We experienced much improvement to our front-end product in the month of May. This month’s highlights include an exclusive partnership with REX Game Studios and the release of vUAL 2.0 (a new ACARS and web­site platform). With these upgrades we are making several improvements and coordinating with our pilots for an optimized virtual experience. Our efforts as we look forward are to best suit our pilots needs and to create a unique and engaging environment.

vUnited 2.0 www.virtualua.org
Our staff team took the time to sit down and rethink our website/ACARS platform in order to renovate and create a modern design while improv­ing usability. Please find the linked feature article on the new website and ACARS (http://www.virtualua.org/contrails/Special%20Edition%20(Final).pdf). This new site will bring our members more eye-candy and functionality for all stages of virtual aviation from preflight to filing your PIREPS.

Partnerships
The cornerstone of vUnited’s values is creating a strong relationship with other developers and organizations in the community. We would like to thank our numerous partners and their efforts to help benefit both of our organizations! This month vUnited rolled out a new partnership with REX Game Studios. This new agreement will give our pilots access to company discounts through the vUnited Pilot Shop. We are also continuing to work towards ATO status with VATSIM upon the upcoming release of our Training Center.

Star Alliance Codeshares
Our pilots asked and we delivered! vUnited is currently in the process of acquiring and implementing Star Alliance timetables to increase global reach in the simulator. We will be rolling out the different codeshares in stages. The first airlines to be released into service with vUnited are: Lufthansa, Air Canada and ANA. We will continue to release codeshares monthly until they are all in the system!

Growth and Development
It is incredible how fast this virtual community has taken off the ground. vUnited started operations less than three months ago and has grown to a 300+ member community with pilots all across the globe. A majority of our pilots are active VATSIM users and represent some of the most dedicated and skilled pilots in the virtual community. We will continue to adapt to the growth to best suit the needs of our pilot so no member’s question or issue goes unanswered.

Monthly Announcements

·         We are giving free vUALReward Points to pilots on their birthdays!

·         The 787 enters service and our timetables now reflect their re-entry to service.

·         We are continuing to hire staff mem­bers for the airline.

·         vUnited now averages 50 PIREPS per day!

·         We are currently hiring staff, please email hqhrs@virtualua.org for more information.

·         We are seeking new pilots so check us out at www.virtualua.org

It is with my pleasure to announce the release of vUnited Airlines version 1.1! Since our opening late last week, vUAL’s staff has been at work to bring our pilots the forefront in cutting edge technology and realistic operations. Version 1.1 brings users the same abilities with added modules including:

Improvements to ACARS and new Custom Dispatch Center
Our custom-built ACARS client seamlessly integrates with the website and booking system. The technology department has fixed the landing rate bug and made improvement enhancements in the latest release. We recently released our custom dispatch 1.0, where our pilots can get a touch of the real world aviation.

vUAL Enhanced Rewards Program with Pilot Shop
vUnited Pilots will now be rewarded for their flights in our new reward program, vUAL Rewards. The system is based off of a 1 point per nautical mile flown and pilots can use accumulated points to buy gift cards to flightsim.com or badges for our TeamSpeak 3 server and much more. As pilots gain more and more points, one can be promoted to the Silver, Gold, Platinum, or Platinum Plus in which they receive 3, 5, 8, 10 vUAL reward points per nautical mile respectively.

Knowledge Center
vUAL Knowledge Center is an optional feature of the website which allows pilots to gain access to basic aviation techniques and take tests to determine their level of proficiency. More information to come in the April release of vUnited Contrails.

Monthly PIREP Performance and Incentive Program
We have added some competition at Virtual United. We have created our own Performance Incentive program, basic on filing a percentage of PIREP’s.  We have set a monthly target goal of 80% or better, where pilots would need to file a PIREP and receive a payout.  If we achieve our monthly target goal, every active pilot on our roster will receive 500 vUAL reward points in their vUAL Reward account.  We will continue to engage our pilots to participate in our growing community.

Pilot Resource Center
Every good flight starts with proper planning and situational awareness. Pilots can utilize our Pilot Resource Center to gain access to the essentials of the aviation community. From support forums to charts and more, pilots will have all the tools needed to have a safe and enjoyable flight!

International Passport Program
When you travel abroad, it is no doubt you will get your passport stamped with the flag of the country you are about to enter. At vUAL, we offer pilots the same experience. Our International Passport Program will put a stamp on each pilot’s virtual “passport” for each country they visit!

In-Flight Entertainment System (IFS)
Do you ever get bored on long flights? Our technology department has found a solution through our customized IFS. The system will be integrated into the Pilot Center and pilots will be able to watch movies, listen to the radio and play games.

vUnited Contrails E-Magazine
Our monthly magazine is published every first week of the month and gives our members an overview of the virtual airline and current/future projects. In addition, members can find other interesting articles such as payware reviews and staff interviews. Pilots may also submit screenshots to be displayed throughout the e-Magazine.

vUAL Discount Program
The discount program is an added benefit that is offered to our pilots and staff. We look for ways to provide keep member retention through discounts from our partner vendors including Working Advantage which provides discounts for perks such as movie tickets and shopping offers through our own vUnited member code. vUAL is still in the process of signing more agreements with partner vendors (stay tuned for more information).

Statistics Center
vUAL’s comprehensive statistics center includes all the necessary data to view information pertaining to flights, domicile operations, and top pilots. In addition, pilots can view day to day statistics on the Virtual Network Operations Daily Status (NODS). NODS includes the same features as the main statistics page but is based off of a daily basis.

Looking Forward
We will continue to push forward with our Technology plan on enhancing our website and add more features that are competitor to the flight simulation and virtual airline community. Recently, the staff completed our 2013 Go Forward Plan Orientation, vUAL organization goals for the year. It was a mandatory training which staff would be trained on the organization agenda for success. We are currently hiring Senior and Operational staff, if you are interested on becoming a staff member, please visit http://www.virtualua.org/?content=staffapp . Our virtual pilot recruitment status is currently open for all vUAL hubs, please visit http://www.virtualua.org/?content=register. We are running a launch promotion and the first 100 pilots will be receive 1000 vUAL Rewards points and be place in a drawing for a $25 e-certificate at our partner Flightsim.com Pilot Shop.

We are looking forward to welcoming future pilots and staff to the latest, greatest and fastest aviation network.

Robert Sayles
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
rsayles@virtualua.org | www.virtualua.org