Recruiting
Welcome to the 440th Virtual Fighter Wing
Before applying to the 440th, please take the time to read through this sheet and be prepared for everything that comes with being a member within the wing.
If your application to the 440th VFW is accepted, you will be assigned an Instructor Pilot and begin working on completing our IQT course. While you are in IQT, you are not yet a full member of the Wing. Membership is earned by successfully completing our IQT course. In addition to receiving training, the IQT course is both an opportunity for you to see if you like the 440th VFW and the way we fly, and an opportunity for us to confirm you will be a good fit in the wing. Once you graduate from the IQT course you will become a full member of the wing with the same rights and privileges as any other member here.
The following is a list of expectations we have for all applicants:
To apply to the 440th VFW, you must be:
To graduate IQT, you will need to be able to demonstrate working knowledge and proficiency in the following skills:
We have developed our own Standard Operating Procedures or 'SOP's'. These are designed to insure that all members are on the same page right from committing to the pit, throughout the flight and through the debrief. All members adhere to these guidelines at all times, they were designed by the wing for the wing and are always evolving with input from all members.
Once your application goes in, it will be reviewed by senior staff as soon as possible. A PM will be sent to you via the forum server. We DO NOT use e-mail to contact new members. This "First Contact" PM provides further information and instruction for your training. There's a limited time to reply to this PM so check the forum often.
If you feel that this is the place for you and feel ready to challenge yourself, then please click on the link below and fill out an application. Please take the application you make seriously when answering as this is our first point of contact with you.
Again thank you for your interest in the 440th Virtual Fighter Wing!!!
Current Application Process Status
If you would like to submit an application to fly with the 440th VFW, please be sure you have registered and are logged in to your account. then click HERE to be taken to the application page.
Thank you for your interest in the 440th VFW - good luck!
Before applying to the 440th, please take the time to read through this sheet and be prepared for everything that comes with being a member within the wing.
If your application to the 440th VFW is accepted, you will be assigned an Instructor Pilot and begin working on completing our IQT course. While you are in IQT, you are not yet a full member of the Wing. Membership is earned by successfully completing our IQT course. In addition to receiving training, the IQT course is both an opportunity for you to see if you like the 440th VFW and the way we fly, and an opportunity for us to confirm you will be a good fit in the wing. Once you graduate from the IQT course you will become a full member of the wing with the same rights and privileges as any other member here.
The following is a list of expectations we have for all applicants:
To apply to the 440th VFW, you must be:
- Fluent in the English language
- Minimum age of 18 years
- Minimum internet speed of 1.5 Mbps upload / 5 Mbps download and a ping of no greater than 195ms (to Chicago-based server).
- Have a flight controller with a stick and throttle (BMS is a hard core sim and HOTAS is a must - xbox and ps3 controllers not acceptable).
- Track IR is highly recommended but not required (Tac Form and WVR can be much more difficult without Track IR or some head tracking software).
- Must be able to demonstrate the ability to ramp start, takeoff, land, and possess basic working knowledge of the avionics in all modes (A/G, A/A, and NAV). You do not need to be an advanced pilot to apply here, but you should at least go through the training material included with BMS (this is excellent material - please take advantage of it).
- We are a Ramp Start ONLY wing. We Ramp Start on ALL of our flights. Applicants must be willing to ramp start on every flight.
- The 440th VFW has a very thorough training program which has been built by IP's and senior wing members. We seek candidates who are willing to learn and take advice from others.
- We have our SOPs for a reason and we ask you follow them. Once through IQT we absolutely want to hear your suggestions for improving our Wing.
- The 440th is built on the philosophy of sharing a passion for BMS and the F-16.
- We enjoy co-op flights using agreed upon tactics to achieve a mission success; individual kill counts aren't even tracked here.
To graduate IQT, you will need to be able to demonstrate working knowledge and proficiency in the following skills:
- Air-Refuel within 90 seconds of the "cleared to contact" call. Don't worry, our Instructor Pilots are great teachers and will be able to help you be proficient by the end of the IQT course
- 440th standard operating procedures (SOPs)
- BVR and WVR air-to-air tactics and weapons usage
- Basic Air-to-Ground weapons employment include both guided and unguided weapons
- Basic tactics and wingman responsibilities so that you can take a #2 or #4 slot in one of our weekly standard flights
We have developed our own Standard Operating Procedures or 'SOP's'. These are designed to insure that all members are on the same page right from committing to the pit, throughout the flight and through the debrief. All members adhere to these guidelines at all times, they were designed by the wing for the wing and are always evolving with input from all members.
Once your application goes in, it will be reviewed by senior staff as soon as possible. A PM will be sent to you via the forum server. We DO NOT use e-mail to contact new members. This "First Contact" PM provides further information and instruction for your training. There's a limited time to reply to this PM so check the forum often.
If you feel that this is the place for you and feel ready to challenge yourself, then please click on the link below and fill out an application. Please take the application you make seriously when answering as this is our first point of contact with you.
Again thank you for your interest in the 440th Virtual Fighter Wing!!!
Current Application Process Status
- Americas (UTC-3 thru UTC-9) - OPEN
- Europe / Africa (UTC-2 thru UTC+4) - CASE by CASE
- Middle East / Asia / Australia (UTC+5 thru UTC+12) - CLOSED
If you would like to submit an application to fly with the 440th VFW, please be sure you have registered and are logged in to your account. then click HERE to be taken to the application page.
Thank you for your interest in the 440th VFW - good luck!