Delta Virtual Airlines Water Cooler - Aviation Français Virtuel

Delta Virtual Airlines Water Cooler | Airline Operations | Aviation Français Virtuel

DVA043
Senior Captain, MD-11
OLP

Joined on June 10 2001
Event Half Century Club
Online Double Century Club
50 State Club
DVA Twenty-Year Anniversary
Everett 1500 Club
Bi-Millennium Club
Four Million Mile Club

"Col. Panic"
Marietta, GA

2,347 legs, 9,466.0 hours
240 legs, 553.9 hours online
2,005 legs, 8,259.1 hours ACARS
75 legs, 196.3 hours event
2,383 legs, 9,600.9 hours total
91 legs dispatched, 66.4 hours

Posted onPost created on August 21 2004 11:13 ET by Luke Kolin

As some of you are aware, I have been somewhat busy since stepping down from my previous role heading up Delta Virtual. One of my original goals and interests since joining DVA in June of 2001 has been to create a virtual airline counterpart to Delta Virtual, based on our SkyTeam partner Air France. Delta's relationship with Air France was one of the reasons I was attracted to Delta in the first place - Air France offers a complementary route structure with excellent European and African coverage, as well as a fleet with very little overlap.

Therefore, I am extremely pleased to announce the imminent launch of Aviation Français Virtuel - a virtual airline that will operate as Delta Virtual's European partner. You can find our web site at http://www.afva.net/

When Terry Eshenour and I first discussed the logistics of the DVA/AFV relationship, one of our overriding goals was to enhance the community we have here at Delta Virtual. AFV is designed to attract a different set of virtual aviation enthusiasts than DVA, but we hope to bring those folks together in certain areas. To meet this goal, DVA and AFV will be sharing the Water Cooler and our Online Events database. Pilots will be able to mingle together socially and fly together in our events.

In keeping with the complementary mandate, AFV will be basing itself on different equipment programs than DVA. We intend to have an ERJ program in Stage 1, an A320 program in Stage 2, A330, 340 and 747 programs in Stage 4 and of course the Concorde in Stage 5. As you may notice, there isn't anything in Stage 3 because of the nature of the Air France fleet. We will have an overlapping 727 program for the history buffs, but provisions are made within the promotions policy to progress from Stage 2 directly to Stage 4.

One other difference you'll notice at AFV is a promotions policy that pays somewhat more attention to recreational flyers. We have introduced the rank of Second Officer to allow people to move between stages using a combination of flight legs and hours instead of examinations and check rides. Please keep in mind that the Second Officer ranking has some significant limitations - most prominently a prohibition on flying codeshare flights and a commitment from me not to hire staff members from that group. It's an option, but we're not going out of our way to make it the preferred one.

I mention this feature because it illustrates something I hope we might do a bit more of in the future, namely use Aviation Français Virtuel as a crucible for testing out new ideas and concepts that if successful, might percolate back to DVA. I have every expectation that the reverse will also be true; Terry and his crew might come up with new ideas at DVA that will make their way "across the pond" to AFV.

I have been working with a group of dedicated pilots over the past few weeks and months to make AFV a reality. I believe we're at the point where opening up Aviation Français Virtuel to new pilots is possible, but before we do that I'd like to extend an opportunity to a select group of DVA members to consider joining AFV as a founding member.

I am afraid that there are no benefits to such a status, only the ability to join a virtual airline with a half-baked web site, incomplete fleet and manuals, and a management team in a state of flux. Probably the only neat thing you'll get is an AFV pilot code with at least one (or maybe two!) zeroes in it. However, if you're a Delta Virtual Airlines pilot with a love for Airbus aircraft or European routes, I'd encourage you to consider flying with AFV. If your primary goal is North American aviation or Delta, please stay with DVA. Our entire goal is to allow you to pick the airline that predominantly matches your flying goals - you'll still keep the Cooler fun and the same great community you've helped build.

I will therefore be taking applications from pilots interested in becoming founding members of AFV. We also have a number of staff positions that are expected to open over the next few weeks leading our equipment programs. If you are interested in applying for one of these positions, I am interested in hearing from you. As part of your application, please put together approximately a dozen questions and answers that could be used for a pilots' examination in the AFV Testing Center for your preferred aircraft program. I am currently looking for people to head up our ERJ, 727 and A330/340 programs.

AFV is going to be an exciting new complement to the DVA family, extending our coverage to Europe and the Airbus family of aircraft. I look forward to working and flying with you soon.

Cheers!

Luke Kolin

Senior Captain, MD-11

DVA1767
Captain, B727-200

Joined on July 02 2004
Century Club
Online Century Club

Midwestern United States

107 legs, 156.8 hours
104 legs, 153.2 hours online
6 legs, 12.1 hours event
501 legs, 763.5 hours total

Posted onPost created on August 21 2004 14:20 ET by Michael Carter

Luke I'd sign on if I could find a reliable and EASY source for European-wide STAR's and SID's.

