Jet Direct Airlines (JDA) is a virtual airline for those who are serious about flight simming. As a JDA pilot you are required to log at least one scheduled flight once a month.  In practice, most of our pilots enjoy the hobby so much they greatly exceed that minimum.

JDA is committed to utilizing Squawkbox (SB) to operate in a real-time air traffic control (ATC) environment.  JDA pilots are expected to fly their routes while connected to SB and to engage in active participation with on-line ATC controllers.

Newly hired JDA pilots will have their experience level verified by JDA management in two possible ways:

- Confirmation of reported hours transferred from other virtual airlines

- An assessment of VATSIM experience

Upon verification of experience, the pilot will be released to commence revenue line flying in accordance with JDA limitations.

New pilots will begin their career with Jet Direct Express (JDX) and are expected to fly only the aircraft and routes flown by JDX.  Advancement to Jet Direct Airlines is based upon both hours of flight time logged and JDA management discretion.  Hour requirements for rank advancement as well as aircraft advancement can be found on both the JDA and JDX roster pages.

Flight time will be tabulated commencing at the time of pushback from the departure gate and concluding when the aircraft is parked at the destination gate. Flight time will be reported as a decimal percentage of hourly increments. There is a chart displayed on the web site PIREP page listing the decimal equivalent of all increments. Note: The logbook time recorded by the Flight Simulator (FS) program logs the entire time the program is active and will not be accurate for reporting flight time. Time spent setting up SB/Roger Wilco and flight planning will be recorded by FS but are not to be included in PIREP's. Essentially, PIREP time will be the duration of time the engines are running.

JDA pilots are expected to submit a PIREP to the company web site upon completion of flights. It is expected that the PIREP will be sent in a timely manner. A recommended practice is to submit PIREP's at the conclusion of a flying session after shutting down the simulation program. This way JDA management will be able to post flight results and maintain up to date records.

JDA was conceived as an airline utilizing ATC via Squawkbox (SB) and our route system is optimized to provide flights to areas that are well covered by controllers. To reinforce our commitment to ATC use, flights will NOT be logged unless the pilot was connected via SB to the ATC system. The purpose of this is twofold: to provide a convenient means of verifying flight times and to promote the use of SB for all sim flights.

The SB system offers an enhancement in the use of voice communications via the Roger Wilco program. All JDA pilots are encouraged to take advantage of this free program www.resounding.com and utilize voice transmissions as the primary communications source with ATC.

When using voice, All Jet Direct Express (JDX) and Jet Direct Airlines' (JDA) pilots will use the call sign "Jet Direct" (i.e., "Good Evening Cleveland Center, Jet Direct 1529 is checking in flight level 290 30 miles east of Chardon VOR")

A flight plan is required for JDA flights within the SB system. The airline maintains a reference of preferred routings that may be utilized to plan flights. This source can be obtained from the JDA homepage via the flight planning section.

All flight plans should include the use of applicable Standard Instrument Departure (SID) and Standard Terminal Arrival Route (STAR) whenever possible. These are available for viewing at www.clearanceunlimited.com or from navigational chart publications from Jeppeson or NOAA. The use of SID's and STAR's promotes the orderly flow of traffic and simplifies the task of sequencing aircraft for ATC.

Pilots are expected to fly the route for which clearance has been received and to comply with ATC instructions unless doing so would place the aircraft in jeopardy.

When filing a flight plan and setting up multiplayer, pilots will use the flight number obtained from the flight schedule.  For example;

A pilot wishes to fly from Detroit, MI (KDTW) to Allentown, PA (KABE).  He or she would check the flight schedule and reference the flight numbers (we'll use flight 3561 as an example).  If this flight happens to be a Jet Direct Express flight (red text on the schedule or aircraft type B190, E120, E145 or BA46), the pilot would use JDX3561 as the call sign for both multi-player and SquawkBox connections.

Important Note.  If the pilot wishes to refile for the return trip to KDTW, he or she must change the flight number in both multiplayer and SquawkBox.  In this case, the call sign would change from JDX3561 to JDX3562.

For flights with Jet Direct Airlines (those flights in black type on the schedule or with aircraft type F100, MD80, B72Q, A320, B752 or B764) the pilot should use JDA as the airline identifier followed by the appropriate flight number.  For example, a pilot wishes to fly from Detroit, MI (KDTW) to Atlanta, GA (KATL).  He or she would check the flight schedule and reference the flight number (we'll use flight 473 as an example).

Important Note.  If the pilot wishes to refile for the return trip to KDTW, he or she must change the flight number in both multiplayer and SquawkBox.  In this case, the call sign would change from JDA473 to JDA474.

The Flight Simulator program offers the possibility of accelerating the time factor to 4 times normal. The use of this feature is not encouraged. However, it is recognized that at times pilots may need to reduce the amount of actual time they are at the controls. Therefore, accelerated time will be permitted with three restrictions:

- Acceleration will only be permitted at 2x

- Accelerated flight will only be permitted after the aircraft is established at cruise altitude and normal time status must be resumed when the aircraft initiates a flight level change or descent to the destination

- Accelerated time use must be approved by ATC

JDA pilots are strongly encouraged to participate in fly-in activities that are conducted often on SB. There are regularly scheduled events;

- Sunday night JDA/JDX group flights (see Events page for details)

- Monday night Eastern Region flights

- Friday night Western Region flights; as well as special events sponsored by ATC centers or virtual airlines.

These events provide an excellent opportunity to operate in a high-traffic environment and observe the skills of other pilots.

JDA supports the participation of its pilots at fly-ins by providing a bonus of one (1) flight hour to submitted PIREP's from specially selected events.

JDA pilots will be made aware of procedural changes or information updates by two methods:

- Messages sent to pilots via e-mail to inform them of time-sensitive events. This will be the primary means utilized by management to inform all pilots critical information

- Postings to the Forum page on the company web site. This is the area for JDA pilots to engage in discussions or post questions and comments of a general nature

Pilots are encouraged to check the Forum page on a regular basis in order to remain aware of company information. In addition, the company places poll questions on the forum to gain input for determining the future of the airline.

This airline has set as its goal to provide a structured environment for participation in the hobby of flight simulation. It is the aim and intent of JDA management to make flight simming enjoyable for our pilots. We are, therefore, attentive to the desires of our pilots and are continually striving to improve the experience by offering new routes, equipment and events.

The input and feedback from our pilots is an essential ingredient to furthering our goals and discussion of JDA procedures is welcomed. Pilot comments, questions or suggestions may be submitted to management email addresses are on the Staff page at the web site or may be posted on the JDA Forum page.

We hope you will enjoy your experience with Jet Direct Airlines.

JDA Management