Hi my name is Ben Ippolito, I'm from the land 'Down Under'... Melbourne, Australia. Virtually I control and fly with VATPAC, and Jetstar Virtual respectively. With far too many virtual hours to actually think about! However, I've been around virtual aviation since the SATCO days, where my virtual ATC career kicked off with me being a controller in the Chicago area. (Where nearly everyone exclusively flew in those days!). Currently in my virtual life I am a Controller with VATPAC mainly concentrating my controlling to South East Australia, as that is where I'm from and familiar with. As for the piloting side, I'm a First Officer with Jetstar Virtual on the Airbus A320.

In real life I hold my Commercial Pilots License, I also have done my Air Transport Pilot License Subjects, as well as the theory for my Instrument Rating. I also hold a grade 3 Instructor Rating. Currently I have 325hrs, mainly on Piper Cherokee types. Although I have a few hours in twins also(Piper Seminole and Partenavia 68). Recently I achieved my first 100hrs command, so only a few hours to go before the airlines! ;)

Because I love everything aviation, I also work for a flight support company at Melbourne International Airport (YMML or MEL). This has me in many varied roles, from passenger services, to ramp operations to the baggage room! It definately keeps me out of trouble.... most of the time!

I hope that my contribution to the PRC will cover the differences in Australian airspace, and I hope that this project will further VATSIM's popularity world-wide!