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Your Rank in PGA will be the basis from which you argue what type of plane you fly, what sort of cargo you may haul and where you fly. You will need to understand this section well in order to make a good Charter Argument and as rate it properly.
Below is a table that outlines the ranks within PGA. Included in the table are data for the basic requirements for the rank as well as what each rank is allowed to do. This is basic data. What the rule book says. In a Matrix Game situation the rule book is a guide, not an authority.
Important! Keep in mind, the following data is only the baseline from which you argue to take a charter.You may argue to to fly any plane, anywhere, hauling anything. But, the success of your argument will be reduced the more you deviate from what your rank allows. See the section on Rating Your Argument for details.
Also note: Private Pilots, Commercial Pilots and Captains may argue to fly other charters using the Matrix rules. However they will NOT be promoted until they complete all the missions for their rank in either the San Francisco Bay or Seattle Areas.
| Promotion Requirement | Starting Rank | Fly all of the PPL missions in one area and pass the Navigation Exercise at the end of them. | Fly all of the CPL missions in one area and pass the Navigation Exercise at the end if them. | Fly all of the Captain missions in one area and pass the Navigation Exercise at the end of them. |
| Cargo Type | Any Non-Human | Any | Any | Any |
| Fly in IFR Conditions? | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Geographic Limits | Within the limits of an FBO. Hardened Runway only. | Any airfield within the limits of an FBO. | As Commercial Pilot, but may fly between FBO's. | Anywhere within PGA's Operating Area |
| Aircraft Allowed | Cessna 172 | Cessna 172, Piper Arrow | Cessna 172, Piper Arrow, Beech Baron | Any |
| Argue for Seaplane? | No | No | No | Yes |
| Argue for Helicopter? | No | No | No | Yes |
| VIP Flight Allowed? | No | No | No | Yes |
| Fly in Alaska Allowed? | No | No | No | Yes |
Fly in IFR Conditions?: Private Pilots may only fly in VFR (Visual Flight Rule) conditions. If the weather does not permit this, then your Charter Argument will be reduced one step. Extreme weather conditions may reduce it further. Commercial Pilots and above are assumed to hold instrument ratings and therefore can fly in any conditions their nerves and sanity allow them. Extreme weather conditions will actually justify them asking for higher rates in their Charter Arguments.
Hardened runway: Concrete or asphalt runway. No dirt, grass or gravel fields allowed.
Within the limits of an FBO: This means the Puget Sound or San Francisco Bay areas as defined by Flight Unlimited 2 or 3. You must fly within one or the other areas. No flying between them, nor flying into the Outer Terrain areas. Darby's Fishing Shack is allowed if you have a Seaplane License.
Flying between FBOs: Captains may fly between the FBOs. This is defined as flying from the Seattle Area to the San Francisco area. The starting and destination airport must be San Jose International and Boeing Field.
PGA's Operating Area: This includes the areas of Puget Sound and San Francisco Bay area, as well as the Outer terrain areas as defined by Flight Unlimited 3. Generally this is the continental USA west of Denver, Colorado.
Argue for Seaplane/Helicopter: In addition to ranks, there are two additional licenses available for PGA pilots to purchase, Seaplane and Helicopter. See their sections below for details. The table shows the base rank a pilot should be before arguing to obtain those licenses. She may argue sooner, but her argument will be reduced.
VIP Flights: A VIP flight is one of two things:
Flying a celebrity type person or group from point to point. These flights are made in aircraft laid out to service executive type passengers. This type of flight will usually have a flight attendant on board to provide in flight service and safety to the passengers.
An example might be flying a Hollywood director and his financial supporters to a vacation spot.
The other type of flight classified as VIP is one that requires the pilot to fly non-normal flight procedures from departure point to destination. Non-normal might be defined as "bending" FAA rules. Not breaking them exactly. We wouldn't do that, would we? Besides getting the job done is more important than a silly set of rules.
An example of this type might be flying a "secret agent" into an airfield at night, with all lights and radios turned off and no flight plan filed.
Fly in Alaska Allowed?: Only Senior Captains are normally allowed to fly in Alaska.
You normally argue for a Seaplane License when you are a Senior Captain. The cost of a Seaplane License is normally $50,000. Once you obtain a Seaplane License you are entitled to fly any seaplane charter without lowering your argument. Flying a seaplane on a charter without a Seaplane License reduces your Charter Argument by one step.
You normally argue for a Helicopter License when you are a Senior Captain. The cost of a Helicopter License is normally $100,000. Once you obtain a Helicopter License you are allowed to fly a helicopter on a charter without lowering your argument rating. Flying a helicopter on a charter without a Helicopter License reduces your Charter argument by two steps.
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