I have several sites bookmarked recommended from my old UK airline, but none are user friendly and none have all the charts required for my former routes.

Michael Carter (DVA1767)

DVA1633
Senior Captain, L-1011-100

Joined on April 17 2004
Century Club

Den Haag, Zuid-Holland NL

163 legs, 437.6 hours
2 legs, 11.5 hours online

Posted onPost created on August 21 2004 14:47 ET by Sander Jordans

Luke, why not having an A300 program as stage 3? It's in size right between the A330/340 and the A320

Sander Jordans (DVA1633)

DVA1099
Senior Captain, L-1011-100

Joined on February 20 2003
Double Century Club

South America

277 legs, 1,092.6 hours
50 legs, 126.5 hours online
1 legs, 2.0 hours event
354 legs, 1,417.3 hours total

Posted onPost created on August 21 2004 14:59 ET by Ariel Griotti

yep, and probably the 767 too in S3..

Ariel Griotti (DVA1099)

Posted onPost created on August 21 2004 18:18 ET by Luke Kolin

Stage 3 has been a challenge for me ever since I got a view of Air France's fleet distribution. Essentially, they go direct from the A320/321 into the 330/340. I was thinking for a while that I might move the 330 into Stage 3, but my own experiences flying the aircraft on trans-Atlantic legs this spring told me that it was certainly a Stage 4 craft in its behavior.

One of the goals we have with AFV and DVA is to try and keep our equipment types complementary. I don't think it's an advantage to duplicate an existing DVA equipment program which is why we're not going to have a 767 or 777 program and I'm still unsure if I want to keep the 727. We're very lucky that we can have good separation with the ERJ, 320, 330/340 and 747. That way we cover more equipment types and provide assistance to pilots in the other airline.

I think it's going to be a great addition for *DVA* when AFV gets functioning ERJ and 747 programs, because that means that Chautauqua fliers and classic 747-100 pilots will have a resource. I know that AFV pilots with an interest in the CRJ, 767 and 777 already have a resource to turn to. Maybe some of you will be interested in taking out an NWA 320; well, our A320 Chief Pilot will be a great resource to turn to.

I should probably put together an AFV A300 installer plus panel. We have some really fun historical aircraft assembled over the years - a Comet, Caravelle, 707 and Constellation!

Cheers!

Luke Kolin

Senior Captain, MD-11

DVA497
Senior Captain, A330-300

Joined on June 02 2002
Online Century Club
50 State Club
Globetrotter
DVA Twenty-Year Anniversary
Black Pearl Club
Millennium Club
Million Mile Club
Toulouse 250 Club

Hong Kong Island Hong Kong

1,206 legs, 3,000.7 hours
171 legs, 325.8 hours online
585 legs, 1,498.3 hours ACARS
7 legs, 13.5 hours event

Posted onPost created on August 21 2004 18:48 ET by Pablo Fraga

Hehe look who is AFV001!!

Pablo Fraga

Senior Captain, A330-300

Posted onPost created on August 21 2004 18:53 ET by Michael Carter

I used to fly the A320 along side the 734 for my old UK airline. I didn't care for it much myself.

I'm used to a much busier airplane. Just to sit and look at two MFD's don't do much for me. I like lots of guages, lights, buttons, and switches that I have to do something with or to. I guess I'm just old.

Michael Carter (DVA1767)

DVA1146
Senior Captain, B757-200
OLP
E-MAIL

Joined on March 21 2003
Double Century Club

Western United States

264 legs, 789.5 hours
7 legs, 13.4 hours online
5 legs, 10.3 hours event
2,350 legs, 6,067.2 hours total

Posted onPost created on August 21 2004 21:44 ET by Kerem Yogurtcugil

I would like to fly some European Route's? How can I apply?

Kerem Yogurtcugil (DVA1146)

DVA851
Senior Captain, B777-200

Joined on September 22 2002
Online Quadruple Century Club
Million Mile Club
Flying Colonel
50 State Club
Globetrotter

Imlay City, MI USA

1,758 legs, 3,929.8 hours
487 legs, 1,005.8 hours online
1,314 legs, 2,966.8 hours ACARS

Posted onPost created on August 21 2004 22:32 ET by Brian Kolbuch

Sure is a nice site.

Im a huge fan of Airbus aircraft... And im very familiar with Airbus panels ( All of DVA's fleets are flown with PSS Airbus Panel ( Some aircraft the PSS A320 panel, some the A330 ) for me... just because i like that panel so much, its fast, efficient, and easy... Only aircraft i dont use the PSS Airbus panels for is the PMDG 737's, other than that... every other aircraft i do, lol, and i've been doing that for about 1 to 1.5 years.

