vRAF Membership
Thank you for your interest in the Virtual Royal Air Force. We are pleased that you wish to join our team here at vRAF. Before you submit your application form, we would like to introduce our organization and the expectations we set out for our members:
IF YOU ARE NEW TO FLYING, THIS MAY NOT BE THE PLACE FOR YOU!
Our flight instructors are assigned to you to assist you through your training phases accordingly. If you are unsure of how to perform at the bare minimum basic IFR (Instrument Flight Rating) procedures such as filing flight plans, following airspace restrictions, maintaining communication with ATC (Air Traffic Control), please do not apply. Each phase of your training will require a check-ride to allow you to demonstrate what you have learned so far.
WE ARE NOT A VIRTUAL AIRLINE!
The virtual Royal Air Force is a very unique organization with a challenging training curriculum that requires a skill level beyond airline-based flying. Of course, we love to have fun here but we also hold high expectations for each of our members. Our pilots must undergo an average of 20 hours of flight training before being considered as a Combat Ready pilot. We will take you through each step of the training process with the guidance of a certified vRAF QFI (Qualified Flight Instructor). If you are looking to perform 'Point A to Point B' type of flying, we suggest that you do not continue with this application.
OUR TRAINING IS UNIQUE!
We have gathered documentation, based on real-world procedures, we then use these on the day to day operations. No doubt there will be parts which, you as a pilot, will not have come across before. However, don't worry, our QFI's are ready to help and will guide you through. The training on vRAF is designed, not only to test for abilities but also let you learn new skills.
REQUIREMENTS FOR MEMBERSHIP!
If you are interested in joining vRAF please read the following requirements:
- You must have a valid VATSIM ID. We check each applicant to ensure they have a valid ID on file. If we cannot locate your VATSIM ID, your application will be automatically rejected.
- You must have at least 25 hours of flying IFR flights on the VATSIM network. This will be checked prior to joining failure to meet this requirement your application will be automatically rejected.
- You must own a legal copy of one of the following products:
- Microsoft Flight Simulator X
- Microsoft Flight Simulator: Steam Edition
- Prepar3D (Preferred)
- We DO NOT support FS2004
- You must be at least 16 years of age or older.
- You must own a working Microphone for use with TeamSpeak 3 and VATSIM.
- You must be able to follow basic procedures and commands while flying within an IFR environment. We will not teach you basic IFR or VFR flying skills.
- Once you pass out of OCU, you are required to fly at least two sorties every 30 days
- You must know how to utilize FSINN / vPilot and Teamspeak 3.
- Agree to the vRAF Privacy Policy found HERE
WHAT TO EXPECT:
After your application has been reviewed by the team you will be required to complete a short test to see if you have the basic knowledge required. This will be sent out via E-Mail to the address you will have provided in the application. If you do not pass the first time you will be able to resit it within 14 days. However if you don't pass it the second time you will not be eligible to join vRAF for 6 months. However if you do pass it you will be invited to join our training program outlined below.vRAF has a self-paced continuing flow of training developed to allow a pilot to train somewhat at their own pace. After signing up, you will receive an email to brief you on our requirements and provide you with instructions on how to get started. The training program we have is a in house training system conducted by our own QFI's (Qualified Flight Instructors). Once you are accepted into the vRAF CFS (Central Flying School), you will have fourteen (14) days to complete your first flight. Failure to complete your first flight in that timeframe will result in your immediate expulsion from CFS.
PHASE 1: AFJ / AMET
You begin your career as a Officer Cadet where you will complete your initial flight training.Pilots will be streamed though various roots of the CFS dependant on what squadron they will join in the end. Pilots will discover how to work their aircraft through basic air worthiness drills designed to ensure that you can meet the demanding tasks of a military aircraft before moving on to something faster and more complex. This is typically the time that pilots begin to familiarize themself with our procedures and introduce themselves on the forum or TeamSpeak server.
PHASE 2: AFJ / AMET Check Flight
For this phase you will have to demonstrate all the skills you have been shown during phase 1 of the training. You will fly the aircraft you have been flying during phase 1, if you are streamed FJ you will fly the BAe Hawk T.1 or if you are streamed ME you will fly the King Air. In the pilots check flight they will fly with a Senior QFI and only if they are happy the pilot it up to standard you will be passed onto Phase 3 of CFS.
PHASE 3: OCU
Here on passing the Phase 2 Check Flight the Pilot will be moved onto streamed squadron and type. Here the Pilot will learn how to fly the aircraft they selected to fly for vRAF. In this phase there is a variety of different segment like Low Level, Nav, AAR(Air To Air Refuelling) and will develop the skills already learnt from previous phases.
PHASE 4: TWC (Tactical Weapons Course) FJ ONLY
This phase of training is for Fast Jet Pilots ONLY and is where you learn how to employ the weapons systems of the aircraft. Here you will learn ACM (Air Combat Maneuvering) and basic and advanced air to ground weapon employment. Once you have covered everything within the Phase you will be classed as Mission Ready.
Additional Information:
If you are coming from another VSOA military organization you may qualify for a FAST TRACK, once our recruiter verifies your previous hours and rank. This means going straight to OCU or direct duty.
VATSIM and VSOA (VATSIM Special Operations Affiliate) Program does not place limits on how many civilian or military organizations you want to belong to. Meaning, you can join as many as you like, as long as you meet and satisfy that organization's requirements.
By clicking on the link below, you are indicating that you understand the information above and accept the terms of membership. Members are not allowed to share any files or documentation provided within the organization without explicit written permission from a member of the Air Command.
By ticking the box you accept to all the terms and conditions stated above.
