>> Welcome
Boston Virtual ATC is a multiplayer community for Microsoft's Flight Simulator X. Since 2006, we have been a forerunner in the multiplayer realm. Unlike many other communities, we do not open our session to the public but choose to keep our server restricted only to members. To find out more about the advantages of BVA—and why you should apply—use the navigation bar to proceed through this presentation. Are you ready to leave GameSpy behind? Take a few minutes to find out about us... you'll never look back!
What is BVA?
Boston Virtual ATC (BVA/BVATC) is a multiplayer community that strives to blur the line between simulation and reality. We are the top destination in FSX multiplayer for realistic and enriching air traffic control. Focused around Boston's General Edward Lawrence Logan International Airport (KBOS), we regularly feature airports throughout the Northeast in the Boston (ZBW) and New York (ZNY) ARTCCs. Our top-notch group of pilots and controllers work together to make BVA an exceptional community and a great place to enjoy and learn about aviation from the comfort of your home. Whether you're new to the hobby, looking for a place to learn, or just want to enjoy some time away from those real-world airliners, BVA is your destination. Take the time to join us today...you won't regret it!
What We Offer
BVA features realistic Air Traffic Control (ATC) at many airports through the U.S. Northeast including Boston, New York, Portland (MA), Nantucket, Bradley, Burlington, Albany, and many more. We feature many aspects of real-world ATC from clearance delivery right up to center, and supplement our air traffic control with a friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable group of pilots.
We also have a great group of military aviation enthusiasts operating from the Otis AFB. Or you can join our Cape Air virtual airline and shuttle passengers from hubs at KBOS, KACK, KHYA, KALB, and KISP. The Share the Cockpit program can help you get off the ground for the first time, or transition your real-world flying skills to the online world. Of course, we only hire and train air traffic controllers from within.
Our server is online 24/7 and features real-world weather/season modeling. In addition to running peak hours from 7pm - 1am ET during weekdays (weekends normally see activity throughout the day), we have a regular schedule of special events.
Our Expectations
BVA requires members to complete an application, and we don't accept everyone who passes the initial multiple choice exam. It isn't difficult to become a member, but even this simple application process helps us ensure that the people who become and remain BVA members are here because they know what they are doing, or they are willing to learn. There is no point to having mentorship programs like Share the Cockpit if your members don't want to learn in the first place. The result is that our pilots (like our controllers) are some of the most skilled and capable that you will find online. Many are former or current airline or private pilots. And the best part is that they are often willing to help new members. We expect pilots to come prepared with necessary charts, arrival/departure routes, and a list of ATC frequencies.
You'll be able to get all the information you need right here on this website from our New Pilot Center and Getting Started Guide. We'll be happy to help you out; we want to make flying realistic and fun for everyone. Many of our controllers and pilots have experience in the real world and even those that don't will be more than happy to work with your through our Share the Cockpit program, or more informally during our sessions. Help is always available to those who seek it... all you have to do is ask.
>> Why Join BVA?
The Best ATC
Our controllers are trained using the same reference materials that professional controllers use, and our controller roster includes several real-world controllers. It can take many months for one of our controllers to move even to the local control stage. While this means we spend a lot of time and energy training our controllers, the results are well worth it. We have several approach- and center-certified controllers that really know their stuff, perhaps better than any other group of controllers out there.
That's why so many pilots training for private-pilot or instrument ratings use our server to practice difficult procedures like circling approaches or holding patterns in the safety of their own homes. Our controllers know that many pilots use BVA as a training tool, and do their best to ensure the instructions they give our members are as close as possible to the instructions received from professional controllers when flying an airplane.
Events
Our weekly Tuesday Night Regional Circuit event, the most popular in our event lineup, features two fully-staffed (clearance delivery to approach) airports with at least one Center to oversee aircraft en-route. That makes BVA one of the only communities that feature 9 controllers online at least one night every single week. In addition, we have a rotation of regular events for those interested in medium-haul flights (Domestic Journey), general aviation flying (GA Fly-In), or just jamming one airport with traffic (Pack the Pattern). Every now and again, we'll pack up our operation and Getaway to a popular area that isn't normally controlled.
Every now and then BVA goes above and beyond to try something really special like packing more than 80 people into a multiplayer server or generating almost $1,000 for charity during our Flight for the Fight in support of Breast Cancer research. Even during non-event days, there is almost always at least one Center controller online during our peak hours (7pm-1am ET). However, with a 24/7 server, pilots from around the world have the choice of when and where to fly.
Technology
Getting sick of being arbitrarily disconnected from GameSpy? Leave the connection issues of GameSpy behind and connect directly to our 24/7 multiplayer server. No annoying friend requests, no bewildering error messages, and no complicated setup. Just login and fly.
FlightDesk, a staple of our community, is flight planning/tracking software that optimizes the environment created by controllers, pilots, and observers. Without it, controlling on busy days would be a disaster. Sure, you can enter flight plans in the chat box and setup a separate frequency for controllers to coordinate, but having a program built into your community that keeps track of flight plan data is invaluable for a group like ours. FlightDesk is not just for controllers, though... pilots can file flight plans, chat with other members, or view and track flights on a moving map, all from within the program.
If you're stuck or just want to learn more, BVA's feature-rich website is the place to start. You can connect with other members on our forums, check out server activity on our live map or live list, set yourself up with our comprehensive Getting Started Guide, or figure out where and when controllers will be online by checking the ATC Timetable.
>> History
Our community was founded by Gary (Capt.MileHigh) and Matt (Soaring) in November of 2006. What started out as a hastily-created multiplayer lobby with several novice controllers and a few pilots quickly exploded into a phenomenon that today includes more than 2, 000 members and ATC online almost every single day. Since our inception, we have constantly pushed the envelope of FSX's multiplayer environment, cramming as many pilots and controllers into our session as FSX will allow. We've seen events all across the world, from virtual landing competitions to getaways overseas. We've generated money for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Society during our Flight for the Fight, and partied during the Boston Tea Party (BVA's birthday celebration). We have come a long way since 2006, and our community is still growing thanks to the professionalism of our pilots and controllers.
Today, we feature ATC across the U.S. Northeast. Getaway events take us from the most intense conditions a pilot can experience from the VOR/DME-C approach into Aspen to the low approach over the beaches of St. Maarten and back again. As our session grows through word-of-mouth and pilot feedback improves our session, we hope to continue the solid growth we have been experiencing throughout our history.
BVA continues to rely on the professionalism and realistic atmosphere of our session. With the best ATC, the most frequent events, Cape Air Virtual, Share the Cockpit, and some very impressive technology, BVA leads the multiplayer community. There's truly something for everyone, whether you want to thread your way into a busy traffic pattern or practice for an upcoming checkride. What are you waiting for? Apply Today!