About Independent Airlines

Independent Airlines is a virtual airline that operates via e-mail and the Internet. Our goal is to provide Virtual Pilots with the most realistic flying opportunities available in Africa. The airline was started in June 1997 by J.J. Siebert and since then has been able to provide hours of pleasure to pilots all over the world. Most of the pilots flying for Independent Airlines are based in South Africa, but there are also pilots in Israel, Mozambique, THE UK and the USA. IA affiliated to the Friends of the South African Air Force Museum stationed at Air Force Base Swartkops during 1998.  The enthusiasm and commitment toward aviation was evident in the involvement during Museum Flying Days, so much so, that the Officer Commanding allocated a building to the Airline which was transformed into a clubhouse.  Many enthusiasts who are not on the internet have now joined the Airline and are able to derive pleasure from the hobby and submit their hours via the clubhouse. A Committee was formed during 1998 to run these exhibitions, the mission being "Aviation Awareness" through the use of computer simulated flight.  The vision of this committee was formulated as; "to see the youth interested in aviation more aware of the science and mystery of flight". IA affiliated to the Association of Virtual Aviation in South Africa (AVA) on 1 January 2000.  The committee as it was disbanded and handed over the Vision and Mission to AVA  Many IA Pilots have joined AVA to enjoy the benefits, fellowship and common interests found in an Association. Since January 2002 AVA evolved once again to become the recognised body for Virtual Aviation in South Africa, and now enjoys recognition by the Aeroclub of South Africa as well as the CAA.  A new Virtual Aviation Club was formed to continue the activities at the clubhouse.  This club is called VACS (Virtual Aviation Club Swartkops)

Independent Airlines Wings:

Currently Independent Airlines operates three wings :

• Independent Airlines Passenger Services - CEO Harry Mole

• Independent Airlines Freight Services - CEO Harry Mole

• Independent Airlines Charter Services - CEO Johann van Deventer

Requirements:

 In order to fly for Independent Airlines, you will need a copy of Microsoft Flight Simulator Fs2002 or FS2004..

All aircraft are already in FS2002 format. It can be appreciated that development in FS2004 format could take a very long time. The livery of the aircraft flown is not the essence, but rather that you stick to the aircraft type. Please feel free then to download any livery you like, but! keep to the aircraft type.

Routes:

 Independent Airlines Passenger (IAP) Services operates from Johannesburg International Airport and have routes covering the following cities:

Independent Airlines Freight (IAF) Services also operates from Johannesburg International Airport and have routes covering the following cities and airstrips:

Independent Airlines Charter (IAC) Services operates from Lanseria Airport and covers the following cities, towns and airstrips:

Services:

Independent Airlines Passenger Services offers domestic, regional and international route system and  utilized the following aircraft :

Independent Airlines Freight Services offer an intercontinental freight transport system that serves the African continent with the following aircraft:

Independent Airlines Charter Services offers a service both fixed wing and helicopter to anywhere (period) with the following aircraft:

Assignments:
Pilots are required to submit at least one flight report every two months.  Assignments are selected using specially designed software.  As soon as you sign up, you will be notified by email, as to where to download this software.  The software is free to all IA pilots.

You will then use this software to select your aircraft, departure and destination airport.

Ratings:

 Pilots are rated on experience and hours flown. All new pilots will start out as Flight Officers.

 Earn your wings:

The badges below are available to all IA pilots.  These can be purchased from the CEO Independent Airlines for R15 each excluding postage.  An example of this badge can be seen below.

All pilots with 100 hours or more flight time , will receive silver wings. Below is an example of these wings.

Pilots with more than 1000 hours qualify for gold wings. Here is an example :

Pilots who are interested in receiving these badges will have to pay for the postage or they can be collected at the VACS Clubhouse on any Saturday by pre-arrangement. This amounts to : South African Pilots : R15.00 Overseas Pilots : US$ 5.00

Cheques , Postal Orders must be made out to Harry Mole. His address is: PO Box 21560,Valhalla,South Africa,0137. In order for Harry to send out your badges, you will have to email him with your address and details. As soon as he receives your money, he will mail your badges to you. Please Note : These are not "virtual" badges, but real embodied cloth badges.

Comments and suggestions are welcome:

Technical Officer

Last Updated : 10 July 2006 18:02

Copyright © 2002 by Independent Airlines. All rights reserved.