Image: Screenshot of the Month winner Alec L.

Boston Virtual ARTCC's Community Newsletter · July 6, 2025

The Logan Informer is typically published on the first of every month. However, with many of our members attending last weekend’s FlightSimExpo, we’re sharing the July edition a few days later than usual.  

FlightSimExpo 2025

By: Camden Bruno, Cameron Peterson, Evan Reiter, and Josh Nunn

The sixth annual FlightSimExpo was held last weekend at the Rhode Island Convention Center in downtown Providence, marking the first time the show was held in our home airspace. Alongside VATUSA and VATSIM, Boston Virtual ARTCC had a massive presence at the event and helped to showcase the power of online ATC for pilot training, proficiency, and fun.

BVA’s presence at FlightSimExpo kicked off on the evening of Friday, June 27 with an FNO featuring KPVD, KBOS, and other neighboring airports—with staffing provided live from the show floor in Providence.

On Saturday and Sunday, more than 25 BVA controllers staffed KPVD, KBOS, and other airports during show hours. The display featured ATC setups from controllers across the VATSIM network, including a wraparound, four-projector display of Boston Tower brought in by a controller from the Seattle ARTCC.

In addition to the live ATC coverage, FlightSimExpo attendees had the opportunity to fly WINGS IFR 1 from the show floor with equipment provided by MSI Computers, Honeycomb Aeronautical, X-Plane, Tobii, Octavi, and more. These instructor-led demo flights allowed attendees new to VATSIM to experience the network for the first time. More than 30 WINGS flights were flown live from the event! The WINGS experience was led by a controller from Indy Center and supported by VATSIM members from around the world.

In all, over 100 VATSIM members supported the interactive display, which won the Attendee Choice Award for “Best Exhibit Booth” at the event. Leadership from across the network, including the VATSIM President, VATUSA1, and several other members of the VATSIM Board of Governors were in attendance at the show. Our combined presence is a great example of how the network can come together to create a unique, educational, and fun environment for the flight simmers attending one of the world’s largest flight sim conventions.

Boston Virtual ARTCC looks forward to FlightSimExpo 2026, which takes place June 12-14 at the Saint Paul RiverCentre, located a short 8-mile drive from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP). Tickets go on sale in December.

By: Cameron Peterson

Boston Virtual ARTCC proudly invites you to one of VATSIM’s longest-standing and most beloved traditions: the 26th Annual Boston Tea Party Live Event, coming to you Saturday, August 9 from 11am - 5pm ET (1500z–2100z).

For over two decades, this event has brought together controllers and pilots from across the world for a day of high-flying fun, full regional ATC coverage, and a celebration of the ZBW VATSIM community — both virtually and in-person.

This year, we're honoring our roots and the revolutionary spirit of Paul Revere and the historic Boston Tea Party with wall-to-wall staffing across the Northeast.

But that’s not all — join the Pilot Poker Run! Fly to multiple ZBW destinations, pick up virtual playing cards, and try your luck for the best hand. The top poker hands will be eligible for awesome giveaways courtesy of our generous flight simulation sponsors, to be announced soon^TM.

Whether you’re a veteran of many Tea Parties or this is your first, this is your chance to experience the Boston Virtual ARTCC at its best — with dozens of controllers operating side-by-side in person, live from our Tea Party headquarters in Nashua, NH.

By: Camden Bruno

The BVA Administration Team cordially invites all BVA members to a community meeting to review and outline the upcoming changes and enhancements planned for the community. This year's meeting will take place on Saturday, July 19th from 8:00pm to 10:00pm ET in the BVA Member TeamSpeak. After the meeting, the A-Team will hang out and invites controller members to join us for a staff-up and also encourages pilot members to fly in the airspace.

The meeting is open to all members of the community and will offer a dedicated time for Q&A with the A-Team staff. A full list of agenda topics will be announced soon. We look forward to talking and meeting with all of you.

Pilot Tip of the Month

Listening Before Transmitting

When assigned a frequency change by air traffic control, it's imperative that you spend a few moments on the new frequency building a mental picture of what is going on. This is particularly important during congested events such as Boston Tea Party and Cross the Pond. There have been many instances of pilots changing frequency and immediately contacting ATC without listening first, thereby stepping on another pilot (or the controller themselves) and blocking a transmission.

If you switch to a new frequency and can't get a word in because it's busy, wait until there is a break and call in. Sometimes, the controller may know you're on their frequency, and they will call you. Conversely, if it's quiet for a few seconds after listening, go ahead and make your call; just know that the controller may be coordinating behind-the-scenes and may not respond immediately.

For more information on radio procedures and other useful knowledge for operating in the Boston area, read our Airspace Briefing Guide here.

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