Pilot Requirements

Every prospective SWISS Virtual pilot must pass an entry exam before joining the fleet. We do not operate a training academy, and we make no apologies for that. The exam covers aircraft systems, navigation fundamentals, and standard operating procedures -- the knowledge that any competent virtual pilot should have. It is challenging but fair, and it exists for a straightforward reason: quality over quantity.

This approach means that every pilot wearing SWISS Virtual colours has demonstrated a baseline of competence and commitment. It raises the standard of every group flight, every interaction on frequency, and every flight report in our system. Pilots who have earned their place tend to value it, and that shared sense of having met a genuine bar creates a culture of mutual respect within the community.

If the exam sounds intimidating, it should not. If you are comfortable flying instrument approaches, following standard departure and arrival procedures, and communicating with air traffic control, you have the skills we are looking for. The exam simply verifies what you already know.

All SWISS Virtual pilots must hold an active account on either VATSIM or IVAO. These are the online flying networks where real volunteer controllers provide air traffic services, and they are central to the experience we offer. Your network account tells us that you understand the conventions of online flying -- how to communicate on frequency, how to follow clearances, and how to share the virtual airspace with other pilots professionally.

In terms of experience, we expect a level roughly equivalent to a VATSIM ATPL or IVAO CP/ATP rating. You should be comfortable hand-flying instrument approaches, following SIDs and STARs, and managing your aircraft competently in a busy terminal environment. These are not extraordinary skills -- they are the natural result of spending time with your simulator and taking the craft seriously.

If you are new to online flying and do not yet have a network account, both VATSIM and IVAO offer free registration and excellent training resources. Get some hours on the network, build your confidence with live ATC, and come back to us when you feel ready. We are not going anywhere.

On the equipment side, you will need a flight simulator -- Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 or 2024, X-Plane 11 or 12, or Prepar3D v4 through v6 are all supported. We are platform-agnostic; what matters is how you fly, not which software you use. Default aircraft are perfectly acceptable, though many of our pilots enjoy the added fidelity of payware add-ons. Neither choice affects your standing in the community.

We do require proper flight controls: a joystick or yoke, rudder pedals, and a throttle quadrant. Mouse flying does not provide the precision that our standards demand, and it would put you at a disadvantage in situations where smooth, accurate inputs matter. This is not about elitism -- it is about ensuring you have the tools to fly well and enjoy the experience fully.

SWISS Virtual is open to pilots aged eighteen and over. Applicants between thirteen and seventeen are welcome with written consent from a parent or guardian. We maintain a mature, professional community atmosphere, and this policy helps us preserve that environment while still welcoming younger enthusiasts who take the hobby seriously.

Once you are a member, we ask only that you complete at least one flight every thirty days to maintain active status. There are no mandatory events, no weekly quotas, and no pressure to fly more than your schedule allows. Life happens -- we understand that -- and extended leaves of absence can be arranged if you need time away. The one-flight-per-month threshold simply ensures that our roster reflects pilots who are genuinely engaged with the community.

If you have read through these requirements and feel that you are not quite there yet, that is perfectly fine. The best thing you can do is invest time in building your skills. The VATSIM Pilot Training programme and the IVAO Training Department both offer structured, free courses that will take you from beginner to confident online pilot. Get some hours, learn the procedures, and then come back and join us in the skies.

We would rather you arrive prepared and confident than rush through the door before you are ready. The standard is worth meeting, and the community you will join on the other side is worth the effort it takes to get there.