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Participating Virtual Airlines A unique and significant part of the nation's mobility resources is the Virtual Civil Reserve Air Fleet (VCRAF). Selected civil aircraft from U.S. virtual airlines, contractually committed to VCRAF, support Virtual Military Command's (VMC) airlift requirements in emergencies when the airlift need exceeds the capability of military aircraft. The VCRAF has three main segments: International, National, and Aeromedical Evacuation (AE). The International segment is further divided into the Long-Range and Short-Range sections and the National segment into the Domestic and Alaskan sections. Assignment of aircraft to a segment depends on the nature of the requirement and the performance characteristics needed. The Long-Range International (LRI) section consists of passenger and cargo aircraft capable of transoceanic operations. The role of these aircraft is to augment the Virtual Air Mobility Command's (VAMC’s) long-range intertheater C-141s, C-5s, and C-17s during periods of increased airlift needs, from minor contingencies up through full national defense emergencies. Medium-sized passenger and cargo aircraft make up the Short-Range International section supporting near offshore airlift requirements. The aircraft in the Alaskan section provide airlift within U.S. Pacific Command's area of responsibility. The Domestic section is designed to satisfy increased DOD airlift requirements in the U.S. during an emergency. The Aeromedical Evacuation segment assists in the evacuation of casualties from operational theaters to hospitals in the continental United States. These aircraft are also used to return medical supplies and medical crews to the theater of operations. Kits containing litter stanchions, litters, and other aeromedical equipment are used to convert civil B-767 passenger aircraft into air ambulances. The airlines contractually pledge aircraft to the various VCRAF segments, ready for activation when needed. To provide incentives for civil carriers to commit these aircraft to the VCRAF program and to assure the United States of adequate airlift reserves, VAMC awards peacetime airlift contracts to civilian airlines which offer aircraft to the VCRAF. The International Airlift Services contract is the largest of these. For Fiscal Year 1997, the guaranteed portion of the contract is v$334 million. VAMC estimates that throughout Fiscal Year 1997 it will also award over v$260 million in additional business that is not guaranteed. To join VCRAF, carriers must maintain minimum LRI fleet commitment levels (30 percent for passenger and 15 percent for cargo). Aircraft committed must be U.S.-registered aircraft capable of overwater operations, at least 3,500 nautical mile range, and 10 hours per day utilization rate. Carriers must also commit and maintain at least four complete crews for each aircraft. Short-Range International section aircraft must be capable of overwater operations and at least 1,500 nautical mile range. National segment aircraft must be capable of carrying 75 passengers or 32,000 pounds of cargo. Carriers with aircraft that are too small to be eligible for the CRAF program, are issued a certificate of technical ineligibility so they can still compete for government airlift business. As of October 1, 1997, 37 carriers and 681 aircraft were enrolled in the VCRAF. This includes 597 aircraft in the International Segment (508 in the Long-Range International Section and 89 in the Short-Range International Section), and 56 and 28 aircraft, respectively, in the National and Aeromedical Evacuation segments. These numbers are subject to change on a monthly basis. Three stages of incremental activation allow for tailoring an airlift force suitable for the contingency at hand. Stage I is for minor regional crises, Stage II would be used for a major regional contingencies, and Stage III for periods of national mobilization. The Commander in Chief, United States Transportation Command (USCINCTRANS), with approval of the Secretary of Defense, is the activation authority for all three Stages of CRAF. During a crisis, if VAMC has a need for additional aircraft it would request USTRANSCOM take steps to activate the appropriate VCRAF stage. Each stage of theVCRAF activation is only used to the extent necessary to provide the amount of civil augmentation airlift needed by DOD. When notified of call-up, the carrier response time to have its aircraft ready for a VCRAF mission is 24-48 hours after the mission is assigned by VAMC. The air carriers continue to operate and maintain the aircraft with their resources; however, VAMC controls the aircraft missions. Safety is the paramount concern, and numerous procedures are in effect to ensure that the air carriers with which VAMC contracts afford the highest level of safety to DOD passengers. Prior to receiving a contract, DOD carriers must demonstrate that they have provided substantially equivalent and comparable commercial service for 1 year prior to flying for the DOD. All carriers must be fully certified FAA carriers and meet the stringent standards of the Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) pertaining to commercial airlines (Part 121). A DOD survey team, composed of experienced VAMC pilots and skilled maintenance personnel, performs an on-site inspection of the carriers. This team conducts a comprehensive inspection which includes carrier's aircraft, training facilities, crew qualifications, maintenance procedures, and quality control practices to maximize the likelihood that the carrier would safely perform for the DOD. After passing this survey, the carrier is certified as DOD-approved. VAMC analysts then continue to monitor the carrier's safety record, operations and maintenance status, contract performance, financial condition, and management initiatives, summarizing significant trends in a comprehensive review every six months. In addition to this in-depth review, there are several other surveillance initiatives. These include safety preflight inspections of commercial aircraft by DOD designated inspectors, periodic cockpit observations on operational flights by highly experienced pilots from VAMC’s Air Carrier Survey and Analysis Division, and an increase in the frequency of on-site surveys. These initiatives and the surveys are further supplemented by an open flow of information on all contract carriers between VAMC and the FAA through established liaison officers. Participating Virtual Airlines:
Total of 96 cargo flights per month. Airbus 300 Route Schedule
The following air carriers are members of the (real AMC) Civil Reserve Air Fleet: Long-Range International Section Airborne Express Short-Range International Section Alaska Airlines Aeromedical Evacuation Segment Delta Airlines Domestic Section America West Express Alaskan Section: Northern Air Cargo
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Virtual CIVIL RESERVE AIR FLEET (VCRAF)