Welcome!

On behalf of all the staff here at American Virtual Airlines and the Miami Hub, I would like to officially welcome you to AvA! We would like to highly recommend that you print this page and keep it for your records. Please use the space below to write important information that you should keep handy!

Your new Pilot ID number at has been e-mailed to you. You can use this ID number as your call sign for all online flights (or the actual AA flight number if your ID number is being used online as a call sign) please note: When flying online, make sure you use the appropriate call sign for that flight > example: if your flight is on a American Eagle aircraft, you need to use the call sign EGF4xx (where xxx is your id # or your flight #).

The password (temporary) needed to access the PIREP reporting and Flight Database system has also been sent. Please change this password after your first logon attempt into APS (Automated PIREP System). Pilot NOTAMS and notices can be viewed after you log on APS. Your internet settings need to be able to accept cookies or APS will not work properly. Your name will not appear on the official AvA Master roster and the Miami or San Juan roster until you file your first PIREP. Your CAT ranking as of now will be 0 (probation). This will change to CAT after you file your introductory flight.

You have 15 days to submit your first PIREP!
Please take some time to familiarize yourself with our PIREP System. The information below will be quite valuable to you!
 

Automated PIREP System (APS v.1) Instructions
Pilot Version

Welcome to the American Virtual Airlines automated PIREP system. Our system is fully automated and allows our Pilots to file a PIREP and their hours are automatically added to the roster without any delay or interaction from the Domicile Manager.

You should have received a welcome email from your new Manager containing some basic information. He should have informed you of your pilot number (AALxxx) and the temporary password for you to use to login to our automated PIREP system.

When you navigate to the automated PIREP system you should see four menu options on the far left side offering choices of Home, Roster, Pilot Area and Instructions. Home takes you back to the main screen of the PIREP system. Roster shows you the entire roster for the domicile that you are a member of. Please note that even though your manager has added you to the system, your name will not appear until you file the first PIREP. Pilot Area (Pireps) is the area that you’ll need your login credentials in order to access. This is where you’ll enter your PIREPS and have the ability to perform other tasks that will be explained later. Finally, the link for Instructions takes you to this document.
Let’s now discuss the Roster and Pilot Area (Pireps) sections in greater detail.
 

The Roster

Selecting the Roster option will show the entire roster of pilots that are members of the Hub. Please note that even though your manager has added you to the system, your name will not appear until you file the first PIREP. The roster is sorted by callsign and lists the pilot name, the date of the last filed PIREP, AvA Rank, Total Hours, and a link to the pilots Logbook.

Your Call Sign is simply your AALXXX pilot number that your Manager should have provided you. You use this to access the system and it’s also used as your call sign when flying online. Your Manager will provide you additional information on this. Alternatively, you can also refer to the AvA Policy Manual.

Date of last PIREP filed is just that. It’s the date and time when you last filed a PIREP, not necessarily the date and time of your last flight.

AvA Rank – This displays your Pilot rank. It’s based on the rank chart as defined in the AvA Policy Manual. As your hours grow, the system will automatically increase your rank until you reach CAT VI.
Total Hours – This displays the total hours that you have accumulated with AvA and may also reflect any hours that you transferred in from another VA. These hours are what are used to base your CAT rank.
Pilot Logbook - This is a link that anyone viewing the roster can click on to see a complete listing of all the PIREP's which have been filed by that pilot.
 

Pilot Area (PIREPS)

This secure area is where you’ll enter your PIREPS, change your password and view any previously filed PIREPS. Once you click on the link for Pilot Area (Pireps) you’ll see an area to enter your Pilot ID and Password. Your initial password was given to you by your manager when he sent the welcome letter. Once you’ve entered your ID number and password, click Log In.

Once you’ve successfully logged in, you’ll see “Logged in as: XXX – First Name, Last Name. If this is your first time to visit, let’s reset your password. Click the “Change Password” link and provide your current password, new password and retype your new password for verification purposes. Click the login button to complete the process, then press continue to return to the Pilot Area.

