VAP AIR
The story behind my private virtual airline and its connection to aviation history
VAP AIR Overview
VP
IATA Code
VAP
ICAO Code
VIPERJET
Callsign
2020
Founded
VAP AIR (VirtualAirlinePilot) is my private airline attached to my VirtualAirlinePilot identity. Founded in August 2020, along with my Website and YouTube channel, VAP AIR now operates online with VATSIM using the callsign VIPERJET and the flight codes VP and VAP. My airline is mainly a LEASE airline that operates flights for other virtual travel companies, airlines and organisations.
Current Fleet
Currently operating nine aircraft including two helicopters in MSFS2020
Airbus A319, Airbus A320NEO, Airbus A320 CFM & IAE, Airbus A330-900NEO, Boeing 737-800BW, Boeing 777200ER, Boeing 777-300ER and the Bell 407 JetRanger & Bell 47G2 Helicopters
Bell Helicopter
Specialized helicopter operations for unique missions and scenic tours
Airbus A320 NEO
Modern narrow-body aircraft for medium-haul routes and passenger operations
Cessna Aircraft
Light aircraft for training flights and short-range operations
The VASP Connection
The story behind adopting the codes of a defunct Brazilian airline
VASP Airlines - Research
A long and considerable period of research was undertaken to find an airline FLIGHT and IATA/ICAO code that was no longer in use. In 1933, the Brazilian airline VASP (Viação Aérea São Paulo S/A) was formed with headquarters in the VASP Building, on the grounds of São Paulo–Congonhas Airport.
Operations
From the early 2000's, the Airline operated for over 76 years of service, utilising some 34 aircraft on several routes, both International and Domestic.
Closure
In January 2009, the Airline ceased operations and closed its doors.
Adoption Process
After working hard to ensure that this Brazilian airline VASP was indeed defunct, and that we could therefore "use" its codes, myself and my co-founder, Neil Warman, decided that we would use it in the form you see below when flying for our Airline online with VATSIM.
Whilst the old VASP Brazilian Airline had the IATA code of VSP, we also decided that we would adopt the code VAP, as we could not see it in use anywhere else. After some discussion, we decided to adopt the callsign VIPERJET for our flights.
Airline: VAP AIR • IATA Code: VP • ICAO Code: VAP • Callsign: ViperJet
Recent Discovery
An unexpected finding that may impact our future operations
Phuket Air Conflict
Recently, it has come to light that PHUKET AIR, operating out of Bangkok and Phuket with just two aircraft, a Boeing 747-400 and a Boeing 757, was formed in 2001 with the IATA code VAP.
For now, we have decided to leave our IATA code as is (VAP) since we do not often fly to Thailand. This may change if we do and it is possible that we will use the old VASP flight code of VSP for flights in the Far East only.
Adaptive Operations