I'd like to fly those european routes too... I used to fly for British Airways Virtual ( Was a Senior-Captain on the A319/320/321 if i remember correctly )... However, i quit after they developed the that ACARS where i had to hit pos-rep like every 10 minutes or my pirep wouldent be counted ( This was a huge pain for me especially when i flew long flights after coming home from school...couldent even sit and eat dinner for more than 10 minutes ).

Is there any way i could get AFR851?

If not...well, where can i sign up?

You can expect me to be flying the A330 and A340... and the Boeing 747-400 once in a while, if i signup of course... And while within europe, probably only Air France's A320's, A319's, oh, and of course, my little baby A318 wink

I really like this integration though... Really brings two worlds apart--together.

Brian Kolbuch (DVA851)

Posted onPost created on August 21 2004 22:42 ET by Michael Carter

Do you know of a source for on-line Euorpean SID's and STAR's?

I flew for AirWeGo out of Manchester, with other bases out of Bristol, London City, and one other I can't remember but never found many charts for other UK aerodromes or mainland airports.

Michael Carter (DVA1767)

Posted onPost created on August 21 2004 22:54 ET by Brian Kolbuch

Hmm nope i have no idea of any European Charts... I never even used any charts when i flew for BAV, you really dont need them ( Well, sometimes when flying in/out of EGLL, you might need them when theres heavy traffic around and major ATC services ).

Other than that... Just tell them you have no charts, and they'll either will tell you where to go for your particular destination... or... they just will guide you in without any charts. Sometimes they dont even ask... they'll just say " Cross BIG at and maintain 12000, then THEDR at and maintain 8000, then LUCAS at and maintain 5000, then vectors for the final approach "... something like that... I've never had any problems getting in/out of there without charts.

Not really that necessary like it is here in the USA wink

I went on VATSIM Europe's website... went under Pilots, and Charts... and it said Page = Under Construction.

So if VATSIM even has problems finding them...im quite sure others are too.

Brian Kolbuch (DVA851)

Posted onPost created on August 21 2004 23:03 ET by Brian Kolbuch

" I am currently looking for people to head up our ERJ, 727 and A330/340 programs. "

Hmm i wouldent mind to help ( if there is any help that you need )... maybe not really " head " any departments though... for the A320/A330 programs, i love those planes, especially the A320 Series ( A318,319,320 ), and A330-200.

Im pretty excited already... cant wait to start flying under an AFR callsign, A330-200, PSS, KJFK-LFPG, etc.etc...hehe.

Brian Kolbuch (DVA851)

DVA1140
First Officer, B757-200

Joined on March 16 2003
Double Century Club

Western Europe

254 legs, 1,137.4 hours
10 legs, 24.5 hours online
324 legs, 1,393.2 hours total

Posted onPost created on August 22 2004 01:36 ET by Daniel Counahan

i'd love to help out, if there is a chief pilot for any plane there that doesn't have a chief pilot i'll have that, my only thing is that i don't really like the erjs so if there is any airbuses that need a chief pilot i'll happily do the job.
Cheers
Dan C

Daniel Counahan (DVA1140)

DVA1633
Senior Captain, L-1011-100

Joined on April 17 2004
Century Club

Den Haag, Zuid-Holland NL

163 legs, 437.6 hours
2 legs, 11.5 hours online

Posted onPost created on August 22 2004 04:25 ET by Sander Jordans

BTW: will this include KLM aircraft?

Sander Jordans (DVA1633)

Posted onPost created on August 22 2004 08:19 ET by Luke Kolin

Thanks everyone for your interest and kind words. If you are interested in joining AFV as a founding member, shoot me an e-mail. I right now have 2 confirmed members, and one probable so space is closing quickly!

If you are interested in working with one of the aircraft programs or joining our staff, I have a need for information and a good way for me to determine your level of dedication and interest. I need to put together the aircraft-specific portions of our Testing Center. Please put together approximately 30-40 aircraft-specific questions along the lines of what we have in the DVA Testing Center for your aircraft of choice. Your choices are: ERJ, 318/319/320/321, 330, 340, 747. (Please note that at least two programs are spoken for at present, so no guarantees folks).

Regarding KLM, right now my goal is to do Air France. However, because of shared ownership, I anticipate KLM becoming available reasonably soon once we have Air France working properly. It's going to involve some additions to the Fleet Library, but that shouldn't be an overwhelming task. I will probably need to sit down with Terry at some point and decide what codeshares we wish to support at each airline.

Cheers!