WARNING: Should you ever have a cause to reset your password, you MUST log in with the TEMPORARY password assigned to you from the link provided in the email sent to you after your reset, and immediately go to the Change Password Link and change your password to ANYTHING other than the TEMPORARY password. Failure to change from the TEMPORARY password will result in your account being suspended. Suspended accounts will not show on the roster, nor will a pilot be able to access his account. Suspended accounts will only be reinstated after contacting the Hub Manager, who will ensure you understand that the TEMPORARY password is just that...TEMPORARY. Once that is understood, your account will be reinstated by the HM sending a request to the CIO of AvA.

So how do you log a PIREP? Click on the Submit PIREP link. This will take you to the PIREP form. The PIREP form consists of the following fields: Departure Date, Departure ICAO, Arrival ICAO, Departure Time, Arrival Time, Equipment Type, Type of Flight, Number of Passengers, Total Fuel Used, Total Cargo Weight, Route and Comments. All fields are required with the exception of route and comments.

Departure Date – This date will automatically default to the current date. However, if you’re filing a PIREP for a previous date, you can change the value.
Departure ICAO – This is the 4 character airport ICAO code. The system will default in the hub code, but can easily be changed.
Arrival ICAO – This is the 4 character airport ICAO code.
Departure Time – This is the time of push-back. The format should be entered as HHMM. You’re encouraged to enter your time in Zulu. However, if you can’t calculate Zulu time, then enter the time as based in your local time zone.
Arrival Time – This is the time of engine shut-down. The format should be entered as HHMM. You’re encouraged to enter your time in Zulu. However, if you can’t calculate Zulu time, then enter the time as based in your local time zone. There’s a calculation that takes place behind the scenes to subtract the departure time from the arrival time. This is what’s used to accumulate your time.
Equipment Type – Select the equipment type used for the flight. This list is our current fleet and does not include “Retro” aircraft. Choose other, for those aircraft types not listed in the list.
Type of Flight – Choices include Regular Online VATSIM, Offline Flight, Featured Flight, Hub Event Flight, AvA Event Flight or Group Flight Event.
Number of Passengers – Enter the number of passengers on board.
Total Fuel Used – Enter the amount of fuel in pounds.
Total Cargo – Enter the amount of cargo in pounds. Use 0 (zero) if no cargo on board
Route – Enter the route used for the flight.
Comments – Enter comments about the flight.

After populating all the information on the PIREP form, then click submit PIREP, then click continue. You will see a list of all your filed PIREPS. The most recent will be at the top. Your information will be stored in the database and the hours automatically reflected on the roster page.

If you make a mistake on a PIREP entry and need to make a modification. Please contact your Domicile Manager. He/She will delete the PIREP entry and request that you re-enter your PIREP into the system.

You can view all your filed PIREPS by clicking on the “Check Past PIREPS’ link. This will display a list of all filed PIREPS in the system.

Finally, what happens if you forget your password? Well don’t panic….if you’ve forgot your password the system will automatically reset it for you. On the Pilot Area page, click the link “click here to reset”. You’ll enter your Pilot number and click “reset password”. The system will send an email to the email address we have on record with a link to complete the reset process. Once you receive the email you click the link and you’ll be notified of what your password was reset to. Please change your password immediately to another password you’ll remember.

If you have any questions that were not answered in this document, please contact your Domicile Manager. We appreciate you using the Automated PIREP System and thank you for flying with American Virtual Airlines.
 

Troubleshooting PIREP Problems

If you are having problems attempting to file a PIREP try the following steps. The below procedure has worked for everyone whom I've dealt with during one on one sessions. I was also informed, that for at least one member that he has to wait for about 10 seconds after initial log-in before he can click on the Submit PIREP link. If he tries to click the link prior to that time, he is bounced back to the log-in screen. For the rest of you, please try these steps and see if it doesn't solve your problem.

Info for Internet Explorer (Netscape may differ)

1) Open your Browser and go to http://joinava.org/
2) Click on the PIREP link from the Link Frame on the left.
3) Log-in using your PID and password.
4) Click on "View" from your Browser's menu at the top of the page.
5) Click on "Privacy Report..."
6) Click on "Summary" button near bottom of window. If Summary is grayed out, click on the "All Web sites" option in the "Show" menu at the top. Click on the URL http://joinava.org/login.php and then click "Summary"
7) Click on the radio button next to "Always allow this site to use cookies" and click OK
8) Close your browser
9) Restart your browser
10) Log in to the PIREP system and all should work correctly.

That is it in a nut shell. Again, if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me at miahm@joinava.org! Happy Flying!