Image: Screenshot of the Month winner David Y.

Boston Virtual ARTCC's Community Newsletter · April 1, 2026

Cape Air Virtual Announces Expansion to Capes Across the World

By: Harry Murphine

In a bold move to bring the friendly, community-driven spirit of our virtual airline to all corners of the planet, Cape Air Virtual is proud to announce today that it will be undergoing an unprecedented worldwide expansion.

By the end of this year, Cape Air Virtual will serve every cape it can find, regardless of time zone, climate, or logic.

New destinations include:

• Cape Horn, Chile: With non-stop service to Antarctica using CAV’s new winterized aircraft, passengers will be able to explore a mostly untouched part of the world. Vacation packages offering penguin tours and Southern Lights sightings will also be available for purchase.
• Cape Canaveral, FL: Cape Air Virtual has received special authorization to violate rocket launch TFRs, offering passengers a once in a lifetime opportunity to experience Florida’s Space Coast up close and personal. Pilots will wear astronaut suits and announce a “countdown” to takeoff.
• Cape Fear, NC: Have no fear, Cape Air is here! Special packages include in-flight ghost tours and lighthouse sightings guided by CAV’s professional flight crews.
• Cape of Good Hope, South Africa: Experience the southernmost point in Africa in dramatic fashion as flights will circle Cape Town’s dramatic cliffs and stunning blue water.
• Cape Disappointment, WA: Don’t let the name fool you. You’ll be glad you came, although every flight announcement will contain at least one subtle complaint about the weather.

An unnamed spokesperson for the company (pictured below) was quoted saying, “We started on Cape Cod because it felt like home. Now, we’re taking the Cape Air spirit global, one cape at a time.”

By: Cam Bruno

If you’re like the 1 in 3 flight simmers who struggle to get enough sleep, don't listen to buzzwords from "experts" like 'eat healthy' or 'exercise'. We all know that natural light touching your skin is the natural enemy of good sleep.

Instead, get the new, clinically-proven*, pillow-based sleep system that works for nerds of all ages. The BVA Pillow, part of Boston Virtual ARTCC's new Home & Fashion line, is designed with comfort, style, and functionality in mind.

Fully compatible with college dorms, parents' basements, studio apartments, and Basic Economy seats! 

(We're actually not joking this time. Order yours now at shop.bvartcc.com.)

*For legal purposes, "clinically-proven" means getting a bunch of BVA controllers together in Nashua/Manchester annually.

By: Cam Bruno

“BVA has always been built by members who go above and beyond for the community. The Community Recognition Program is our way of ensuring those contributions are recognized in a meaningful and lasting way.”

As BVA continues to grow and evolve, so does our commitment to recognizing the individuals who make this community exceptional.

Effective April 1, we are proud to introduce the Community Recognition Program — a formal structure designed to acknowledge sustained dedication and exceptional contribution within BVA.

This program reinforces something we already value: meaningful impact, mentorship, leadership, and long-term commitment to our community.

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The Community Recognition Program consists of two primary recognitions:

1. BVA Legacy List
2. Member of the Year

BVA Legacy List

The BVA Legacy List honors individuals whose sustained contributions have had a lasting and meaningful impact on our community. Legacy recognition reflects long-term dedication, cultural influence, leadership, and service to BVA over time.

Additions to the Legacy List are made at Administration Team discretion and are not tied to a fixed schedule. Each induction is intended to be meaningful and intentional.

With the launch of the Community Recognition Program, we are proud to introduce the first additions to BVA Legacy List. These three individuals's leadership, mentorship, and dedication have helped shape the community we know today.

Clifton “Clif” Whitten (WN)
Former Air Traffic Manager • Board of Directors Member

Clif has been one of BVA’s most influential leaders over more than fifteen years of service to the community. After joining the Administration Team as Events Coordinator, he later served as Deputy Air Traffic Manager and ultimately Air Traffic Manager, guiding BVA through the unprecedented growth in activity during the COVID-era flight simulation boom. Today, Clif continues to support the community as a member of BVA’s Board of Directors, helping guide the organization’s long-term direction.

Mike Willey (WY)
Former Training Administrator • Mentor • Instructor

Mike has been a cornerstone of BVA’s training program since joining the community in December 2009. Rising from Mentor to Instructor and eventually Training Administrator, he helped develop countless controllers and shape the instructional standards that continue to support BVA today. Known to many as BVA’s early morning controller, Mike’s calm presence and mentorship on frequency have made a lasting impact on pilots and controllers alike - a reputation reflected in the 18 “Excellent” pilot feedback reviews he received in 2025 alone.

Jamsheed “Sheed” Lovelace (LE)
Former Training Administrator • Instructor

Jay has been an integral part of the BVA community since 2008, contributing extensively to both the training program and the broader flight simulation community. After many years serving as a Mentor and Instructor, he joined the Administration Team as Training Administrator in 2019, where he led BVA’s training program through the unprecedented demand surge during the COVID era and implemented improvements that continue to support the facility today. Jay remains an Instructor to this day, continuing to mentor and develop controllers within the community, and is widely known through his Twitch streaming presence, where many came to know him as “Sheed” and were introduced to VATSIM and BVA.

The full Legacy List citations for these members can now be found on the BVA Legacy List page.

Where applicable, Legacy-recognized controllers who meet VATUSA eligibility requirements may also receive the C3 (Senior Controller) designation in accordance with divisional policy. As part of this recognition, Mike Willey (WY) and Jay Lovelace (LE) will be nominated for the VATSIM Senior Controller (C3) rating.

Each of these individuals has helped shape BVA in lasting ways, and we are grateful for their continued impact on our community.

Member of the Year

Beginning this year, BVA will recognize a Member of the Year to highlight exceptional contributions within a single calendar year.

This recognition is open to all BVA members - controllers and non-controllers alike - and reflects outstanding dedication, mentorship, operational excellence, and community impact.

The first Member of the Year will be announced in December 2026.

Our Philosophy

Recognition within this program is not automatic or progressive. It exists to celebrate meaningful contribution - not to create competition or milestones.

BVA is built on the people who dedicate their time, knowledge, and energy to strengthening this community. The Community Recognition Program ensures that sustained service and exceptional impact are acknowledged in a thoughtful and lasting way.

We look forward to continuing to recognize those who elevate BVA.

Pilot Tip of the Month

STARs and Approaching Airports

As you transition out of the enroute environment and prepare for approach into a major airport, you may receive either a runway transition or a landing direction, based on how the Standard Terminal Arrival Route (STAR) is configured. This will often be issued using the phrase "descend via" and could include a direction (e.g., "landing north") or a specific runway transition (e.g., "Runway 27").

At Boston and Manchester, "descend via" will include a runway transition. Once issued "descend via", you should check on with the following information when you contact a new frequency:

• Your altitude: as with any frequency change in the air, advise the new controller of your altitude.
• "Descending via": if you're on an RNAV arrival, verify with the controller that you are descending via the arrival.
• Transition/direction: if you're on a runway transition ("descend via JFUND2 arrival, Runway 4R"), include this in your initial contact to verify with the controller that you know which runway you're descending towards. If you were told a direction ("descend via the CHPPR1 arrival, landing west"), verify that instead.
• The current ATIS: ensure you have the latest ATIS letter and weather information. This saves both you and the controller from another transmission.

Boston Approach will issue the specific runway and approach assignment after you check on. As always, if you have any questions or are unsure about an instruction, advise air traffic control.

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