Classes & tiers
vCareer organizes missions into six classes. Each class is independent, each has five tiers (T1 → T5), and each is entered with a short theory test. Pick what matches the flying you like — you don't have to do them in order.
The six classes
Each class is meant to feel like a different "career" inside the sim. None gates the others — you can hold T5 Bush and T1 Long Haul at the same time. Aircraft listed under each card are the typical fleet at low tiers; higher tiers unlock larger types.
Tier progression
Inside a class you progress along a five-rung ladder. T1 is granted at entry; subsequent tiers are gated by accumulated XP and mission counts — not by additional tests. Tier does not directly scale per-minute pay; the felt-progression comes from unlocking better aircraft and tougher mission ranges.
| TIER | LABEL | REQUIREMENT | REWARD |
|---|---|---|---|
| T1 | Apprentice | 0 XP — granted on entry test pass (70%) | Starter rating |
| T2 | Pilot | 90 XP (cumulative) · pass T2 theory test | Milestone rating · access to T2 mission range |
| T3 | Captain | 270 XP (cumulative) · pass T3 theory test | Higher-class rating · access to T3 mission range |
| T4 | Senior | 540 XP (cumulative) · pass T4 theory test | Premium rating · class-only routes |
| T5 | Master | 900 XP (cumulative) · pass T5 theory test | Top-tier rating · leaderboard standing |
Unlocking T2
T2 is the first real progression milestone — the point where the class opens up to longer legs, bigger aircraft, and (for airline / cargo / long haul classes) the milestone type rating. Three things have to be true:
- Accumulate 90 XP inside the class. XP is per-class and only counts missions flown in that class. A typical 90-minute mission at class rate 1.2 with average multipliers earns ~90 XP — so T2 is usually reachable in a single solid flight, sometimes two if your multipliers stay flat.
- Pay the T2 tier-up fees.
∀2,000for the theory test attempt +∀8,000tier registration on pass. Total:∀10,000. The test fee is refunded if you fail and retry inside the cooldown window. - Pass the T2 theory test. ~25 questions, 75% to pass — a step up from the entry test in both length and bar. Questions link to the same public references (SkyBrary, FAA handbooks) as the entry test, scoped to class-specific topics at T2 depth.
Entry tests
Every class is gated by a short theory test. The test isn't there to teach you — vCareer assumes you already know how to fly. It's a checkpoint: 10 multiple-choice questions, 70% to pass.
- Cost.
∀1,000per attempt. Refunded on pass; the class registration fee (varies by class) is debited separately on first pass. - Cooldown. One hour between failed attempts.
- Source. Questions link to public references — SkyBrary articles and FAA handbooks (PHAK, AFH). Study material lives there, not here.
- On pass. The starter type rating is granted automatically. You can take your first mission immediately.
Ratings inside a class
Each class has a fleet pool. Ratings come from two paths:
- Earned. The starter rating is free. Milestone ratings are granted at T2 and T3.
- Purchased. Anything past the milestone tree can be bought from the Ratings Shop with ∀Cred. Prices scale with category — see Type ratings for the table.
Strategy notes
A few patterns we see from alpha players:
- Multiclass early. The first 100h of progression is faster if you pass two entry tests and trade off based on which boards have ATC online today.
- Charter is the meta. Charter T2 unlocks the PC-24, which can pick up missions in three other classes' ranges. The community calls it "the glue".
- Cargo is for the patient. Long sectors, high pay, but multipliers stack worse because the night freight network sees less ATC.