Shuttles:

Shuttles require a minimum of 2 members, and all crew must be IFT members.

Shuttles can be created by new, independent members or by a chapter CO with willing members.

• New, independent members can approach a chapter they would like to be a shuttle off of, and request that status aboard a particular starship. Or, try to become a chapter, as outlined below.

• Chapter COs can create shuttles off their ships anywhere within their 30-mile radius with willing members. A CO can also create a shuttle with members outside their chapter boundary if these members live outside of it. However, any shuttles attached to a chapter will be 'departments' of that chapter, and not commissioned separately.

For those of you 18 or older, you have two choices:

1. You can create a shuttle with the intention of becoming a chapter. These shuttles are not attached to a full chapter and are commissioned on their own. There is a 6-month probation period where the shuttle must work towards recruiting enough members to become a chapter. If you are trying but having difficulties in becoming a chapter after 6 months, IFT will extend this period for as long as needed.
• These shuttles are also expected to turn in monthly reports to IFT HQ, and their GEO, and to hold a minimum of 6 meetings per year. You must also make sure you are not within the 30-mile radius of another ship, unless you have permission. In other words, the shuttle will be treated like a chapter in every aspect (look on our Build a Ship page for more info), except that you need not adopt a charity until such time you can be commissioned as a full chapter.
• Please take a realistic look at your recruitment possibilities for the required 3 other members (besides yourself and another member needed for shuttle status), before trying to create a chapter from a shuttle. If you can't build your chapter even after extensions from IFT HQ, you then have the option of becoming a shuttle attached to an existing chapter, near or far. You would become a 'department' of this ship, most probably under your shuttle name, and would no longer be considered a separately commissioned shuttle/starship-in-training.
• But you have the option at any time to leave this chapter at a later date if you find that you are able to recruit the members necessary afterwards. The other option is simply decommissioning and becoming members aboard the T'HY'LA, IFT's online fleet flagship which takes those members who have no other nearby chapters to join.

2. You can create a shuttle with no intention of becoming a chapter. These shuttles must be attached to a full chapter and will not be commissioned on their own. You would be a 'department' of this ship, probably under your shuttle name. You can remain a shuttle in this respect indefinitely, even with 5 or more members. You are only required to do what your chapter CO requires of you in regards to reporting, meeting, etc.
• These shuttles can be anywhere inside or outside the 30-mile radius of the chapter they are attached to.
• You have the option of trying to become a chapter at a later date, but you will need to make sure to follow the guidelines of creating one as outlined on our Build a Ship page. For example, and as stated above, shuttles that wish to become chapters need to respect the 30-mile boundaries of existing chapters.

For those of you under 18, you have a single choice:

1. You can create a shuttle attached to an existing chapter. If you are under 16, it will be considered a cadet shuttle until such time you become 16, when you can drop the "cadet" appendix. However, you have the choice of remaining a cadet shuttle if you wish. Other than that, the above description of a shuttle attached to a chapter would be your guideline as well.
• Once you turn 18, you have the choice of becoming a full chapter, but make sure to follow the guidelines listed on our Build a Ship page. Look at the above description for a shuttle with the intention of becoming a chapter for more information.