings above -600 ft/min generate a review flag
• Minimum logged flight time: 20 minutes gate-to-gate (no minimum for ultra-long-haul)
• Significant deviations (diversions, holds exceeding 30 min, emergency declarations) must be noted in the comments field

4.6 Activity Requirements

To maintain active pilot status, a minimum of one (1) approved PIREP must be submitted every 60 days. Pilots who reach 60 days without a flight will receive an automated inactivity notice. After 90 days of inactivity without an approved Leave of Absence (LOA), the account may be suspended.

Leave of Absence requests are available via the pilot portal and may be granted for periods of 30–180 days. Extended LOAs beyond 180 days require staff approval.

5. Fleet & Route Network

5.1 SAV Commercial Passenger Fleet

The following aircraft types constitute the SAV operational fleet for commercial passenger services. Each type has a dedicated type page in the pilot resources section with checklists, performance data, and recommended add-on aircraft by platform.

Aircraft	Seats (Typical)	Range	Category	Access
Embraer E175	76	2,200 nm	Regional Jet	All Ranks
Airbus A220-300	130	3,400 nm	Narrowbody	All Ranks
Airbus A320neo	165	3,400 nm	Narrowbody	All Ranks
Boeing 737-800	162	3,115 nm	Narrowbody	All Ranks
Airbus A321XLR	180	4,700 nm	Narrowbody+	All Ranks
Boeing 787-9	296	7,565 nm	Widebody	All Ranks
Airbus A330-900neo	300	7,200 nm	Widebody	All Ranks
Boeing 777-300ER	396	7,370 nm	Heavy Widebody	All Ranks

5.2 Route Network Overview

SAV operates a global commercial passenger route network spanning six continents. Routes are categorized by flight duration and aircraft type compatibility:

Category	Duration	Typical Aircraft	Example Routes
Regional	Under 2 hrs	E175, A220	Intra-regional hops, spoke services
Short-Haul	2–4 hrs	A320neo, B737-800	Domestic trunk routes
Medium-Haul	4–7 hrs	A321XLR, A320neo	Trans-continental, regional international
Long-Haul	7–12 hrs	B787-9, A330-900	Intercontinental services
Ultra Long-Haul	12+ hrs	B777-300ER, B787-9	Non-stop ultra-long haul routes

5.3 Charter & Special Flight Requests

Pilots holding the rank of Captain or above may submit Charter Flight Requests for routes not listed in the published network. Requests must be submitted via the portal at least 24 hours before the planned departure and include: proposed route, aircraft type, estimated flight time, and reason for charter designation.

6. Rank & Progression System

6.1 Rank Structure

Rank is determined by total accumulated flight hours as recorded in the official SAV logbook. Promotions are automatic upon crossing each threshold. Pilots receive a notification and profile update when promoted.

Rank	Hours	Fleet Access	Key Privileges
Student Pilot	0–10	Full Fleet	Fly any aircraft and route from day one — your first PIREP is your orientation
Second Officer	11–50	Full Fleet	Full network access; growing experience
First Officer	51–200	Full Fleet	Long-haul international routes
Senior First Officer	201–500	Full Fleet	Hub support eligibility
Captain	501–1,000	Full Fleet	Charter requests; mentoring; staff eligibility
Senior Captain	1,001–2,500	Full Fleet	Training authority; event leadership
Check Airman	2,501+	Full Fleet	Type ratings; policy advisory; exec eligibility

6.2 Orientation Flight

At Skyward Air Virtual, there is no mandatory orientation checklist, no assigned route, and no minimum flight time. Your orientation flight is simply your first submitted PIREP — fly whatever aircraft you enjoy, on whatever route interests you, for as long or as short as you like.

Once that first PIREP is approved, your SAV Pilot ID is confirmed and you are a fully active member with no restrictions on aircraft type or route selection. We believe the best way to learn is by doing — so pick a plane and go.

PHILOSOPHY: Skyward Air Virtual is realistic but flexible. We trust our pilots to challenge themselves at their own pace. There is no gatekeeping here — just a community of passionate sim pilots who love to fly.

6.3 Type Rating Program

SAV operates a voluntary Type Rating program for pilots wishing to demonstrate formal proficiency on specific aircraft types. Type ratings are evaluated by Check Airmen via a submitted check flight recording and include assessment of: systems knowledge, checklist usage, normal and abnormal procedures, and airmanship standards. Completed type ratings are displayed as badges on the pilot profile.

7. Communications & Administration

7.1 Official Communication Channels

• SAV Pilot Portal: Primary source for announcements, PIREPs, logbook, and route information
• Discord Server: Real-time community engagement, staff support, and event coordination
• Email: Formal correspondence and account management notifications

7.2 Incident Reporting

Pilots must submit an Incident Report within 48 hours for any of the following events occurring during a logged PIREP flight: weather diversion to an alternate airport; in-flight emergency declaration on VATSIM or IVAO; technical failure requiring deviation from the filed flight plan; go-around followed by a second approach at the destination. Incident Reports are submitted via the portal and are treated confidentially.

7.3 Organizational Structure

Skyward Air Virtual is governed by an executive leadership team with the following structure:

• Chief Executive Officer — Overall strategy and final authority
• Chief Operations Officer — Day-to-day operations, SOP governance, fleet management
• Director of Training — Orientation program, type ratings, check airman management
• Director of Technology — Pilot portal, ACARS system, website, and IT infrastructure
• Hub Managers — Regional hubs oversight and local pilot support
• Check Airmen — Type rating examiners, orientation reviewers, training supervisors

7.4 Staff Applications

Staff vacancies are announced on Discord and the SAV portal. All applicants must hold Captain rank or above, be in good standing with no active disciplinary actions, and have logged a minimum of 500 flight hours with SAV. Applications are reviewed on merit by the executive team.

8. Amendment Record

Rev.	Date	Section(s)	Summary
1.0	2026	All	Initial release of SAV Standard Operating Procedures Manual

IMPORTANT: This document supersedes all previous versions and informal policy communications. It is the responsibility of every SAV member to ensure they are reading the current version, available at any time from the SAV Pilot Portal.

— End of Document — SOP-001 v1.0 — Skyward Air Virtual —