Boston Virtual ATC

Boston Virtual ATC (BVA) is a non-profit multiplayer virtual air traffic control community for . Users connect to BVA’s session through FSX’s multiplayer feature and fly online as a pilot or direct traffic as an . Unlike many other multiplayer servers running on FSX (such as FS Multiplayer), BVA’s session is not available to anyone; users must complete an application and be approved before accessing certain parts of BVA’s website or the server itself. The organization prides itself on a dedicated, close-knit community of pilots and controllers, special events, and cutting-edge add-on technology.
Multiplayer
While multiplayer flight simulation experiences existed previously, the multiplayer aviation community was transformed by the revamped multiplayer functionality of Microsoft Flight Simulator X. The introduction of several lobby and chat areas for multiplayer powered by GameSpy provided multiplayer users within Flight Simulator X with hundreds of servers to choose from. While many servers were temporary places for users to get together and hosted on personal computers, other organizations began to realize the advantages of a twenty-four hour destination within GameSpy that operate as a server rather than a personal computer. As a result, many more stable and permanent communities developed around computers configured to act as web and Flight Simulator X servers that could also offer a dedicated web site and add-on programs. Since Flight Simulator X includes in-game communications carried out using integrated voice-over-IP or text messages, virtual pilots and controllers communicate with each other in real time, creating a much more interactive immersion from the single-player experience.
The fact that users connect to the server without add-on clients is the main difference between Boston Virtual ATC and other, larger networks such as VATSIM and IVAO
Community Overview
Boston Virtual ATC's goal is to provide a realistic air traffic control experience and community that allows 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, communities like BVA hope to provide worthwhile training experiences to pilots in training (although flights flown online cannot be officially counted toward pilot training) and help private and commercial pilots enhance skills like navigation and radio communications.
BVA concentrates operations in smaller, regional locations across North America with a primary focus on the northeastern United States. Airports throughout the Boston and New York are often staffed on a nightly basis. The server is online 24 hours a day and downtime is rare; pilots are free to connect and fly wherever they wish, although flying in controlled airspace is encouraged to keep traffic condensed and frequencies congested.
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 fifteen-question 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. If an applicant passes (80% or greater) this quiz, he or she may complete a long-answer application which is then judged before the applicant is accepted.
While FS-MP allows any member to also operate as an air traffic controller, BVA recruits, trains, and certifies all controllers from within, and uses real-world operating procedures when training. To become an air traffic controller on BVA’s network, one must pass a twenty-question reading comprehension exam. Then, the new controller begins to work with an experienced ATC mentor, hands-on, at a specific position.
Cape Air Virtual
Cape Air Virtual, a virtual airline, is exclusive to BVA and operates flights within the same airspace that 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 Boston Virtual ATC's network.
Cape Air Virtual Airlines began its operations in October 2009, utilizing the Cessna 414 and the Beechcraft Baron 58, each repainted in the Cape Air livery. In May 2010, Cape Air Virtual introduced a new plane, the Bombardier Dash 8, carrying up the 34 passengers, and allowed virtual pilots with 100 hours or more for the airline to fly the plane. As of August 2010, Cape Air Virtual serves more than 40 destinations, has logged over 7,000 flight hours, and has 171 active pilots.
Share The Cockpit Program
The Share the Cockpit program is a pilot training program offering orientation flights, virtual flight training, or an airline pilot experience that helps integrate less experienced members into the community. The Share the Cockpit program (STC) is "a voluntary mentoring program that helps acquaint new members with our session and community" and serves as the "ongoing training wing of BVA". Those who deliver STC’s services are volunteer members of BVA’s community who donate their time and skill to teach and mentor other members.
Events
BVA offers a wide variety of special events that normally feature additional air traffic control in different regions around North America to help provide members with a varied event experience. BVA’s events normally include an increased air traffic control and pilot presence, resulting in a more intense and congested experience than the air traffic control available almost every evening. Many events also include free scenery updates to ensure that airports match the latest charts (many airports in Flight Simulator use data from 2006 which is out of date). As of August 2010, 86 airports have received a makeover from the Scenery Design Team, including special updates for and surrounding airports. These updates are exclusive to BVA members.
During the Regional Circuit event, pilots are provided two fully-controlled airports to fly between (normally 7-9 controllers will be online) on Tuesday nights from 8-11pm Eastern Time. BVA also features several other rotating events that feature longer flights (Domestic Journey), general aviation flying (GA Fly-In), jamming one airport with traffic (Pack the Pattern), or featuring a different regional airspace for a brief period (Getaway).
Technology
At the dawn of Boston Virtual ATC, pilots filed flight plans in the FSX chat box; controllers managed flight plans using a shared spreadsheet. However, this method was inefficient, error prone, and unrealistic. In August 2008, Microvisual, a private software development company, licensed FlightDesk to Boston Virtual ATC. This feature-rich program allows controllers to manage flight plans very much like professional controllers handle flight strips. In addition, FlightDesk users have the ability to message one another, view flight plans, and observe traffic on a moving map. Active controllers can also publish airport weather information which is then available to pilots. Boston Virtual ATC is hosted on a dedicated server which is online 24/7. Furthermore, pilots have the option to connect directly to BVA's FSX server using the IP address of the server, allowing users to bypass GameSpy entirely. There is no add-on software required to fly with BVA so it's easy and efficient to get connected and fly online.
History
BVA was founded by Gary and Matt (known by their GameSpy IDs of ‘Capt.MileHigh’ and ‘Soaring’) in November 2006. While neither of the founders are active members, the community is run today in much the same spirit as it was when it began. Throughout its growth, BVA has seen a variety of events that are no longer a part of its regular schedule, from virtual landing competitions to getaways overseas. One of the most exciting one-time events was BVA’s Flight for the Fight, an event sponsored by a BVA member that used traffic to generate funds donated to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Society. During BVA’s Flight for the Fight, The community generated $850.00, $450 of which was donated to the charity.

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