FSCaptain is a new approach to the concept of building a professional career in Microsoft Flight Simulator. Far more than just a log, the program provides a realistic flight environment in which to fly while it tracks your performance; measuring passenger satisfaction, professional competence, on-time performance and adherence to company policy. The results will improve your flying skills -- because it isn't easy to sit in the left seat of an airliner and measure up to the demanding expectations of the job!

The philosophy of FSCaptain is summed up in the phrase "no-nonsense professionalism". In other words, less like a game and more like reality. Every design feature of the program, and even those things the system doesn't do, are devoted to fulfilling this philosophy.

There are many examples. In the real world, captains for scheduled airlines (or charter outfits for that matter) don't get to sit down and choose where they fly each day over their morning coffee. They are assigned revenue flights by the company scheduling office. Perhaps they have a choice but that choice is limited. Often those flights are multiple legs. And when a captain commits to a flight, he or she is obligated to complete that assignment. This is the way FSCaptain does things.

Another example. In the real world, the airline's dispatch office is something the captain must interact with often, for better or for worse (from the captain's point of view!). The dispatcher for a flight is involved in flight planning, fuel planning, and much more. Furthermore, dispatch monitors each flight and advises about weather conditions, accepts position reports, and needs to issue approval for critical phases of flight. If a captain must deviate from a flight plan, dispatch must be informed and grant approval. FSCaptain simulates all these functions of the dispatch office, and more.

One final example. In the real world, presidents and CEOs of airlines are not working pilots. They don't have the time if they are doing their jobs as executives. FSCaptain focuses on tracking the career of an airline pilot, not an airline CEO or CFO. In FSCaptain you do not buy and sell airplanes or manage your company's maintenance operation, nor set prices for tickets or cabin service items. The financial health of the company you work for is not your concern -- you are there to do your job: delivering your payload (passengers or cargo or both) on-time and safely to your destination with consummate professionalism. That's a difficult enough job.

Beyond its commitment to realism, FSCaptain is comprehensive and flexible. You can take on any role you feel up to -- from a newbie cargo captain for a small outfit in a remote area of the world to the prestige of commanding a huge widebody passenger airliner with its substantial cabin crew. You are not limited in the type or size of the aircraft you can start your career with. You can choose to fly for cargo or passenger airlines, or those that do both. Your airline can have easy policies to adhere to, or they can be difficult. You are in control.

You can create your own airlines or download configured ones from the website, including realistic or fantasy schedules. You can even import AI schedules from inside Flight Simulator (any schedules, even those that you may have added from third parties) and make them into FSCaptain airline schedules.

FSCaptain is easy to install and use, but it is not a cakewalk to climb the ladder of success. Each flight you make is graded, and to advance up the pay steps for your airline requires a minimum time in hours flown for each advancement along with a minimum average flight score for the level you are currently on. Much of your flight score is based on your on-time performance -- just like in the real world. But also, passenger satisfaction and adherence to company policies as well as safe operating practices are all factored in.

You will feel the pressure real pilots feel to meet schedules and be on-time, but not to cut corners with safety. Your flying skills will mostly determine your ability to keep the customers happy while they are riding with you, but your timing and communication skills are important too!

If you want more realism and a more professional approach to the job of being a virtual airline pilot (cargo or passenger) FSCaptain might be the career simulator for you!