Boston Virtual ARTCC

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 pilot training.
Anyone with an account on the VATSIM network can connect and fly as a pilot within the BVA community by using one of the following flight simulators: Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020 and previous versions), Prepar3D, and X-Plane. Those who wish to direct aircraft as an Air Traffic Controller within the BVA coverage area must pass an online exam and complete varied levels of training by becoming a controller through the United States "Division" of VATSIM, called VATUSA.
The VATSIM server is online 24 hours per day, seven days a week (including holidays). People may fly within the Boston Virtual ARTCC coverage area at any time, regardless of whether or not there are controllers online.
Community History
Boston Virtual ARTCC
Boston Virtual ATC was formed in July 2006, and served the Flight Simulator X multiplayer community. Meanwhile, the Boston ARTCC (known as "vZBW") has existed on VATSIM since the network was created in 2001.
On July 13, 2015 the Boston Virtual ATC Administration Team and VATSIM's Boston ARTCC announced that the two communities would merge to form one organization consisting of pilots and air traffic controllers called Boston Virtual ARTCC. Today, Boston Virtual ARTCC is one of the only organizations on VATSIM that has both pilots and controllers as members.
Boston Logan Airport (KBOS), the largest airport within the Boston Virtual ARTCC coverage area, is often one of the busiest airports on VATSIM. As of May, 2021, KBOS ranked fifth in the world on VATSIM by total aircraft movements, and was the busiest VATSIM airport within the United States.
Community Overview
As stated on its website, Boston Virtual ARTCC'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.
Although most home flight simulator flights do not qualify for real-world flight training, the experience from using a flight simulator with human ATC can be beneficial for private and commercial pilots. Flight simulation, and particularly ATC integration, helps private and commercial pilots enhance skills and maintain proficiency in areas such as checklist usage, navigation, radio communications, and simulated emergencies.
BVA is one of several "Online Aviation" organizations that exist to enhance the experience offered by flight simulators. Other, similar groups include built-in multiplayer communities, virtual airlines, military simulations, and more.
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.
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.

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