Much like in real life, employees and even the player character/avatar have certifications on “type” of aircraft in OnAir. We simplify matters a little compared to reality though, where you would need to be checked out on individual aircraft or at least ‘family’ of aircraft to be certified for them. (e.g. an Airbus A318 thru A321 are considered a common family type, the A320 family).
A check ride consists of simply taking the aircraft up and performing a number of manoeuvres to demonstrate your capability to handle the aircraft. In order to do this in OnAir, there are a few simple steps below:
- Rent, lease or purchase an aircraft of a new type
- From the Aircraft list (My Company menu -> Aircraft or Alt + A shortcut) locate your new aircraft and choose the ‘checkride’ button from the quick access options on the right-hand side.
- Follow the instructions given on the left hand side of the tracking screen or via the text to speech voice instructor.
If you successfully complete all stages of the check ride, land the aircraft and shut down the engines then your character will be awarded certification for the new type.
There are no additional fee when doing a checkride apart the classic aircraft costs. (fuel, rental, maintenance)
You can redo the checkride as many time as you wish.
Types of Aircraft #
There are a number of “types” within OnAir and these are listed below:
| Code | Description |
| GLD | Unpowered glider aircraft |
| HELO | Rotary wing aircraft, i.e. Helicopters (e.g. The Airbus H125/135/145, etc.) |
| SEPL | Single engined, Piston powered, Land aircraft (e.g. The Cessna 152/172, etc.) |
| SEPS | Single engined, Piston powered, Sea aircraft (e.g. Floatplanes/boatplanes, Icon A5) |
| MEPL | Multi-Engined (2 or more), piston powered, Land aircraft (e.g. Baron G58) |
| MEPS | Multi-Engined (2 or more), piston powered, Sea aircraft (e.g. Grumman Wigeon) |
| SETL | Single-Engined, Turbine Propeller, Land Aircraft (e.g. Porter PC-6, TBM930, C208 Caravan) |
| SETS | Single-Engined, Turbine Propeller, Sea Aircraft (e.g. Porter PC-6 with Floats fitted) |
| METL | Multi-Engined (2 or more), Turbine Propeller, Land Aircraft (e.g. King Air 350i |
| METS | Multi-Engined (2 or more), Turbine Propeller, Sea Aircraft (e.g. Twin Otter with Floats fitted) |
| JET | Small Jet powered aircraft, ranging from single seaters up to large narrowbody airliners (e.g. a Cri-Cri Jet, Cirrus SF50 up to A321/B737-900) |
| HEAVYJET | The largest/heaviest of jet powered aircraft, typically wide-body or heavy cargo lifters (e.g. AN-225, B747-8i, B777, A330/A350/A380, etc.) |
Manoeuvres #
Depending on difficulty level selected, a checkride can consist of differing numbers of manoeuvers (no more than 5 in-air manoeuvers at maximum). The following things can be asked of you, and can be completed either by hand flying or by judicious use of an Autopilot system within the aircraft:
Take-off – You will always be expected to perform a take off from the airport, holding runway heading as you climb to safe altitude to begin manoeuvers.
Maintain Altitude and Heading – You will be given a specific altitude to climb or descend to, and a compass heading to hold. You must maintain the altitude (+/- 200 feet) and heading (+/- 1 degree) for around 15 seconds to pass. You may receive several different headings and levels over the course of a single check ride.
Slow Turn Exercise – You may be expected to reduce your aircraft speed to the given value (Indicated air speed) and hold it below that value for the duration of the exercise while also maintaining your current altitude (+/- 200 feet). This will often require you to extend your flaps, possibly fully extend them in order to maintain sufficient lift. Tip: Avoid hard banks, these will reduce lift from the wings and make it much harder to maintain altitude, if using the autopilot, adjust the heading bug slowly or engage bank limits (1/2 bank mode or specific bank angle limits on Airliners) to prevent your aircraft dropping.
Landing – You will always be expected to return to the airport you departed from and successfully land the aircraft before parking up and shutting down the engines.
