General Rules

The European Air force is a group of WW2 online flying simulation enthusiasts. We believe that this is a game. We also believe that part of the pleasure within the game is a full immersion in role playing and historical accuracy.

All EAF squadrons must obey these rules and use them as their own. All squadrons are free to add their own rules and policy as long as they do not conflict with the rules of the European Air force.

1. The European Air Force is part of the IL-2 Sturmovik and Forgotten Battles flying simulation community, flying online on the HyperLobby server.
2. To join the EAF, you must be at least 16 years old. For Time zone and lag reasons, the European Air Force only accepts players from Europe. Exceptions can be certainly considered, by the approval of the EAF HQ.
3. We consider the EAF membership as an "exclusive" membership. Therefore EAF members are not allowed to be part of another virtual squadron playing the same online flying simulator. Members who like to play other simulation games, not supported by the EAF, are obviously allowed to join other virtual squadrons and communities too, informing their Commanding Officers.
4. All EAF members should be "active" pilots. Flying at least once per week on average is suggested. Of course we understand there may be some exceptions: some people work in shifts, or may have work and/or family duties. In that case things can be arranged.
5. The common EAF language is English. EAF Squadrons are formed by people from one country or people speaking the same or similar language. To enable players from other countries to join squadrons, any EAF squadron shall adopt these players if they want to join. All pilots will be identified by a nickname and their squadron number. Squadrons have to be identified by adding the squadron number to the call sign of the pilots (e.g. EAF331_Mikke is pilot Mikke belonging to the 331 Norwegian (Scandinavian) squadron).
6. We respect the members’ privacy. At least the e-mail of each member should be known to the C.O. of his squadron. But beside that the wishes of the member in question should be respected. Members e-mail, MSN Messenger, or ICQ address will be not be published or distributed to other without prior permission. IP addresses will be also never disclosed or published.
7. Within the EAF we use military ranks. Those are part of the simulation and the role-playing, and are useful to the virtual community life organization. This hierarchy has nothing to share with real life, and should not be considered as a limitation of the personal freedom. Nevertheless, within the simulation and the community life, ranks authority and chain of command should be respected by all EAF members. This is a military unit, not a democracy.
8. We want to improve our ability as virtual pilots, and make this possible also for all other members of the EAF. We fixed training nights as an opportunity to fly together with all others EAF members. Every pilot should at least join one training night per week. All EAF members must give another member tips and comments to improve combat and flying skills, when he sees possible improvement in the other member. By doing this we can get all pilots to an equal level. You shall always try learning to fly good and with the highest difficulty settings: train with other members and read the tactics page to help you get better. When you spot opponents weakness, exploit it if you can, but be kind enough to tell him about it later (especially fellow squadron or wing members).
9. We believe in gentlemen behaviour, correctness and respect for people, both in virtual and in real life. You shall keep correct behaviour and sport approach in all the games. You shall never use offensive language, either in the game as in public or restricted forums. Neither will there be references to Nazi's. Terms that are 'in the spirit of things' are allowed, as well as historically correct markings on planes. You shall never open fire on a member of another EAF member, or against any other pilot flying on the same game side, unless previously authorized by him/her. You shall not deliberately pick on any particular person for a prolonged amount of time.
10. During coop missions and dogfight, you shall not fire on a damaged pilot attempting to land, unless previously agreed at the beginning of the game. Gear down with an heavily damaged plane is considered as a sign of surrender, and you shall respect it. This rule does not apply for VEF and other online tournament, where the specific tournament rules are applied.
11. You shall respect all rules of any online war or tournament in which you are engaged. You will not influence your kill score or someone else (e.g. firing on a plane which is already fatally damaged). Your behaviour reflects the sense of honour of the whole European Air Force. Be proud of it.
12. Using cheats hacks etc. is not allowed. Anyone suspected from such actions will be judged by a martial court, and expelled from the EAF, lifetime.
13. Do not pass EAF tactics, radio frequencies and forum password to others.
14. Check in at your squadron HQ at regular interval. Read the messages in the Officers Club at least once a week. They contain useful information for you!
15. Using Microsoft/MSN Messenger (MSN) and Team Speak (TS) is promoted. MSN Messenger is free and helps you to contact other players, while they are not at the same game server as you. Team Speak enables you to talk to others while flying, this way you can cooperate more easily. if you need help installing any of these, ask about it in Technical/FAQ forum.
16. All those who want to leave the EAF can do it in any moment, by communicating their decision to their Squadron Leader
    If you plan to stop flying on-line for a while, let us know. If you are on holiday for a month then tell us you want LEAVE. If you don't feel like flying any more tell us to you want to RETIRE. This way you can rejoin again when you feel like it. If we don't hear from you and don't see you for 2 weeks you get the status MIA (Missing In Action), after a month POW (Prisoner Of War) and after a longer time KIA (Killed In Action). When you have the status K.I.A. you are banned from the EAF and are not able to rejoin the EAF anymore. When you come back from M.I.A. or P.O.W. it is very likely that you loose your rank, especially when you have a leading rank.
17. Trainees can only fly War Missions after passing Stage 4 of OTU (formation flying) and approval of his Sqn Ldr. Ask your T/O or S/L if you are unsure what this means.

Responsabilities

Group Captain

• The structure of the Air Force
• Changes to rules and the way "we" do things
• Top level decision maker
• Delegate necessary tasks out to the other members of the EAF

Wing Commanders

• Execute orders from Group captain, and follow up on them
• Motivation and Morale of the Wing.
• Leading by example (If you want the wing to do a specific thing you have to do so yourself even to a greater extent)
• Come up with ideas for improvement or change to the EAF leadership (2 x WC + Group Captain).
• Operationally responsible for the Wing
• Devise tactics

Squadron Leaders

• Keeping track of personell status in the squadrons. Who does well, who is never there, who gets kicked out and so on
• Leading by example
• Make sure the orders from WC's and GC is followed according to its intentions
• Responsible for recruitment into the EAF.

Training Officers

• Responsible for training. the EAF personell.
• Setting up practice sessions according to the tactics, and intentions of the WingCommanders
• Reporting directly to the Wing Commanders (takes orders from them)
• Evaluating the progress and dedication of trainees and deciding when they are ready to be accepted

X/O

• Helping his S/L to keep track of personell and with other S/L duties
• Acts instead of S/L when he is away