Luke Kolin

Senior Captain, MD-11

DVA1140
First Officer, B757-200

Joined on March 16 2003
Double Century Club

Western Europe

254 legs, 1,137.4 hours
10 legs, 24.5 hours online
324 legs, 1,393.2 hours total

Posted onPost created on August 22 2004 09:38 ET by Daniel Counahan

i have sent you an email luke i hope you got it.
Cheers
Dan C

Daniel Counahan (DVA1140)

DVA1650
Captain, L-1011-100

Joined on April 24 2004
Century Club

"The O-N-L-Y Way to Fly!"
Southeastern United States

103 legs, 174.7 hours
49 legs, 94.5 hours online
2 legs, 2.1 hours ACARS
2 legs, 3.2 hours event

Posted onPost created on August 22 2004 10:22 ET by Daniel Malneritch

I noticed a long time ago that our logins work with both. In fact some of my cooler posts (including this one!) are actually from AFV! I'm interested....

Daniel Malneritch

Captain, L-1011-100

Posted onPost created on August 22 2004 10:30 ET by Daniel Malneritch

Luke, I'm interested. I tried emailing you, but it didn't go through. Don't know why. what positions are still open?

Daniel Malneritch

Captain, L-1011-100

Posted onPost created on August 22 2004 10:39 ET by Michael Carter

I sent you one too Luke. Please let me know something at your convenience.

Michael Carter (DVA1767)

Posted onPost created on August 22 2004 18:12 ET by Pablo Fraga

I get my european charts from the respective vatsim>europe>country>charts division.

Pablo Fraga

Senior Captain, A330-300

DVA1778
Senior Captain, MD-88

Joined on July 06 2004
Online Century Club
Triple Century Club

"Fly Douglas Jets!"
Milwaukee, WI USA

358 legs, 1,172.8 hours
153 legs, 345.4 hours online
107 legs, 334.7 hours ACARS
18 legs, 35.0 hours event

Posted onPost created on September 02 2004 16:56 ET by Ali Ghasemz

Hi,
Sign me up for AFV!

Ali Ghasemz

Senior Captain, MD-88

DVA2772
First Officer, B767-300

Joined on December 27 2005

Southeastern United States

50 legs, 130.7 hours
6 legs, 12.9 hours online
20 legs, 78.8 hours ACARS
1 legs, 1.0 hours event

Posted onPost created on June 04 2006 18:43 ET by Michael Filyaw

I am having email problems sending things, but I want to fly for DVA and AFV. Luke, please sign me up to AFV.

Thanks for your time
DVA 2772

Michael Filyaw (DVA2772)

DVA2482
Chief Pilot, B777-200

Joined on July 16 2005
Online Double Century Club
50 State Club
Flying Colonel
Globetrotter
Everett Millennium Club
Six Million Mile Club
DVA Twenty-Year Anniversary

"Master of Gravity"
Boston, MA USA

1,909 legs, 11,955.3 hours
228 legs, 1,400.0 hours online
1,752 legs, 11,085.1 hours ACARS
7 legs, 57.1 hours event

Posted onPost created on June 04 2006 19:05 ET by Oliver McRae

You can't fly for both DVA and AFV, its either one or the other.
Note the post is almost 2 years old.

Oliver McRae (DVA2482)

Posted onPost created on June 04 2006 19:09 ET by Michael Filyaw

Thanks for letting me know. I did not notice that this was 2 years old.

Michael DVA 2772

Michael Filyaw (DVA2772)

DVA2253
Senior Captain, DC-8-61
COMM

Joined on April 01 2005
Everett 250 Club
Online Century Club
Eight Century Club
DVA Ten-Year Anniversary

"I'd rather be flying!"
Church Hill, TN USA

862 legs, 1,344.5 hours
108 legs, 165.2 hours online
299 legs, 485.1 hours ACARS

Posted onPost created on June 04 2006 21:16 ET by George Lewis

Michael, you can fly AFV flights at DVA, and you can fly some Delta flights at Air France if you decided to leave DVA and join AFV, but AFV is mainly European based Air France flights.

George Lewis (DVA2253)

Posted onPost created on June 04 2006 21:19 ET by Michael Filyaw

So I can fly the list of airlines where I go to file a flight?

Michael Filyaw (DVA2772)

Posted onPost created on June 04 2006 21:22 ET by Luke Kolin

Yes, you can.

Cheers!

Luke Kolin

Senior Captain, MD-11

Posted onPost created on June 04 2006 21:34 ET by Michael Filyaw

Thank you everyone for all of his or her help.
You guys are the best!!!

Michael Filyaw (DVA2772)

DVA544
Senior Captain, B727-200

Joined on October 24 2001
Online Century Club
Triple Century Club

Southeastern United States

329 legs, 661.4 hours
186 legs, 368.2 hours online
47 legs, 90.0 hours ACARS
7 legs, 22.1 hours event

Posted onPost created on June 05 2006 01:48 ET by Joe DeGregorio

wonder what an Air France MD-88 would look like?...lol

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