Standard Operating Procedures

Virtual Star Alliance Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) Version 1 | Effective: 03/05/2026

Virtual Star Alliance Standard Operating Procedures Version 1.0 | Effective: 03/05/2026

Welcome to the Flight Crew of Delta Virtual! We are glad you have chosen us for your virtual airline journey.

Virtual Star Alliance simulates the real-world operations of Delta Air Lines and its partners. We support all major flight simulators, including Microsoft Flight Simulator, X-Plane, and Prepar3D. Founded in August 2014, Virtual Star Alliance offers virtual pilots a relaxed, authentic, and rewarding experience. Our extensive and growing list of features sets us apart from other virtual airlines, including SimBrief integration, group flights, events and competitions, a custom-developed Crew Center, a dedicated and knowledgeable staff team, and much more.

Within this document, you’ll find everything you need to build and sustain a successful career with Delta Virtual. If you have any questions or concerns about this document, please contact a staff member by joining us on Discord. You can find our Discord server on our webpage

Once again, welcome to your new home with Virtual Star Alliance!

Sincerely, Eric M. President

1.0 - Goals 1.1 - Purpose To describe operational policies and procedures for use by Virtual Star Alliance personnel.

1.2 - Audience This order applies to all personnel at Virtual Star Alliance.

1.3 - Where to Find this Order This order is available on the Virtual Star Alliance website.

1.4 - What this Order Cancels None

1.5 - Effective Date This order is effective 03/05/2026.

2.0 - Real-world Affiliation 2.0 - Real-world Affiliation Virtual Star Alliance is a virtual airline and not an actual, real-world airline. We do not have physical offices at any of our listed “hub” locations, nor do we hire anyone for real-world employment. Virtual Star Alliance exists to bring together a community of flight simulation enthusiasts who enjoy using Microsoft Flight Simulator, X-Plane, and other similar programs. All virtual flight information provided (such as charts, airport diagrams, and flight schedules) is intended solely for use by Virtual Star Alliance pilots in their simulation activities and should never be used for real-world aviation purposes.

The sole purpose of Virtual Star Alliance is to provide entertainment and educational opportunities to our voluntary members. Any resemblance in our operations or documents to those of an actual airline is purely coincidental, and we do not intend to infringe on any copyrights, trademarks, or other protective rights. All Delta Airlines logos and trademarks shown on the Virtual Star Alliance website remain the property of Delta Airlines and are used with permission. Virtual Star Alliance is not associated with, endorsed by, or connected in any way to Virtual Star Alliance, Inc., its subsidiaries, or affiliates.

The DALV website is not for commercial use. Virtual Star Alliance is a non-profit organization and does not generate any revenue. Our publicly accessible website does not allow the purchase of airline tickets. We do not display flight schedules or booking pages that could be confused with actual Delta Airlines services, so customers will not mistake Virtual Star Alliance for the real airline when searching for tickets.

3.0 - Copyright Statement No part of the Virtual Star Alliance website design or layout may be reproduced or transmitted by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, reproducing, or storing electronically. Any such action constitutes a copyright violation and theft of intellectual property that is solely owned by Virtual Star Alliance Airlines. Additionally, the website disclaims any affiliation with or endorsement by Delta Airlines and is not a commercial website.

4.0 - Registration Requirements To register with Delta Virtual, you must meet the following requirements:

1. Be at least sixteen (16) years old. 2. Use your real name; fake names or aliases are not allowed. 3. Register only once on both the website and Discord—multiple accounts are strictly prohibited. 4. Own a licensed and legal copy of Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004, FSX, FSX:SE, MSFS, MSFS2024, X-Plane, or Prepar3D. 5. Maintain an active email account that you can access regularly. 6. Agree to abide by all regulations stated in the manual, as well as any NOTAMs, memos, or other policy documents. 7. Provide your country and date of birth. 8. Supply a VATSIM ID and/or IVAO ID. 9. Complete your first flight within 14 days of registration to become a verified pilot and remain on the roster. 10. Complete at least one (1) flight every 30 days to retain active status. 11. Discord is required.

