Purpose:

Rainbird exists as a "not" for profit, Virtual Airline (flight club) for simmers of all experience levels. We do not discriminate for any reason. Veterans and newcomers alike are always welcomed. Rainbird pilots do this for fun and fun we shall have! Through comraderie, friendship, learning and teaching, Rainbirds will always lend the helping hand to fellow members and people who visit our VA community.

Flight Standards:

Rainbird pilots are expected to fly two flights per month minimum. This is to help keep our roster manageable and used by flying members of our community. Rainbird pilots further agree to use VAFS3 when doing flights. This is a payware service provided to pilots for no charge. This helps in the realism and fun of our flight community. It allows us to hold group contests and to see the fruits of our labor!

Rainbird flights should be flown with a high level of respect for aviation safety and the safety of our virtual passengers. Education is a key concept of any VA and Rainbird is no different. We fly because we love to fly and we respect the art and science of real and simulated commercial aviation.

Financial Realism

Within reason, Rainbird will be run with a consideration for the real world aspect of finances. Rainbird leadership pledges to keep the members informed of our financial well being through announcements, web based informational tools and through NOTAMs. Let it be known to all that Financials are not at the heart of our VA, only a supporting cast member to add to the realism of our virtual experiences.

Membership

Rainbird is free and open to all members of the aviation flight sim community. The only exclusions are based on participation in flights per month (2), demonstrated safe flying and demonstrated and continued respect for your fellow Rainbirds. This includes behaviour on VATSIM and other online services. Our forum will be kept free from malice, discrimination, rudeness or other intentional social faux paux. Violations to the "respect" clause will be dealt with kindly and with great wisdom. We are not in a hurry to ban anyone. We just want everyone to feel welcome. We do have an age requirement for membership to the VA, It is 18 years of age. Any current member under 18 (and over 13) is grandfathered in at this time. The reason for this is compliance with COPPA.

Schedules

Scheduled routes are available to nearly every corner of the globe with more being added as we grow. If you want a scheduled flight to be added, please suggest it in the "routes" or "suggestions" forums. If it makes sense... we will load it... If it is a scheduled flight in a Lear 45 to do "glacier landings on Denali"..well..it may not happen! Really!

Aircraft

Based on all of the above, Rainbird will make every effort to have a diverse fleet. We have proven that with VAFS3 a virtual airline can have variety and adventure. Pilot are not required to fly certain birds, routes or times. This is a method to provide so much opportunity and variety that our pilots will not have to go elsewhere for cargo, large, small or odd birds! Variety is the spice of an aviators life. After all, we can't keep our feet on the ground!

We will add aircraft at our pilots suggestions and open the floor to forum discussion on the merits of adding any new aircraft. We will support BOTH freeware and payware aircraft in equal proportion and to the best of our abilities. We have skilled volunteers who own and paint many of the aircraft we fly so this will rarely be an issue. Substitution is allowed for those who do not have a particular aircraft. Paints will also be provided however these may take a little time.

Leadership Statement

As the founder of Rainbird I have been given the opportunity to make many new friends and sim pilot colleagues. It is my intent to keep Rainbird friendly, democratic and FUN and also to keep it this way for a long time to come. Rainbird exists for a peaceful haven in my life and I hope it does for all of our members. I learned a great deal about this in my associations with many fine individuals at Admiralty Air, Payette Air Charter and Inuksuk Aviation Group. Rainbird for me is the logical and exciting continuation of my virtual pilot career.

I and we, welcome you and hope you find a great virtual home at Rainbird Airlines.


Signed this 26th day of March 2008, Jeff Stewart Dogcreek60@comcast.net