Clear answers for new cadets, experienced flight simmers, and partner organizations. Learn how we dispatch flights, log hours, and fly across the virtual skies.
Essential information for new pilots taking their first steps with Syrian Virtual Airline.
Joining is simple and completely free. Visit our registration page on vAMSYS (vamsys.io/register/syrian_va) and fill in your basic details along with your preferred flight simulator. Our staff reviews new applications daily, and most accounts are approved within 12 to 24 hours. Once approved, you will receive an email with access to the Crew Portal and our Discord server.
None at all. Syrian Virtual Airline is a non-profit project built by aviation enthusiasts for the community. Access to our dispatch system, custom liveries, route network, and community events will always be free.
Yes, you are very welcome here. You do not need hundreds of flight hours to get started. Our entry rank starts at zero hours, and we have a friendly group of experienced pilots and mentors in our Discord community who are always happy to help you set up your aircraft, understand flight plans, and complete your first landing.
To log your first flight, you only need four things: a supported flight simulator (MSFS, X-Plane, or P3D), a free SimBrief account for generating your flight plan, our Pegasus ACARS tracking software installed on your PC, and any aircraft that matches one of our scheduled routes.
To stay aligned with VATSIM, IVAO, and vAMSYS privacy policies, pilots must be at least 13 years old to register and participate in our community.
Supported simulation platforms, aircraft substitution rules, and livery downloads.
We support Microsoft Flight Simulator (MSFS 2020 and MSFS 2024), X-Plane 11 and 12, and Prepar3D (v4 and v5). As long as your simulator can run FSUIPC or SimConnect, our tracking software will connect without any issues.
Our fleet celebrates both the modern operations and classic heritage of Syrian aviation. For daily passenger routes, we operate the Airbus A320-200, Airbus A340-300, and ATR 72-500. For classic and historic operations, we offer the Boeing 747SP and Boeing 727-200, alongside the Ilyushin Il-76 for heavy cargo charters.
Yes. We understand that not every simulator has a high-quality addon for aircraft like the A340-300 or B747SP. We allow sensible family and class substitutions—for example, using an A330-300 or A340-600 on A340 routes, or an A320neo in place of an A320-200. Full substitution tables are listed clearly inside the Crew Portal.
Cross-type substitutions are automatically enabled on applicable dispatch routes.
You are free to fly with whichever addons you own and enjoy. Whether you prefer high-fidelity payware like the Fenix A320, ToLiss fleet, and PMDG, or freeware and default aircraft like the FlyByWire A32NX, our system accepts them all.
All of our custom liveries—covering both current schemes and classic historic liveries—are available directly through the vAMSYS Resources page and organized by simulator in our Discord server.
Technical procedures for flight planning, fuel discretion, and automated PIREP logging.
When you log into the vAMSYS Crew Portal, you can browse routes from our main hubs in Damascus (OSDI), Aleppo (OSAP), and Latakia (OSLK). Once you pick a flight, our portal links directly with SimBrief to generate a complete Operational Flight Plan (OFP) with accurate weights, tailored airframe profiles, and real-world weather routing.
We use Pegasus ACARS, a lightweight background program built for vAMSYS. Once you load into your aircraft at the departure gate, click 'Start Flight' in Pegasus. It quietly records your flight stages, fuel usage, and landing Touchdown Rate, then sends your flight report (PIREP) automatically once you park and shut down your engines.
Absolutely. While our dispatch system provides realistic standard values (such as Cost Index 25 to 35 on the A320), you have full Captain's discretion during pre-flight. You are welcome to adjust your block fuel for weather or holdings, modify your flight level, or update the route string to match active VATSIM airspace restrictions.
We prioritize realistic, stable flying over chasing landing rate leaderboards. A safe touchdown in the target zone between -100 and -400 fpm with proper lights and speed compliance will earn full marks. Flights are only rejected in extreme cases such as slewing, mid-air refueling, or landings exceeding -700 fpm.
Simulators crash from time to time, and you shouldn't lose a four-hour flight because of it. Pegasus ACARS saves your flight progress continuously. If you experience a Crash to Desktop (CTD), simply restart your simulator, spawn back near your last position, and reconnect Pegasus to continue.
When flying into or out of Damascus International (OSDI), we provide custom scenery recommendations in our portal so your taxiways and gate numbers match modern charts. Our SimBrief airframes also include realistic regional routing to help you navigate neighboring Flight Information Regions (FIRs) smoothly.
Callsigns, flight plan remarks, and online air traffic control guidelines.
No, flying online is completely optional. Many of our pilots enjoy flying on VATSIM and IVAO, while others prefer flying offline with default traffic or AI ATC tools like BeyondATC and SayIntentions. Both online and offline flights count equally toward your rank.
When connected to VATSIM or IVAO, please use our ICAO three-letter prefix 'SYR' followed by your flight number (for example, SYR401). Over the radio, our telephony callsign is 'SYRIANAIR'. In Item 18 of your ICAO flight plan, SimBrief will automatically include 'OPR/SYRIAN VIRTUAL AIRLINE'.
ICAO Prefix: SYR • Radiotelephony: SYRIANAIR
Yes, we host regular group flights, regional shuttles across the Levant and Gulf, and historic tours. We also coordinate with VATSIM Middle East & North Africa (VATMENA) and Levant vACC to staff Damascus and regional airports during our weekend fly-ins.
How career progression, previous hour transfers, and activity policies work.
Our ranks reflect your growing experience with the airline—starting at Cadet (0 hrs), moving through First Officer (50 hrs), Senior First Officer (150 hrs), Captain (300 hrs), and Senior Captain (600+ hrs). However, we do not believe in locking away aircraft you want to fly. From day one, you have access to our mainline fleet so you can fly the routes you enjoy.
Yes. If you are an experienced pilot joining us from another virtual airline, or if you have verifiable hours on VATSIM or IVAO, we offer direct hour credit. Simply send a screenshot or link to your pilot profile in a support ticket after joining, and we will credit up to 150 starting hours toward your rank.
We keep our activity policy relaxed because real life always comes first. Pilots are only asked to log one flight every 60 days. If you have exams, work commitments, or travel coming up, you can set a Leave of Absence (LOA) in the portal to pause the requirement and keep your account safe.
Information for virtual airlines, vACCs, scenery developers, and content creators.
We enjoy collaborating with well-run virtual airlines that operate into the Middle East, Europe, and Asia. If your airline is interested in setting up shared codeshare routes, joint tours, or interline flights on vAMSYS, please reach out to our External Relations team through our Contact page.
If your division or vACC is planning an event and would like Syrian Virtual pilots to provide inbound and outbound traffic, contact our Events Director via Discord or our website at least two weeks in advance. We are happy to publish event bookings, award bonus points to participating pilots, and promote your event across our channels.
Yes! We actively support creators who showcase Syrian and Middle Eastern aviation. Whether you are developing regional airport scenery and need real-world reference photos and charts, or you are a flight streamer looking for custom press kits and liveries, get in touch with our team.
Whether you need help setting up Pegasus ACARS, transferring your flight hours, or planning an interline event, our staff team is happy to help.