5.0 - Staff Requirements 1. Staff members at Virtual Star Alliance are required to meet the following standards. 2. They must complete at least four (4) hours of flight time every 30 days to remain active. 3. They cannot serve in an active staff role with another virtual airline. 4. The minimum age to hold a staff position is 18 years. 5. Staff should be available for all staff meetings unless excused by Executive Staff. 6. They must remain in good standing with the virtual airline.

6.0 - Administrative Staff

6.1 - President and Chairperson The President and Chairperson leads all members of the Board of Directors (BOD), which includes the Administrative and Executive Staff Teams. As Chairman of the Board, this person holds the right to veto any matter brought up for Board discussion and vote. The President is the public representative of the virtual airline and oversees its daily operations. The President has the final say in Administrative and Executive Staff appointments, staff management, marketing efforts, and acts as the main contact with our partners. This role also has the authority to suspend or remove pilots and staff members from the roster for failing to comply with any of our SOPs, as well as the authority to promote members within the Administrative and Executive staff ranks.

6.2 - Vice President and Co-Chairperson The Vice President and Co-Chairperson supports the President and Chairperson in leading the Board of Directors. If the President and Chairperson is absent, the Vice President serves as Acting President unless the President has made other arrangements. This role has the authority to suspend or remove pilots and staff members from the roster for failing to comply with any of our SOPs, as well as the authority to promote members within the Administrative and Executive staff ranks.

6.3 - Senior Advisor The Senior Advisor assists the Administrative and Executive Teams by acting as an impartial third party in disputes and helps clarify policies when needed.

7.0 - Executive Team

7.1 - Chief Executive Officer The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is responsible for leading the staff team with the day-to-day operations of the airline. They are responsible for ensuring all staff members follow the prescribed SOPs and serve as an approval step in the creation of new company documents. They may assign tasks to various staff members and notify pilots of important information. They will also serve as a liaison between us and our partners. The CEO also serves as the primary contact point for Executive Staff Members and liaison to the Administrative Team. This staff member has the authority to suspend or remove pilots and staff members from the roster for failures to comply with any of our SOPs. This staff member also has the authority to promote within the Executive staff ranks. This position reports to the Administrative Team.

7.2 - Chief Operating Officer The Chief Operating Officer (COO) is appointed by the CEO and is responsible for managing the day-to-day operations (Events, Tours, Schedules, Route Development, Fleet, and Hub Operations) of the organization. The COO assists with the development and achievement of organizational goals. The COO's primary function is to ensure that the airline runs smoothly. The COO acts as the fourth in command of the airline and takes charge when the CEO is away. The COO may assign additional duties to any other staff member in the VA (excluding the President, Vice President & CEO), if needed. This staff member has the authority to suspend or remove pilots and staff members from the roster for failures to comply with any of our SOPs. This position reports to the CEO.

7.3 - Chief Compliance Officer The Chief Compliance Officer (CCO) is appointed by the CEO and is responsible for maintaining compliance and ethical behavior. The CCO is primarily responsible for ensuring the airline exceeds VATSIM VAP standards and is the primary point of contact in matters of VATSIM audits. On the ethics side of things, the CCO can fully investigate and issue directives in matters of ethics violations such as discrimination, harassment, theft, conflict of interest, major misconduct, and threats. The CCO reviews all policies for compliance with our Code of Ethics, maintains SOPs, and serves as an approval step in the review of documents and SOPs. This staff member has the authority to suspend/remove pilots and staff members without prior consultation or approval when investigating matters of ethics violations. This position reports to the CEO in matters of ethics and compliance, otherwise reports to the COO.

7.4 - Director of Human Resources The Director of Human Resources (DHR) provides leadership and coordination of Human Resources functions and ensures the ongoing development of corporate HR policies and procedures, in collaboration with the CCO to ensure compliance and ethical standards are being met. In addition to daily responsibilities, the DHR is also responsible for managing the conflict resolution process and ensuring that issues or violations relating to organizational policies (to include the Code of Conduct) are addressed in a timely and professional manner, except in matters involving compliance or ethical concerns. Additionally, the HRO coordinates with Operations personnel to ensure proper documentation of action taken by staff members, as necessary. This position reports to the CEO. In matters of compliance or ethics, this position will report to the Chief Compliance Officer.

