PIREPs (Pilot Reports)

A PIREP is a Pilot Report. It contains the information about the flight you flew and submitted via our ACARS software. 

View My PIREPs

What Is a PIREP?

A PIREP (Pilot Report) is your official flight record.
After completing a flight and submitting it through ACARS, your PIREP becomes a permanent log of that operation.

This page allows you to review your flight in detail.

What You’ll See on the PIREP Page

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Your PIREP page includes a full breakdown of your flight performance and operational data.

Flight Summary

At the top of the page, you’ll see:

This confirms the basic details of your flight.

Performance Overview

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The performance section provides a detailed breakdown of how your flight was evaluated.

Depending on the flight data recorded, you may see:

This gives you insight into how your flight was scored.

AutoPIREP Grade

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If AutoPIREP grading is enabled, your PIREP will display:

Flights that meet grading criteria are automatically accepted.

Flights that do not meet criteria may enter Pending Review.

Pending Status & Banked Points

If your PIREP enters pending status:

If available, you’ll see a button allowing you to use 150 banked points to accept the PIREP.

This system gives pilots flexibility while maintaining operational standards.

Flight Phases & Data Tracking

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Your PIREP includes detailed phase tracking:

This ensures realistic phase reporting and accurate performance metrics.

Status Indicators

Each PIREP will display one of the following statuses:

Status determines whether the flight counts toward hours, awards, tours, and career progression.

Why This Page Matters

Your PIREP page is more than just a record — it is your performance dashboard.

It allows you to:

Every flight contributes to your long-term record.

AutoPIREP

What Is AutoPIREP?

AutoPIREP is UVA’s automated flight evaluation system.

After you submit a PIREP, the system immediately analyzes your flight data and determines whether it:

This ensures fairness, consistency, and realism across all pilots.

What AutoPIREP Evaluates

AutoPIREP analyzes multiple performance factors from your flight data, including:

Each metric contributes to your overall score.

Scoring & Grades

Each flight receives:

The decision will be one of the following:

Accepted

Your flight met all required criteria and is automatically approved.

Pending

Your flight did not meet one or more standards and requires review.

Rejected

The flight significantly violated operational limits and was declined.

Pending Status Explained

When a flight enters Pending:

This window exists to give pilots control over their own outcome.

Banked Points & Force Accept

If your PIREP is placed into Pending status, you may see the option to:

Use 150 Banked Points to Force Accept the Flight

Banked points are earned through normal flight activity.

Using points allows you to:

This system balances realism with flexibility.

Why AutoPIREP Exists

AutoPIREP ensures:

Every pilot is evaluated using the same system logic.

How It Impacts You

AutoPIREP affects:

Flying within operational standards will almost always result in automatic acceptance.

Operational Expectations

To maintain high scores:

AutoPIREP rewards smooth, realistic flying.

Manual PIREP

What Is a Manual PIREP?

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A Manual PIREP is a flight report submitted without using smartCARS.

At UVA, manual PIREPs are not the standard method of tracking flights. They exist strictly as a backup option when technical issues prevent smartCARS from functioning properly.

When Manual PIREPs Are Allowed

Manual PIREPs may only be submitted when:

Manual PIREPs are not to be used for convenience or preference.

If smartCARS is functioning properly, it must be used for all flight tracking.

Required Proof of Flight

If you submit a Manual PIREP, you must provide verifiable proof of the flight.

Accepted proof includes:

If proof is not provided, the Manual PIREP will be rejected.

Why Proof Is Required

Manual submissions do not contain the full telemetry data that smartCARS provides.

Requiring proof ensures:

Manual PIREP Review Process

All Manual PIREPs are:

Manual PIREPs are never automatically accepted.

Important Policy Reminder

smartCARS is the official and required flight tracking system at UVA.

Manual PIREPs are a contingency option — not a primary method of logging flights.

Repeated misuse of Manual PIREPs may result in rejection or further review.

AutoPIREP Approval Criteria

How the Scoring System Works

Every PIREP submitted through smartCARS is evaluated using UVA’s AutoPIREP scoring engine.

Each flight begins with a base score.

As the system analyzes your flight data, points are:

Your final score determines:

Starting Score

Each flight begins with a base score of 100 points.

This represents a perfect operational flight.

Deductions are applied based on performance metrics recorded during the flight.

Performance Categories & Point Adjustments

1. Landing Rate (FPM)

Landing rate is one of the most significant scoring factors.

Typical evaluation tiers:

Excessively hard landings significantly reduce your score.

2. Touchdown G-Force

High G-force touchdowns result in additional deductions.

Smooth landings preserve your score.

3. Sim Rate Monitoring

AutoPIREP monitors sim rate usage.

Sim rate abuse directly impacts realism scoring.

4. Stall Detection

Each recorded stall event reduces your score.

Multiple stall detections may result in automatic Pending or Rejection status depending on severity.

5. Overspeed / Flight Envelope Violations

If the aircraft exceeds safe operational limits:

6. Phase Integrity

Your flight is analyzed across:

Unrealistic profiles (extreme climb rates, unrealistic descent rates, abnormal cruise behavior) may result in deductions.

Grade Calculation

Once all deductions are applied:

Your final numerical score is calculated.

The system then assigns:

Higher scores result in automatic acceptance.

Lower scores may trigger Pending status.

Severely low scores may result in rejection.

Decision Thresholds

While exact internal thresholds may be adjusted over time, general logic is:

Flights that enter Pending status allow the pilot to review their performance before final determination.

Points Earned

In addition to scoring, flights may award operational points.

Points earned are based on:

These points contribute to:

Pending Status & Force Acceptance

If your score places you into Pending:

This system provides flexibility while maintaining standards.

What Causes Rejection

Flights may be rejected if:

Rejection removes the flight from accepted hours.

Why We Publish This

Transparency matters.

AutoPIREP exists to ensure:

Every pilot is evaluated using the same scoring logic.