Welcome to your Share The Cockpit (STC) program -- a voluntary mentoring program that helps acquaint new members with our session and community, as well as serves as the ongoing training wing of BVA for members of all levels of experience. Our STC mentors are experienced BVA members who generously donate their time and skill to help teach and mentor other members

Have you ever dreamed of flying a regional jet or turboprop for an airline?  Or perhaps you’re already a good single engine pilot but would like to tighten up your VOR navigation skills?  Perhaps you’re new to BVA and would just like some help with communication with ATC. Maybe earning your multi-engine rating is your bag?  The Share the Cockpit can help may be for you!  Here you will find information and resources to answer the most common questions regarding what STC does, and how you can get involved.

Contacting STC

STC has recently redesigned the way in which a student would come into the program.  In the past a student would sign up for a slot on the STC Scheduling Center.  That system has been put aside for now.

Instead the preferred method for all requests for flights or information is via Skype.  Please download Skype if you haven’t already done so and add user ID Splonedog to your contacts.  Then send a message to Splonedog (STC XO Chuck) with your request.

Of course if you don’t have Skype, or need assistance getting set up, you can still use the traditional email route to contact STC.  To request our core program – the cockpit Ride Along, or to go deeper with any of the three training paths, please send us an e-mail: sharethecockpit@bostonvirtualatc.com.

STC Programs

Ride Along:

The Ride Along program is the core program at STC and it will always be offered.  The ride along is a 60 – 90 minute flight intended to introduce our members to the way in which BVA conducts its sessions with Q&A before, during, and after the flight.   In this program a member can observe a BVA flight from within the cockpit of their aircraft of choice while the friendly and professional BVA pilot takes them for a ride.  The flight would be conducted within the BVATC environment with full COMS so the member can have a good overview of how the BVA system works.  There can be as much or as little hands-on activity as you like… so no pressure!   

Flights are scheduled by appointment by sending a Skype message or email to STC as describe above.

In Depth Learning Tracks:

STC also has defined three separate tracks a student can expand upon depending on their interests, their experience, and their desired outcome.

    3P - Flight School:  First is the traditional flight school style track known as the Pilot Proficiency Program, or 3P.  This program will start the student off in a C172 where they will learn the aircraft from the bottom up, and learn to fly it with an attention to detail.  The 3P program is designed to replicate the kind of flight training experience a student would find at their local municipal airport with an individual flight instructor.

    In 3P the student will find instructional videos, hands on training with some of BVA’s best pilots, navigation training, aircraft management and handling, emergency procedures, and can continue to advance through aircraft up to multi-engine prop and jets.  The student who wants to learn flying and navigation in details would be best suited for this program.  Helo training is also available within 3P.

    Fast Track – Prop:  The popular STC Fast Track program traditionally focusing on jets has now been duplicated for prop as well.  STC has contracted with Cape Air and their Captains to train students immediately in multi-engine props.  The student will operate in the Cape Air airline environment with a Cape Air Captain and will be challenged to advance rapidly.   The Fast Track Prop program is best suited to those folks who already feel comfortable in prop aircraft, and want to get flying in the BVA environment quickly.

    It would also be suited for those pilots who have an interest in flying with Cape Air and want to see if they have the right stuff.  Fast Track Prop is obviously a conduit for recruiting new pilots into Cape Air, and so if it turns out that the student DOES have the right stuff they may be offered a position as a First Officer at Cape Air!

    Fast Track – Jet:  The STC Fast Track program was originally rolled out for regional jets and still remains one of the most popular programs at STC.  Student interested in airliners would be handed off to United Regional under an STC training contract where they would learn navigation and operation of RJ’s in a high speed environment.

    Fast Track Jet is not for the feint of heart.  The student would be challenged to think miles ahead of their aircraft, would learn long range VOR navigation, victor airways, jetroutes, and emergency procedures – all at jet speed!  It is best suited for the candidate who either has some experience in high speed aircraft, or has completed the 3P program and has the recommendation of their instructor.  A minimum of 20 hours in jets or turboprops is recommended, but those hours can be either within the BVA environment or in the FSX single player missions.  As with the Fast Track Prop program a student who finds operating RJ’s is to their liking may also be offered a position as a Flight Officer at United Regional.

In Summary:

STC is your Share the Cockpit program!  We are here for you!  We exist to help and serve the community as a whole.  If there is a specific you need that you don't see addressed here please don't hesitate to bring it up.  Our office doors are open for simple questions or complex training.  Our STC mentors monitor Skype daily.  Send us a note and you will receive immediate attention.

See you up there!