7.5 - Director of Pilot Operations The Director of Pilot Operations (DPO) will oversee our daily pilot operations including the processing of PIREPs and assisting pilots with any questions or concerns they may have. The DPO is responsible for ensuring that the guidelines set forth in the FCSOP are upheld and maintained. This position reports to the COO.

7.6 - Director of Hub Operations The Director of Hub Operations (DHO) is responsible for the day-to-day operations and pilot support of the whole virtual airline. Duties include PIREP review, conflict resolution, roster management, and additional duties as assigned by the COO. This position reports to the COO.

7.7 - Assistant Director of Hub Operations/Promotions Director The Assistant Director of Hub Operations (ADHO) assists the DHO in the day-to-day operations and pilot support of the whole virtual airline. As Promotions Director, this staff member coordinates various promotions and events the airline may participate in. This position reports to the DHO.

7.8 - Chief Learning Officer The Chief Learning Officer (CLO) is responsible for creating and maintaining training curriculum and serves as the primary point of contact between the airline and VATSIM/IVAO training organizations. The CLO also oversees and supervises the Flight Instruction department and guides pilots to becoming successful in their career. This position reports to the COO.

7.9 - Director of Technology The Director of Technology (DIT) is responsible for monitoring and maintaining the various airline systems to ensure security and performance. When required by the CEO, the DIT is responsible for the creation of custom software to support the airline. Notifies the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer, and Chief Compliance Officer in the event of a security breach. This position reports to the CEO.

7.10 - Director of Public Relations The Director of Public Relations (DPR) is responsible for managing the image and reputation of the airline. Their duties involve developing and executing PR strategies, building relationships with the media, crafting press releases and statements, and overseeing the overall communication efforts of the airline. This position reports to the CEO.

8.0 - Membership Virtual Star Alliance does not require its new members to have prior virtual aviation experience to join. However, as Virtual Star Alliance operates at an intermediate level of virtual simulation, we expect new members to have a basic understanding of flight operations and air navigation. New pilots are expected to understand the basic functionality of Microsoft Flight Simulator, X-Plane or Prepar3D prior to joining.

Membership is free and open to individuals sixteen (16) years of age or older. Virtual Star Alliance Airlines operates from within the United States of America and must operate in compliance with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) regulations. This law states that identifiable personal information cannot be collected from minors under the age of thirteen. Under no circumstances will an applicant under this age be hired. Any pilot who is found falsifying their age will be banned from Virtual Star Alliance indefinitely.

When applying for membership, it is the applicant's responsibility to supply valid and truthful information. Virtual Star Alliance reserves the right to reject all applications with information found to be falsified in any way. In addition, all members are required to submit and maintain an active email address for communications. Members found to have an invalid email account are subject to removal from the Virtual Star Alliance roster.

Virtual Star Alliance will periodically issue announcements to pilots via email. This process will reveal if a user's email address is no longer valid. In such cases, the membership account may be removed at our discretion. It is the user’s responsibility to always keep their email address up to date. Virtual Star Alliance reserves the right to decline membership to any individual at our discretion, with or without any means of notification or explanation regarding the decision.

9.0 - Pilot Applications

9.1 - Application Guidelines Prospective members will be required to complete and submit an online registration form for membership via the “Register” link on the Virtual Star Alliance website. Applicants must complete the form in its entirety pursuant to the instructions, rules, and regulations located on the application and within this document.

9.2 - Transfer of Hours New members are allowed to transfer prior hours accumulated while serving at a different Virtual Airline. The amount of verifiable hours to be transferred is not limited or capped. Any transfer hours should be submitted along with the registration form. However, you may submit your hours within fourteen (14) days of your hire for inclusion. Submitted hours after that period will be rejected. Please note that transfer hours will NOT count toward your Virtual Star Alliance rank.

Hours submitted must be verifiable by Human Resources. In the comments section of your registration form, please indicate the organization you flew with to accumulate those hours and submit a direct link to a roster page that shows your full name and hours earned. VATSIM hours are not verifiable for transfer purposes. Only hours on a VA’s roster are accepted.

