International Virtual Aviation Organisation
The International Virtual Aviation Organisation, IVAO for short, was founded in 1998 to provide an online platform for flight simulation enthusiasts to enjoy their hobby in a simulated real-world environment, in company of other people, flying or providing Air Traffic Control services.
IVAO is a legally registered not-for-profit-organisation (NPO) under Belgian law. It has a multi-layered management structure to ensure it is strategically governed in a fair, legal and transparent way. All IVAO’s services and software will always be provided free of charge as the organisation’s costs are covered by private donations and corporate sponsorship. For more information about how the NPO is administered please visit the Association page.
Mission of the IVAO
To provide an environment for a realistic Flight and Air Traffic Control simulation via the internet, utilizing the International Virtual Aviation Network without charging money and available to anyone who agrees with the membership requirements.
The main goals are to provide:
A highly realistic simulation experience whilst maintaining a fun and friendly atmosphere;
Supply the required internet services; and
Information and training in real life procedures for both Pilots and Air Traffic Controllers.
When simulating real world aviation in the IVAO environment, we will avoid, at any price, to simulate or to become involved in real world ethical, political and religious conflicts and problems. We also will not allow the simulation of any form of aggression or war. IVAO is an entertaining and educational network where every world citizen, without any exception, is welcome to join the fun and pursue there virtual aviation experience.
History
IVAO was first created on 16th December 1998. Major milestones were achieved with the release of it’s own software like IvAc and IvAp. Since then, the network and surrounding community have experienced exponential growth.
By 2006, it became clear that IVAO needed some sort of formal body to help manage the infrastructure, funding, and promotion of the community-driven project in order for it to continue to flourish. And so, the IVAO NPO (non-profit-organisation) was legally born in April 2007.
The IVAO NPO was created for several reasons. The main reason was the possibility to give IVAO a legal body thus ensuring that the IVAO community could continue to use the services of IVAO for a long time to come, even if the existing management would leave the organisation for whatever reason. The NPO provides the possibility to easily change the people who manage the organisation without the need for any disputes about ownership.
A second point for the creation of the association was the possibility to accept donations, and a financial framework. In this case the community has the possibility to support the organisation by donating money to a legal company.
The IVAO East Asia Region Multi-Country Division (XE)
The IVAO East Asia Region is responsible for Hong Kong, Korea, Macao, The Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam airspace.
Operating under the ISO code (XE) the division manages the airspace from South China to Korea across the Pacific.
The main obstacle of IVAO XE Division is to group all flight simulation enthusiasts in this special region. IVAO XE provides a common platform for them to communicate and enjoy online flying or air traffic controlling experiences.
The XE Division also works independently with the own local procedures and training refer to the real world aviation for members. Moreover, the Division is responsible for publishing documentation, procedures and charts as well as organising events and tours.
Mission of the IVAO XE Division
To provide a highly realistic simulation experience whilst maintaining a fun and friendly atmosphere;
To provide information and training in real life procedures for Pilots and Air Traffic Controllers; and
To bridge flight simulation and aviation education.
XE Division News, Announcements and NOTAM
Milestones of the XE Division
On 9 August 2014, the Hong Kong Division of the IVAO was officially established with 8 months of preparation and communications to the Headquarters. Members across 60 countries joined the celebration event “What if… Hong Kong” to fly in and out with the full coverage of Hong Kong ATC. Later on, the division participated in 20 events and created 13 tours from 2014 to 2015.
The SSR Assignment Portal was launched in November 2014, together with the ATC Dashboard, provide an automated assistant to Hong Kong controllers.
The Hong Kong IVAC2 Data Prep Team is founded in August 2015 to prepare FIR data for the next generation of the IVAO ATC client.
The first Real Flight Event of Hong Kong with 280 booked flights was held on 13 December 2015. RFE provides a real life schedule with assigned parking slot for members to participate in.
In January 2016, the registered Hong Kong Division members reached 350.
At the end of 2018 December, multiple countries together with Hong Kong joined into a new XE Multi Country Division to set a new horizon.