Published on 21 Aug 2009

For the really dedicated enthusiast, Virtual Aviation has launched the Virtual Type Rating which allows you to take your interest to a higher level and become proficient on a particular aircraft type over the course of five structured modules which you can complete at your own pace.

The Virtual Type Rating has been designed by current airline pilots especially for aviation enthusiasts and PC flight simmers - and will take you into the realms of what it would be like to train as a heavy jet pilot on some of the most modern airliners flying today.

As this is unique to Virtual Aviation, the full syllabus is a closely-guarded secret - but here's a brief outline of what you will cover during the five two-hour modules:

• Flight planning including fuel planning, navigation and weather.
• Flightdeck set-up from cold and dark.
• Pushback, engine start and taxiing.
• Hand-flying technique for take-off and climb.
• Hand-flying technique for descent and landing.
• Autopilot flying, and the autopilot modes.
• Use of the Boeing FMC or Airbus FMGS flight managment system.
• Communication with Air Traffic Control.
• Dealing with failures and emergency scenarios.

The fifth and final module will be your ‘check flight’ prior to gaining your virtual wings. It will be a real-time flight, flown using real-world routes and procedures, from gate departure to gate arrival at the destination airport.

We are offering the Virtual Type Rating on the following aircraft types:

• Boeing 737: Heathrow, Gatwick, Southampton, Palma de Mallorca.
• Boeing 757/767: Gatwick.
• Airbus A320: Heathrow, Gatwick, Southampton.
• Airbus A330/A340: Heathrow.

For more information, please see the Virtual Type Rating page.