9.3 - Rehires and Inactivity Rehires to the organization are handled and processed directly by the Human Resources department. Any member who has left the organization voluntarily (did not have disciplinary activity taken against them) should contact Human Resources to begin the process of reactivation.

All members returning from voluntary leave will be reinstated. Should a member wish to return after being terminated for inactivity, that member must contact Human Resources and outline the reasons behind their unexcused absence and confirm that they are committed to fulfilling the minimum flight requirements set out in the Operations section below.

NOTE: We will review your eligibility for rehire, but the process may take up to 30 days. Please ensure that you do not have to wait by submitting an LOA request instead of going inactive.

The decision to rehire inactive members is at the sole discretion of the Human Resources Officer.

9.4 - Initial PIREP and Minimum Flight Requirements Virtual Star Alliance has set an initial flight requirement for all new hires within the organization. New members are required to submit their first flight report (PIREP) within the first fourteen (14) days of membership. If a new member fails to file a PIREP in the first two weeks of membership, their account will be deleted. During this probationary period, you are unable to file for an LOA; you MUST fly a flight within the first fourteen (14) days. We recognize that each Virtual Star Alliance pilot has activities outside of Virtual Star Alliance that affect their ability to fly on FS. Therefore, so as not to interfere with those pilots whose time is very limited, we have developed a flexible flight requirement that will allow everyone to maintain their active status. To remain active and prevent a termination warning, a pilot must fly one (1) flight every 60 days. Failure to meet this flight requirement will lead to a termination warning. If this happens, a pilot has fourteen (14) days to file a PIREP before termination.

9.5 - Membership Suspension Failure to comply with Virtual Star Alliance Policies and Procedures (to include the Code of Conduct and the Code of Ethics) is prohibited and may lead to a suspension from the organization. Should you receive a suspension notice, please contact your Area Manager for more information. If necessary, HR and the Chief Compliance Officer may intervene.

9.6 - Terminating Membership Each member of the organization retains the right to terminate their membership at any time by contacting Human Resources. Any Administrative or Executive Team member may terminate a member at any time should it be deemed necessary by the contents of this document or for the protection of other members’ experiences.

9.7 - Leaves of Absence All personnel may file for a Leave of Absence should they be unable to meet the minimum flight requirements set by this document. Pilots that remain on a Leave of Absence for more than 60 days are subject to retirement. Requests for LOA more than 60 days should be requested through your Area Manager who will coordinate with HR for approval.

9.8 - Resignation Virtual Star Alliance recognizes that oftentimes, real-world circumstances prevent a pilot from giving any time to flight simulation. As such, pilots have the option to resign their position within Virtual Star Alliance at any time. If a pilot resigns voluntarily without disciplinary action levied against them, they are eligible for rehire in the future.

9.10 - Multiple Virtual Airlines Virtual Star Alliance Airlines recognizes that we cannot provide some virtual experiences to our personnel (cargo flights, etc.) that can be provided elsewhere. Therefore, pilots are permitted to maintain relationships with as many virtual airlines as they desire. However, having multiple airline memberships does not serve as a waiver to any flight requirements with Delta Virtual. Pilots must meet all minimum requirements for continued employment with Delta Virtual. To curtail any possible conflict of interest, all Virtual Star Alliance personnel are permitted to maintain relationships with other virtual airlines in the capacity as a pilot. Virtual Star Alliance Staff is NOT permitted to serve on another airline’s staff role.

Filing a single PIREP amongst several Virtual Airlines (double logging) is strictly prohibited. Should this behavior be noticed, the pilot may be terminated at the discretion of HR.

Note: FSEconomy is NOT applicable to the “double logging” policy. You may fly with FSEconomy and Virtual Star Alliance at your leisure.

10.0 - Conflict Resolution In the event a member should find themselves in conflict with another member of the airline or a member of staff, the member should utilize the following chain to resolve the situation: 1. Area Manager 2. Director/Assistant Director of Hub Operations 3. Human Resources 4. Chief Compliance Officer 5. Chief Operating Officer 6. Chief Executive Officer

In the following cases, the situation should be reported directly to the Chief Compliance Officer only: 1. Conflict of Interest