Our hobby is a beautiful passion. We’re conquering the airs, crossing oceans and rivers — all from the comfort of our living room. There is nothing that moves us humans more than aviation literally.

Here’s a beautiful report made by the major swiss press group NZZ about our organisation and hobby:

Why are we finding so much pleasure in simulated, virtual, not-really-happening aviation? The motivation for our pastime is varied, and I’ve asked around a while ago to better know what drives you in masses to Swiss VirtualAirline…

I would like to become a pilot with SWISS when I’ll be done with school. Swiss VirtualAirline is a huge community where I find friends who made the same career choices. We’re a team!

Indeed, every single year, around a dozen of our pilots are assisting to the SPHAIR pilot assessment. Not all of them, but quite a good percentage of the candidates successfully pass the test and complete a pilot training under the covert of the Swiss Air Force and various other Swiss aviation organisations. We’re proud to light up the matches of Swiss aviation talent!

Commander Umut Keskin on his way to Boston

She could not even come close to an aircraft. It’s through flight simulation that I was able to show her the safety that is behind the scenes of each and every SWISS flight.

I actually never thought of a Virtual Airline as a therapy for aerophobia. Though, it might deserve a place. By being in a flight simulator, you can see firsthand how excellent flight training improves flight safety and comfort — how security mechanisms work and what makes an airbus «failsafe». Flight simulation may — for some — be the beginning of stressless flying.

Cruising over Canada

Chris, I think this is a skill just like playing an instrument. Being able to say that I could theoretically fly a plane of that complexity safely from A to B is just awesome. And impressive.

Impressive as in making an impression? Maybe. We’re pilots because we love it. It’s all about what we so much love. Aviation, planes, travelling. It all comes down to one place, where we can share our emotions and spend some of our free time with the most beautiful hobby on earth.

Shortly before descent to Boston

Today, we welcomed our 1131st pilot! That’s exactly as many pilots as SWISS has — and we’re growing at an increasing and staggering rate. We’re running an airline — all from within our living rooms.

Truly yours

Chris Leduc 
President & CEO

IVAO - www.ivao.aero

Flight Simulation is just much more fun when it’s done with friends.

This is where multi-player networks such as VATSIM and IVAO come in. We’re present in both of these and tend to be home on the latter.

IVAO has currently around 9000 active members. This number is simply amazing. The Swiss division counts 106 members — we’ll sure push this number up quite effectively.

By Benjamin Wagener

Currently Swiss VirtualAirline alone is home to well over a thousand pilots from all over the world. They fly on both multi-player networks with a 60 to 40 percent ratio in favor of IVAO. You’ll find that of the management team, most are active on IVAO. Only yours truly and Chris are live on both networks.

We consider IVAO to be a network with an awesome outlook — this where we’re heading. The developers are working hard on new software and are doing a beautiful job in keeping the network up to date.

Our pilots can vouch for the great family that IVAO is. As an international community, it is just magical to see new friendships being made every single day across the globe.

By Fabian Scherer

We would like to see more of Swiss VirtualAirline on IVAO. Do you want take IVAO for a test drive? Hop over to the forum and get quick starters from other users!

Yours truly

Gianluca Raberger
MD Software Engineering

Tim Merriam and Ismaël Schneider (r.)

We actually didn’t imagine that in just four weeks, we’ve welcomed over an additional hundred new pilots into the magical world of flight simulation! (Approaching the magical number of 1131)

Our group is growing so fast, that an impressive milestone of the VirtualAirline has gone almost unnoticed: We’ve been able to interview our 1000th pilot at the end of last may!

Our now first officer Ismaël Schneider from Tavannes, Switzerland agreed to help us out by answering a few questions and giving us some insight about the standing of our organization in the virtual airline market.

As we asked him how satisfied he is with us, he put it in clear terms…

I never met a more professional crew in my time as a flight simulator pilot. I really appreciate the care and effort that has been put in this group. The hard work shows.

— Ismaël Schneider, 1000th pilot

This is what makes us happy. To know that we’re on the right track! Take this and add the ongoing massive amount of work that is going on behind the scenes and you’ve got quite a promising adventure ahead of us!

Yours truly

Tim Merriam
Head of HR & General Counsel

Formation «Alinghi»

Grenchen is a small town. Actually, it is a very small town in the west of Switzerland. Nevertheless, it is home to the Breitling fleet and has hosted world-class air meetings of international allure.

Today was one of these events — «Grenchen Air Display 2010» — to which Chris and I were invited. Thank you Grenchen Airport!

Formation «Fussballtor»

The programme was amazing. We’ve seen many great aircrafts, met engaging people and saw a breathtaking performance of Patrouille Suisse, the national show fleet of the Swiss Air Force.

Speaking of that… did you know that there actually are many virtual airlines focussing just on air shows? One of these is the prestigious Virtual Swiss Air Force which is home to some of the most devoted and precise flight simulator pilots you can come across to.

«Grande Finale» by Patrouille Suisse

For the romands among us, Patrouille Suisse Virtuelle is the «crème» of show flying. This small but very fine group of pilots actually make the Patrouille Suisse really proud.

You’re looking for more addresses? More into the «Blue Angels» or the «Frecce Tricolori»? The Virtual Airshows website is a large catalog of such Virtual Airlines and events.

Let us know if you’ve found some other links to share!

Yours truly

Patrick Schmidt
Chief Marketing Officer

Dear aviators.

A picture from Benjamin Wagener, one of our pilots.

Did you ever blog yourself? I didn’t. I probably am not even a heck of a writer — I’d rather have images, videos and great life stories speak for themselves, sprinkled with a bit of news. Good news, tangible news or as I’d say: «la crème».

This is what this place is all about. A place to learn a bit more about what we do and live. It’s going to be a spam free paradise of great images and beautiful encounters with simply amazing people.

We have a wonderful programme in store for you this summer. Subscribe to the company blog to learn more as I get our team to tell you more on the blog. It’s a must for all friends of the company!

Truly yours

Chris Leduc
President & CEO