VAF RULES AND REGULATIONS

General participation conditions applicable to all airshows organised by Virtual Air Festivals. All pilots and display teams must read and acknowledge these regulations before participating in any VAF event.

1. 1 All applications are to be submitted within the stipulated time frame prior to the event.
2. 2 All applicants and participants must be over the age of 13, in compliance with broadcasting guidelines set by our streaming services.
3. 3 Applications must be filled out to the best of the applicant's abilities and with detailed information
4. 4 All applications must include a Quality Control (QC) video. This video should be a recording as representative of the applicant's performance as possible, demonstrating the most recent and current flying and production of the team. Work-in-progress elements (i.e. music, different cameras, narration...) should be included and mentioned as "work-in-progress", as they help to reflect the expected level of quality.
5. 5 Duplicate demonstrations are not allowed. Only one representation of a display is allowed at each show. Demonstrations that are too similar are also subject to this rule (e.g. no two modern Blue Angels demonstrations, but one modern and one retro is allowed). For more details on the duplicate teams policy, refer to section D.
6. 6 Anticipated modifications to a demonstration, not reflected in the Quality Control video are to be clearly stated in the application.
7. 7 Once a team’s Quality Control has been accepted, and the team confirmed their attendance, any major change or cancellation of their presentation is not allowed. Major changes or cancellation due to unforeseen circumstances may be allowed under a VAF Staff member’s explicit approval.
8. 8 Rejected applications are non-negotiable. Respect the decision of the VAF Staff members and strive to submit a Quality Control video of higher standards for the next show. A rejected team may request honest feedback from VAF staff about their Quality Control performance.

1. 1 Pre-recorded displays are not allowed; only live and real-time performances are permitted.
2. 2 The maximum introduction video duration permitted for each team is subject to the number of aircraft in the team. Solo: 2 min, < 3-ship: 3 min, 4-ship: 4 min, 5+ ship: 5 min
3. 3 The maximum ground operation length permitted for each team is subject to the number of aircraft in the team. Solo: 2 min, < 3-ship: 3 min, 4-ship: 4 min, 5+ ship: 5 min
4. 4 The total duration for the flying part of a demonstration (takeoff to landing/end) is subject to the number of aircraft in the team. Solo: 15 min, 2/3-ship: 25 min, 4-ship: 35 min, 5+ ship: 455 min
5. 5 The designated airspace for VAF shows is a 5nm (~10km) radius around the show centre point. This requirement may be exceeded for timing reasons if additional aircraft performing in the same show are inside the aerobatic box.
6. 6 The designated aerobatic box for VAF shows is rectangular in shape. It extends 6,000ft (~2km) in front of the camera position, 13,000ft (~4km) left and right, and a ceiling up to 15,000ft (4.5km).
7. 7 The aerobatic box must not remain empty for longer than 2 minutes during any performance, except in cases of technical difficulties.
8. 8 Aerobatic manoeuvres directly above the virtual public are not allowed.
9. 9 Non-aerobatic performances must demonstrate a clear connection to an air show performance. Weapons are not allowed unless authorised by VAF Staff.
10. 10 Once a team has confirmed their attendance to a show after the QC process, cancellation is prohibited. In unforeseen circumstances, a recording of the performance should be provided to ensure show continuity. Sanctions are a temporary or definitive ban of all VAF events.

1. 1 Formation precision: Good and consistent alignment, spacing, symmetry between aircraft.
2. 2 Formation coordination: Smooth transitions between formations and manoeuvres.
3. 3 Formation timing: Good synchronization withing the formation, and with separate elements (e.g. solos).
4. 4 Manoeuvre execution: Good precision, smoothness, stability.
5. 5 Manoeuvre difficulty: Inclusion of challenging manoeuvres is taken into account.
6. 6 Airmanship: Confident and skillful flying is taken into account.
7. 7 Variety: an entertaining variety of manoeuvres and formations.
8. 8 Audience entertainment: speak to the audience with a speaker or through the radio.
9. 9 Entertainment, spectacle: Overall entertainment value of the performance for the viewers.
10. 10 Sound quality: clear sound, good volume mixing of game, commentary, and music.
11. 11 Camera work: smooth, stable and clear imagery, multiple viewpoints.
12. 12 Multiple cameras: varied viewpoints (e.g. show-center, cockpit, aircraft-attached, top-down, etc).
13. 13 Visuals: Well-made overlays (e.g. show current manoeuvre), introduction video...
14. 14 Music selection: suitable, fitting music that enhances the viewing experience.
15. 15 Music synchronization: Alignment of music selection with specific manoeuvres or sequences.

1. 1 Mutual agreement: a clear, written, and unambiguous agreement between the two teams regarding show participation may be accepted by VAF.
2. 2 Any team able to provide an official document authorizing them to represent a specific real-life unit or team will have priority.
3. 3 Seniority: If one Quality Control isn't significantly better than the other, and no decisive argument is presented, the team with the longest recognized active history will have priority.
4. 4 Seniority status currency: A team considered inactive may lose its seniority status. A team is deemed inactive when it has shown no social media, airshow, or public activity for more than 6 moths.

1. 1 All sanctions are at the discretion of the VAF staff.
2. 2 Sanctions may include temporary or permanent exclusions on VAF's Twitch/YouTube, Discord, and/or events.
3. 3 Excluded members have the right to appeal through official channels.

These rules have been designed with the good of the community and the VAF project in mind. When participating in a VAF event or in the VAF community, you agree to follow these rules in good faith.