CIVIL RESERVE AIR FLEET
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AIR MOBILITY
COMMAND CIVIL RESERVE AIR FLEET |
Current as of 04 Mar 2009 |
The Civil Reserve Air Fleet program has been established to create a mutual program to bridge the gap between VATSIM Special Operations Branches, and the Civilian Carrier operations within the network. The program uses selected aircraft from United States based airlines, contractually committed to the Civil Reserve Air Fleet Program to Support VATSIM-United Nations Air Force airlift requirements. These airlift operations are used in emergencies when the need for airlift exceeds the capability of military aircraft.
The Civil Reserve Air Fleet program is divided into these main segments. Airlines interested in this program, must meet the descriptions provided for application into the program.
| INTERNATIONAL – LONG RANGE |
| This segment is comprised of passenger and cargo aircraft capable of transoceanic operations to augment Air Mobility Command Long-Range Intertheatre operations. Some of the typical aircraft that the Air Mobility Command uses in this mission are the Boeing C-17 Globemaster III and the Lockheed C-5 Galaxy. This augmentation is used during the periods of increased airlift needs during minor contingencies through full national mobilization |
| INTERNATIONAL – SHORT RANGE |
| This segment is comprised of medium sized passenger and cargo aircraft to support near offshore airlift requirements during periods of increased airlift needs. |
| NATIONAL – DOMESTIC |
| This segment is intended to augment the initial mobilization periods to allow the movement of personnel and equipment through the United States in preparation for further deployment. |
| NATIONAL – ALASKAN |
| This segment is similar to the National-Domestic segment, in that it is intended to augment the asset movement to Alaska and Hawaii. |
| AEROMEDICAL |
| This segment is specialized to the evacuation of casualties from operation theatres to Hospitals in the Continuous United States. This requires the ability of both transoceanic, and long to short range domestic aircraft. In addition to the evacuation of casualties, the aero medical segment will be tasked with the movement of medical supplies and personnel to and from the theatre of operation. Conversion of civilian fleets it completed with pre-fabricated kits composed of litter stanchions, litters, and aero medical equipment. |
Airlines interested in participating in this program need to understand that they will be contractually pledging aircraft to one or all of the CRAF segments, ready for activation when needed, as outlined in the agreed contract.
As an incentive to commit the aircraft, the Air Mobility Command will award peacetime airlift contracts to those airlines, which contract to the CRAF program. This includes the peacetime movement of personnel and equipment. For Virtual Airlines that who perform budgeting functions, the Air Mobility Command has the capital to award contracts in the following areas:
| International Service Contract | $362 Million |
| Domestic Service Contract | $345 Million |
| Aeromedical Service Contract | $115 Million |
| $822 Million |
In addition to these guaranteed contracts the Air Mobility Command has a reserve fund of $112 Million in non-guaranteed contract business.
FLEET COMMITMENTS
CRAF Participants must meet the following requirements for consideration for admission into the CRAF program. To participate each applicant airline must be able to demonstrate substantial, equivalent and comparable service for the last six months, as to the service in which applying for. The Airline must also meet the standards as set for in Federal Aviation Regulation Part 121, Air Carrier requirements.
| To be considered for LONG-RANGE Flight Commitments, you must: |
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| To be considered for SHORT-RANGE Flight Commitments, you must: |
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| To be considered for NATIONAL Flight Commitment, you must: |
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Air carriers with aircraft too small to be eligible for the above requirements, can received a Certificate of Technical Ineligibility so that they can compete for peacetime airlift business.
CURRENT CRAF OPENINGS (Airlift Requirements are subject to change monthly)
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Actual Aircraft |
Estimated |
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| INTERNATIONAL | 575 | |
| Long-Range | 495 | 20 |
| Short-Range | 80 | 10 |
| NATIONAL | 60 | |
| Domestic | 45 | 05 |
| Alaskan | 15 | 05 |
| AEROMEDICAL | 30 | 05 |
CRAF ACTIVATION STAGES
Upon call up, contracted CRAF airlines will receive notification from the Commanding Officer of the Air Mobility Command. After receiving this notification, those airlines have 24 to 72 hours to have Aircraft Mission Ready. It should be noted that CRAF contracted aircraft are operated and maintained with their own airline resources, however, Air Mobility Command controls the aircraft mission(s).
The activations stages are:
| NORMAL | This is normal peacetime operations |
| STAGE I | This is a Minor Regional Crisis |
| STAGE II | This is a Major Regional Contingency |
| STAGE III | This is a full national mobilization |
AIR CARRIER SURVEY AND ANALYSIS DIVISION
The Air Carrier Survey and Analysis Division (ACSAD) have been established to conduct the initial inspection of CRAF applicant airlines for the Air Mobility Command. The ACSAD is also tasked with the continual interim and annual reviews of CRAF contractors. The ACSAD is comprised of 3-5 Virtual United States Air Force Officers with established records in VATSIM and the VATSIM Special Operations Division. This board will evaluate the contractor in the following areas only:
Air Carrier Aircraft Capabilities / Fleet Statistics
Airline Quality Control Practices
Airline Crew Qualifications
INFORMATION CONTACT
For more information or to apply as a Civilian Reserve Air Fleet Contractor please contact the program administrator:
Ben
Oakley, General, VUSAF
Chief of Staff (HQUSAF/CS)