Pilot Code of Conduct

01. Purpose and Scope

This Code applies to all pilots, applicants, management personnel and other community members participating in British Midland Virtual, British Midland Regional and associated Group activities.

It covers our Discord communities, website, BMAcars, events and other Group services. It also applies when members represent British Midland on online networks, in public communications or through conduct directly connected with their membership.

Members must follow this Code alongside the rules of the platforms and flight simulation networks they use.

02. Respect and Inclusion

Treat every member with courtesy and respect, regardless of their experience, background, nationality, disability, beliefs, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity.

Harassment, discrimination, bullying, threats, intimidation, personal attacks and hateful behaviour are prohibited. This includes targeting someone through jokes, repeated unwanted contact or encouraging others to mistreat them.

Respect personal boundaries. If someone asks you to stop contacting them or discussing a personal matter, stop.

Disagreements should remain constructive. Challenge an idea or decision respectfully without attacking the person involved.

03. A Welcoming Learning Environment

We welcome beginners and experienced pilots equally. Be patient, offer useful guidance and remember that everyone started somewhere.

Do not ridicule members for asking questions, making mistakes, using a particular simulator or choosing a different level of realism.

Give advice respectfully and make clear when you are expressing a personal preference. During organised training or events, follow the instructions of the designated organiser or instructor.

Members are encouraged to ask for help whenever they are unsure.

04. Appropriate Content and Communication

Do not post, share, stream or link to:

• Sexually explicit or NSFW material.
• Graphic violence or disturbing imagery.
• Racist, sexist, homophobic or other discriminatory content.
• Illegal material, threats or content encouraging unlawful activity.
• Material intended to harass, humiliate or provoke other members.

Avoid disruptive arguments about real-world politics or religion in Group community spaces.

Use appropriate Discord channels and follow channel descriptions, pinned guidance and event instructions. Keep public conversations in English so that members and moderators can participate. Treat language difficulties patiently.

In voice channels, avoid shouting, deliberately disruptive audio, soundboard abuse and repeatedly speaking over others. Respect requests to reduce background noise.

05. Spam, Advertising and Unwanted Contact

Do not disrupt the community through excessive messages, repeated posts, emoji spam, unnecessary mentions or misuse of mass notifications.

Unsolicited promotional messages and repeated unwanted direct messages to members are prohibited.

Prior management permission is required before advertising:

• Other virtual airlines or Discord servers.
• Twitch, YouTube or other creator channels.
• Businesses, products, paid services or fundraising.
• Recruitment campaigns or commercial partnerships.

Relevant recommendations and ordinary flight simulation discussion are welcome, provided they do not become advertising or repeated promotion.

Do not use membership lists or access to Group services to collect contacts for recruitment or marketing.

06. Flight Simulation Conduct

Whenever you fly under a British Midland callsign or identify yourself as a British Midland pilot, represent the community responsibly.

Prepare appropriately for your flight, use an aircraft you can operate safely within the simulated environment and seek assistance when needed.

On VATSIM, IVAO or another online network:

• Follow that network’s current rules and operating requirements.
• Comply with lawful network staff instructions and applicable air traffic control instructions.
• Maintain the required level of attention and availability.
• Communicate courteously and avoid deliberately disrupting other users.
• Use the appropriate callsign, flight plan and aircraft information.
• Follow the network’s procedures if you cannot continue a flight or resolve an operational difficulty.

For Group events, follow published briefings and organiser instructions. Raise concerns calmly and allow organisers to manage disruptions.

Mistakes made in good faith are opportunities to learn. Deliberately disruptive flying, abusive communications and repeated disregard of reasonable instructions may result in disciplinary action.

British Midland management may restrict participation in a Group activity. Network access and network disciplinary decisions remain the responsibility of the relevant network.

07. Flight Records and BMAcars Integrity

Submit accurate flight information and use BMAcars and other Group systems honestly.

