General FAQs
As we notice certain questions being asked frequently we will add them to this list so that there’s a centralized place to point people to seek answers to common questions.
Why do you prohibit the use of certain add-ons, like the FlyByWire A320neo or the CaptainSim 777 for MSFS?
While reading the FOM you will have read the Prohibited Aircraft Add-ons section. This is a list of add-ons which vAAL does not allow to be used on any PIREPs, regardless of livery, and PIREPs filed using them will be invalidated.
Why do we exclude these add-ons? It depends on the add-on. Generally, our philosophy is to promote realism where it counts and be flexible where it doesn’t.
As the basis of flight simulation is the realistic simulation of flight operations, we are the most strict when it comes to aircraft. For something like the FlyByWire A320neo, it’s simple: American Airlines does not operate the A320neo and so neither do we -- and when the superb Fenix A320 exists, why would you want to substitute? For something like the CaptainSim 777, it’s a more philosophical reason: the CS 777 is an extremely low quality, low fidelity addon and serves only to fleece users new to the hobby. Allowing its use would represent encouragement, albeit small, from us for people to buy it to use it and we don't want to reward CaptainSim's behavior with money.
We won’t go line by line through every prohibited add-on; suffice it to say that if it’s in the list, American either doesn’t fly it, we think the add-on is of too poor quality to be sufficiently realistic, or there is some other reason about its place in the community that we feel makes it unsuitable.
As with all things, if you’re not sure, please ask us before submitting a PIREP.
What call signs should I use while flying?
For American, it’s simple: American (AAL/AA)
For American’s regional partners, please follow these guidelines:
| Operator | ICAO/IATA | "Call sign" |
|---|---|---|
| Air Wisconsin | AWI/ZW | "Wisconsin” |
| Envoy | ENY/MQ | "Envoy" |
| Piedmont | PDT/PT | "Piedmont” |
| PSA | JIA/OH | "Blue Streak” |
| SkyWest | SKW/OO | "Skywest” |
| Republic | RPA/YX | "Brickyard” |
When I fly online as an American Eagle flight, do I file as AAL or ENY/PDT/JIA/SKW/ASH/RPA?
American Eagle is primarily just a brand for marketing purposes. Operationally, each partner airline operates independently of American and the other regional carriers. This means that their flight numbers use their own company identifiers and they use their own call signs on the radio.
For example, "American Eagle" flight 5432 operated by PSA Airlines would be JIA5432 / OH5432 / "Blue Streak 5432" on the radio.
Please do not operate an American Eagle flight using AAL/AA and “American” or “American Eagle” as that call sign would be incorrect. These flights are loaded in vAMSYS with the correct ICAO/IATA code and flight number for each operator.
Someone flying online is already using my booked flight number — what do I do?
Just use your AAL Pilot ID number found in the upper right hand corner of the vAMSYS screen. We only require you to file as AAL/AA or, where applicable, the callsign of American Eagle carrier matching the flight you have booked.
How do I know if the flight I am flying is an historical flight or a modern flight?
When you select a flight, you will see a “Company Note” if it’s a historical flight:
Flights from the modern/current schedule will not have this note:
