RAAF Virtual CODE OF CONDUCT

CODE OF CONDUCT AND STANDING ORDERS AS OF OCT - 2016

Introduction
1. RAAFvirtual.org (RAAFv) is a virtual military organisation that simulates the Royal Australian Air Force. RAAFv is a recreational and educational tool that allows people to people to mimic real world aviation through a medium in being Prepar3D. RAAFv strives to maintain a high level of discipline, morale and esprit de corps and this is done so by following the Code of Conduct which is set out below. If at any point in time that any of the following is abused or disregarded, action will be taken as required and in the worst case removed from RAAFv indefinitely. When joining this organisation through the registration form, it is automatically assumed that you agree to the code and is your responsibility to maintain a constant knowledge of it. If and when the code is changed all efforts will be made aware of it through all means including; mass email, RSS feed and forum posts, facebook etc.

Outline
2. In this Standing Order, the following aspects will be discussed to provide members a full awareness of what is expected during their time spent at RAAFv:

a. Respect/ Airmanship
b. Chain of Command
c. Executive Roles
d. Forum usage
e. Ranks and Promotions
f. Flying Duties
g. ATOMS
h. vOTS
i. Copyright
j. Senior Leadership Team

Respect and Airmanship

3. People join virtual airlines for the enjoyment of their hobby, Flight Simulation, and that's no different at RAAFv. People Join RAAFv to enjoy simulated virtual military flying in an online environment.

4. Respect starts from the very top and finishes at the very bottom, meaning the vChief of Air Force will have respect for the vOFFCDT that has just joined v2FTS and vice versa, this is done through communication, teaching and the willingness to achieve the highest standard.
,br> 5. As RAAFv is a virtual education organisation, all qualified members should make all efforts to enhance an vOFFCDTs experience by helping them achieve their goals within the VA, assist them with training and answer any and all questions that are asked.

6. Because RAAFv members fly on the VATSIM network, all personnel need to ensure that all courtesies are paid when flying on the network to both pilots and Air Traffic Control (ATC). This should be done through adhering to all requests from ATC, educating those that are unfamiliar to military procedures and assisting the general public with questions they may have as well as following the Vatsim VSOA rules and guidelines.

Chain of Command

7. Being a virtual organisation, a structure is needed to maintain a sense of authority and command, and RAAFv enforces a Chain of Command which replicated that of the real world air force, from the vChief of Air Force to the newest vOFFCDT.

8. The Chain of Command is used to enforce authority, meaning, that if a member is posted to a Squadron (SQN), they have a direct contact (being SQN CO) to gain information from, resolve problems and report completion of tasks, the SQN CO has a direct contact (being WG OC), the WG OC has a direct contact (being FEG CDR) and the FEG CDR has a direct contact (being the ACAUST).

9. The Chain of Command is used predominately for communications, and it keeps all parties informed of current situations and allows constructional dialogue on critical matters. All SQN members that do not hold an executive position (XO, CO, OC, and CDR) should take all matters through their SQN first as a priority.

10. The Chain of Command is also used to enforce discipline issues. Any breaking of the Code of Conduct may result in disciplinary action which will be taken through the Chain of Command, starting at SQN level, any breaches will initially be dealt with at by the members Primary CO, should the breach be greater it will be dealt with accordingly and via the structure set out in Para 8.

11. Should the disciplinary actions taken in conjunction with Para 10. members have the right to a repeal of grievances. This meaning that the member appealing can do so to the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) on the initial, the SLT will deliberate on the situation and will pass a judgement on the matter. In the case that the SLT do not provide an adequate result to the appealing member, they can then go onto the Executive Committee (Exec), once again if there is an inadequate result, the member has a final appeal to the vChief of Air Force(vCAF), the result that the vCAF passes is final and will be followed accordingly. When a matter is dealt with by a voting committee, the vote shall be above 70% of the vote.

12. A copy of the RAAFv Command Structure can be located on the forums.

Executive Roles

13. vChief of Air Force. The vCAF is responsible for the overall command of RAAFv. He is the most senior member of the Exec and is the chairman of the SLT (further information provided later in this SO). vCAF is to have a strategic view at all times to direct RAAFv into to the future. vCAF also oversees all activities conducted, indirectly through the Exec and provided guidance to any proposed policies in the SLT or Exec.

14. vDeputy Chief of Air Force. The vDCAF main priority is to deputize the vCAF and assist where needed in the development of policies and directions. The vDCAF will act as vA/CAF when vCAF is on extended LOA. The vDCAF is to ensure members are meeting there flying requirements within the VA and issue any notices to members where required.

15. vAir Commander-Australia. vACAUST is responsible for the operations side of RAAFv, this means from day-to-day operations to major joint exercises. vACAUST is to report on a regular basis to vCAF and vDCAF on the operational running of the VA. vACAUST is also to provide assistance to those in the SLT that may require it to conduct SQN exercises and tasking's where needed.

16. Director General Logistics. the DGL is responsible for maintaining the website and other integrated systems that allows RAAFv to function on a day to day process.

Forum Usage

17. Members are to review the forums on a regular basis to maintain knowledge of what is happening within RAAFv. As the forum is a recorded form of communication it is chosen that personnel use that as their primary form of communication within their SQN/WG/FEG.

18. All members are encouraged to post within the forum to allow them to express and active interest and a point of opinion. However, please remember that all members are to be respected and that posts on the forum must be regulated by self-discipline. Communications on the forum should be in good English and contributions to threads should be relevant to the topic of that thread. Foul language, put downs and any other form of discrimination (as set out by the Australian Human Rights Commission, http://www.hreoc.gov.au/index.htm) will not be tolerated and will be dealt with as per Para 10 and if need be, Australian Law. A general rule of thumb is that those under the influence of drugs or alcohol, emotionally distressed or any other form of mental instability are urged to refrain from posting.

Ranks and Promotions

19. RAAFv has a set rank structure which is set upon the RAAF's structure. Members who join RAAFv will commence as an vOFFCDT, unless they are a direct entry officer who joined RAAFv displaying adequate skills to operate a certain aircraft.

20. Upon completion of training at v2FTS, vOFFCDTs will be promoted to the rank of vPLTOFF, from there pilots that go to vALG will be promoted to the rank of vFLGOFF at the completion of their operational SQN training, it is at the discretion of the pilots primary CO to promote the pilot to vFLTLT. If a pilot is training for vACG, they will be promoted to the rank of vFLGOFF after completion of v76SQN, and finally will be promoted to the rank of vFLTLT after gaining CAT C on their respective aircraft. For pilots of vSRG, after the completion of the ACO CSE at v32SQN, pilots will be promoted to the rank of vFLGOFF and once qualified on either the E737 or AP3C will be promoted to the rank of vFLTLT.

21. Promotions from the rank of vSQNLDR to – vGPCAPT, require FEG CDR approval and in absence of the CDR, ACAUST can also approve the promotion. From the rank of vAIRCDRE - , requires Executive approval through a vote of a 2/3 majority.

22. Members may request promotion through their CO so that they can progress further through RAAFv. XO/CO/OC/CDRs are encouraged to provide assistance and feedback so that members can progress through the rank structure.

Flying Duties

23. Pilots are mandated to fly at least once every 30 days to remain active, however a 30 day extension will be given upon the discretion of vACAUST or Staff Officer – Personnel ((SOPERS) if appointed)). Those pilots that are found to only be flying one flight per month for a period of multiple occasions will be scrutinised and may find they are removed for inactivity unless they can justify their situation.

24. Pilots can request leave through the personnel forum using the following format:

Name: Joe Bloggs
Rank: vSQNLDR Service
Number: RAAF56
Unit: v37SQN
Date(s) of Leave: 1 Dec 04 - 16 Dec 04
Reason for Leave: Holiday
Date of LOA request: 17 Nov 04

(vCAF/vACAUST/vSOPERS Approval)
Recommended: Yes
Approval Date: 18 Nov 04

25. Reserve Listing. Members can be requested to be placed on the Reserve listing which exempts them from Para 22. Members are required to fly at least once every 2 months for a period of at least 1 hour on a general duties flight. Pilots must request reserve status through vACAUST (vACAUST to inform vCAF) and if not approved must complete Para 23.

26. Exercises. Members are encouraged to attend all exercises where possible. However on that note, members under training are not to attend until they hold a CAT D or above.

27. Removal from roster. vCAF or a delegated representative will make all efforts to inform inactive pilots of RAAFv's intent to terminate their membership and removal from the roster. The intention will be made via email through the listed one in ATOMS, the email will ask for a response with 7 days, and if no response is received the member will be removed.

28. Endorsements. Members are not limited to one aircraft endorsement. Pilots are encouraged to operate many platforms within RAAFv, at any one point in time members can only be training on one aircraft type. To request training for another endorsements, members should make a request through the respect SQN page

29. Members found operating outside of their endorsements will be dealt with as per Para 10.

30. Flight Plan Remarks. RAAFv has a set standard for flight plan remarks and they are set out in an AFPD. The link is below:

http://forums.raafvirtual.org/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=56

ATOMS

31. RAAFv's Air Tasking Order and Management System 2.0, is now online and is to be used with respect and not to be abused.

32. Filing PIREPs. All PIREPS should be filed from the ATOMS 2.0/SCI Application

33. ATO's. All pilots should accept ATO's through ATOMS 2.0, ATO's should only be held for 48 hours.

34. Airframe Booking. Airframes should be booked and flown using ATOMS 2.0, a booking may only be held for 48 hours.

35. Pilot Records: All pilot records are kept for one year, so that if a member intends to return at a later date the member can resume his last recorded duties. Any member can request for the information to be destroyed at the completion of their time within RAAFv.

36. Postings. Members will now be posted to a unit. What this means they now have a direct contact being the SQN CO. There are two types of posting; primary and secondary. Pilots must fly one flight for their Primary within the one month activity period.

vOTS and Training

37. vOTS is RAAFv's training centre. vOTS is used for all training now with RAAFv and all members can access it with their ATOMS log in.

38. Training: Training is currently undergoing review please talk with a member of the Senior Leadership Team, Executive etc if you need more info.

39. Assessments. Theory assessments can be conducted, and is at the SQN CO's discretion.

Copyright

40. All documents, webpages and forum content are copyright of RAAFv. Members are not permitted to use logos, documents and links unless prior permission is obtained from vCAF. ALL Images and documents created for the exclusive use by members remain the property of RAAFvirtual. The original author of the documents or webpages will be acknowledged.

41. File Sharing. Any member found to be sharing commercial products will be dealt with, according to Para 10. Any serious breach will be dealt with by immediate suspension of membership pending review and any relevant authority will be made aware of what has occurred.

Senior Leadership Team

42. The Senior Leadership Team (SLT) is made of those that hold a Command position (CO/OC/CDR) within RAAFv. Their main role is to be the first form of democratic policy making within the VA.

43. SLT Proposal Policy. When a member of the SLT have an initiative that would help the running of RAAFv, the member makes a post within the SLT Forum, the member must state what the item is in the initial post, include the actually policy, the pros, the cons, and any other miscellaneous information.

44. Then the SLT has two weeks to discuss any substantial points of interest, which could be deemed as detrimental to RAAFv, and any other points of interest that need be raised. Also out of those points raised, amendments can be made during this process.
i. Further to this if the item is straight forward and if everyone is satisfied an early vote may be taken.

45. After the above process has been taken, the SLT takes a vote and a large majority of the vote must be in favour of the item for it to pass and become policy.

46. Following the vote, and if successful the RAAFvirtual members are informed in the NOTAMs section of the new policy and what is required of them as members.

47. In the case that a member of the SLT feels the need to appeal the member has the right of appeal as set out in Para 11.

48. CAF has the explicit right of Veto and may use it when required if he feels that the matter could impede on the general operations of RAAFv. He has up to 30 days from when the proposal was initially submitted to action this right. Failure to do so implies that he agrees with the proposal.

RAAFVirtual Administration Group.
Last modified: 21-10-2016.