Training
Our mission is to provide outstanding training in the form of both structured courses and ad-hoc individual and group training sessions in order to enhance the knowledge, skills, abilities and enjoyment of the BAVirtual pilot group as a whole.
The vast majority of our courses have been developed from real-world syllabi and resources, with input from highly experienced real-world airline pilots. Instructors are selected for their knowledge, experience, passion and interpersonal skills. Trained to develop their instructional skills using a programme developed from real-world sources, with input from real-world BA Training Captains.
Most of our structured courses are currently delivered through the Moodle system with a combination of computer-based and live one-on-one training using shared cockpit or screen-sharing facilities.
From time to time ad-hoc group sessions and seminars on a particular subject, conducted in Discord, are advertised using the Training Calendar. Members can register their interest in attending such a session.
Please be advised training courses do have a waiting list meaning you can wait for a number of weeks, sometimes months, to begin your training. The list is worked through on a first come, first served, basis
VATSIM Courses Available
VATSIM P1
The BAVirtual PPL (VATSIM P1) course is an elementary flying course designed to bring a student from zero flying experience to proficiency in basic visual flying and manual handling techniques in preparation for multi-engine and instrument training. Subjects covered will include:
Principles and Theory of Flight
Aviation Meteorology
General handling
Visual departure and arrival procedures
VFR flight planning and navigation
Emergency procedures
The course is split between theory modules and practical flying lessons, carried out under the tuition of a BAVirtual instructor via shared cockpit software.
Supported simulators:
Microsoft Flight Simulator (MSFS 2020) – Deluxe or Premium Deluxe version
Course Duration & Commitment
The length of time taken to complete the course will depend to a certain extent on each individual’s availability, the number of lessons undertaken per week and rate of progress.
There are fifteen air exercises and a minimum of one dual and three dual or solo navigation exercises to be completed during the course. Each lesson normally takes around 1hr 30 minutes, allowing for a short pre-flight briefing of around 10-15 minutes, around 40-60 minutes of dual flying and a short debrief of 10-15 minutes.
It is possible to complete the course with a minimum of about 12 hours of dual instruction, but 15-20 hours is more typical.
Candidates are expected to be prepared to commit to a minimum of one lesson per week, though allowances are made for normal leave/holidays etc.
Training will take place using the Cessna 172SP and will be based at Wycombe Air Park (EGTB).
Minimum Equipment List:
- Joystick with twist rudder (or equivalent e.g. yoke/pedals)
- Please note that the course focuses on VFR navigation and thus we strongly recommend Orbx PilotPlus EGTB VFR scenery to enable successful identification of ground features.
VATSIM P2 & P3
The Advanced Flying Training Course is designed to train and assess the trainee in all items required for the issue of VATSIM P2 and P3 ratings.
Throughout the course the trainee is expected to self-study through the use of e-learning material, supplied BAVirtual training manuals and documentation and the supplied Baron 58 POH. The trainee will in this way gain the technical knowledge and understanding necessary to pass the theory examinations. Upon successful completion of the Ground School course the trainee may then progress to the Multi-Engine Conversion phase where handling techniques and operational skills will be developed in the Beech Baron 58 aircraft.
This phase will culminate in a short practical and written assessment. Thereafter, the trainee will progress to the Instrument Flying phase, culminating in a final practical assessment.The P2 and P3 ratings will be issued upon successful completion of the Instrument Flying phase provided all elements of training (including requisite cross-country flying) have been identified as completed in the e-Learning Centre.
Course Duration & Commitment
Candidates are expected to be prepared to commit to a minimum of one lesson per week, though allowances will be made for normal leave/holidays etc.
Minimum Equipment List
A primary focus of the course is upon handling a multi-engine aircraft in an asymmetric (i.e. engine-inoperative) condition. Therefore, all trainees MUST have a separate rudder axis available within their flight control hardware, either through a joystick with “twist” facility or separate rudder pedals. Autorudder usage is incompatible with the course.
Entry Prerequisites
To be accepted for the Flying Phase of the Advanced Flying Training Course the trainee must:
Be a BAVirtual member
Hold a VATSIM P1 rating
Have successfully completed the Advanced Flying Training Ground School Course
Any other conditions required by the Flight Training Manager
Training will take place using the Beech Baron and will be based at Oxford (EGTK).
Holders of VATSIM P1 ratings gained externally from BAVirtual will be accepted on to the course, but at the discretion of FTM Advanced Flying Training may be subject to a pre-entry proficiency check of their aircraft handling and theoretical knowledge to ensure a consistent trainee starting point.
VATSIM Courses Available
Line Training
The Line Training scheme is designed to provide an opportunity for members to receive feedback and advice on their flying in a structured way, to learn more about how to operate their aircraft in accordance with our real-world couterpart’s standard operating procedures and to enhance both their technical and non-technical knowledge with the support of an experienced and trained Line Training Captain.
Any pilot can request Line Training and there are no specific entry prerequisites. For MSFS users the training will be carried out using YourControls to enable you to fly with your Line Trainer using our real-world couterpart’s multi-crew procedures and this is the preferred option that will give you the most immersive experience and greatest benefit. YourControls supports both the FlyByWire A32NX and the Fenix A320.
For other simulators the use of Discord screen sharing is a possibility. In this instance you will, obviously, be operating single-crew.
There is no fixed number of sectors to complete, however to successfully complete all route training and discussion items will normally require at least 4 and possibly 10 or more sectors. Completing at least one sector of Line Training will result in a bronze award:
We hope you will want to continue Line Training until you have reached competency to request a Line Check. This includes completing a number of fleet-specific Route Training manoeuvres such as a non-precision/visual approach or raw data ILS, as well as discussing a number of topics with trainers during/in between flights. Successful completion of the Route Training and Discussion items will result in a silver award:
Finally, once proficient and all discussion items have been completed you will be forwarded for a Line Check which will be carried out by an independent examiner. Successful completion of a Line Check will result in a Line Check Award:
Currently Line Training is only available for the Airbus A320 fleet.
We hope to expand the scheme to all mainline fleets in the future and those with expertise on other fleets who would like to be involved in developing a Line Training programme are encouraged to contact the Training Director.
To request a Line Training session, simply enrol yourself on the relevant Line Training course in Moodle and follow the instructions to add your availability. A Line Trainer will then be in contact to arrange a session.
More details regarding the Line Training scheme can be found in OM-D (General) section 4.4 and fleet-specific appendices.