Do not knowingly:

• Falsify flight reports, hours, routes, scores or achievements.
• Alter or manipulate tracking data to obtain an unfair benefit.
• Claim flights completed by another person.
• Exploit software faults to gain credit or bypass restrictions.
• Use another member’s account or allow someone else to submit activity through yours.

Follow published operational rules concerning flight tracking, simulator functions and acceptable flight submissions.

If a report is incorrect or a technical fault affects your flight, explain the issue to management. An honest error or software failure is not, by itself, misconduct.

Report suspected faults privately and do not exploit them while awaiting a fix.

08. Software Licensing and Intellectual Property

Members must comply with BMV-POL-002 — Anti-Piracy & Licensing.

Use appropriately licensed software and respect the permissions attached to aircraft, scenery, charts, liveries, media and other resources.

Do not distribute pirated material, share unauthorised licence keys, post piracy links or use Group services to facilitate infringement.

Confirmed deliberate and intentional use of pirated software will result in immediate termination of membership under BMV-POL-002. Required notifications to VATSIM will be handled in accordance with that policy.

09. Privacy and Account Security

Respect the privacy of members and protect your account.

Do not disclose another person’s personal, financial or account information without an appropriate lawful basis or permission. Never publish passwords, access tokens, private account links or other credentials.

Do not share private messages, recordings or screenshots without the permission of those involved, except where reasonably necessary to report misconduct, obtain safeguarding assistance or comply with a legal obligation. Provide such material privately to an appropriate recipient.

Obtain permission before recording non-public Group voice conversations. When streaming or sharing your screen, protect private channels, messages and account information.

Do not impersonate another member, misuse staff access or attempt to gain unauthorised access to Group systems.

Report suspected account compromise or accidental disclosure promptly. Personal information will be handled in accordance with BMV-POL-001 — Privacy & Data Protection.

10. Age Requirement and Membership Responsibilities

British Midland is an 18+ community. Applicants and Discord members must be at least 18 years old and provide truthful age confirmation.

Do not misrepresent your eligibility or help another person bypass membership requirements. Raise concerns about an underage account privately with management; do not request or publish someone’s identity documents.

Members must keep necessary account information accurate and observe published membership and operational requirements.

Membership does not authorise anyone to speak officially for British Midland. Public statements, partnership commitments and use of official branding on behalf of the Group require management authorisation.

11. Reporting Concerns and Staff Conduct

Report suspected misconduct privately to a staff member or the Management Committee. Include relevant dates, messages or other supporting information where reasonably available.

You may also contact:

Contact.britishmidlandvirtual@gmail.com

Do not publicly accuse individuals, organise retaliation or conduct your own investigation into their private information.

Good-faith reports and requests for review must not lead to harassment or retaliation. Knowingly fabricated allegations or deliberately misleading evidence may themselves constitute misconduct.

Staff must apply this Code consistently, handle reports discreetly and avoid using their position to intimidate members or settle personal disputes.

Where a complaint concerns a staff member, another appropriate management member should review it. Anyone with a material conflict of interest should step back from the decision where practicable.

12. Enforcement, Review and Amendments

Follow reasonable staff instructions intended to maintain order or protect members. If you disagree with a decision, raise your concern privately and respectfully.

Management will consider the seriousness of the conduct, available evidence, previous relevant incidents and any explanation provided.

Depending on the circumstances, action may include:

• Informal guidance or a written warning.
• Removal of content or temporary communication restrictions.
• Suspension from events, flying privileges or Group services.
• Termination of membership and removal from the community.

These measures are not a mandatory sequence. Serious misconduct may justify immediate removal, and BMV-POL-002 requires immediate termination for confirmed deliberate piracy.

Temporary protective restrictions may be imposed while a report is investigated. Members should normally have an opportunity to respond, subject to urgent protective action and the privacy of others.

A member may request a review by contacting management privately, explaining the decision being challenged and any relevant information. Where practicable, someone not responsible for the original decision should conduct the review. Restrictions remain in effect unless management changes them.

The Management Committee maintains this Code and will communicate material amendments through established Group channels. The current approved version will be available on the official website.