Delta Virtual Airlines Water Cooler | Airline Operations |
DVA Flight Academy is officially open! |
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
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Posted onPost created on
March 31 2006 16:09 ET by George Lewis
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Ok everyone, the DVA Flight Academy is now officially open! We'll be posting a NOTAM soon as well.
The Private Pilot (PPL) course is now available and the VOR and Commercial (COMM) courses will be available soon.
To sign up, simply go to the PILOT CENTER, locate and click on the Flight Academy link. Choose the Private Pilot course and click on the ENROLL button and off you go.
We will manually enroll you - if we have too many signups at first, there may be a slight waiting period, but overall, expect to be enrolled very soon. Then you can download the 120 page Private Pilot Manual which will teach you pretty much all you need to know for basic piloting skills.
The PPL course is VFR only - IFR skills will be taught in a later course.
Please - if you do NOT have voice capability, please do so. Giving flight instruction without voice capability is really going to be difficult to do.
I hope everyone that wishes to learn as much as they can gets a chance to do just that - at the DVA Flight Academy - see you there!
ps: I would like to personally thank Luke Kolin, Terry Eshenour, Matt Creed, Michael Carter, Larry Foltran, Tim Diamond, Stephen Faison, Vince Carlo and Chris Williams for all of their hard work in helping making this a reality.
Thanks guys!

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DVA1933
Senior Captain, B727-200
Joined on September 19 2004
Triple Century Club
Monterrey, NL Mexico
357 legs, 860.4 hours
72 legs,
132.3 hours online 255 legs,
668.3 hours ACARS 1 legs,
1.9 hours event
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Posted onPost created on
March 31 2006 16:28 ET by David Eugenio Gomez
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Congrats, George! Good luck guys.

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DVA2481
Senior Captain, A320
E-MAIL
Joined on July 15 2005
Iditarod Club
DVA Fifteen-Year Anniversary
US Capital Club
50 State Club
Online Quadruple Century Club
Toulouse 250 Club
Seven Century Club
Madrid Spain
723 legs, 1,394.4 hours
461 legs,
924.5 hours online 621 legs,
1,110.2 hours ACARS
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Posted onPost created on
March 31 2006 16:46 ET by Jimmi Cranford
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Congratuations, amigo!
Viel Glück!

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DVA2570
Senior Captain, B727-200
COMM
Joined on September 10 2005
Online Double Century Club
Everett 500 Club
50 State Club
Globetrotter
Million Mile Club
Millennium Club
US Coastal Club
US Mountaineer Club
DVA Fifteen-Year Anniversary
Mesa, AZ
1,242 legs, 3,308.9 hours
296 legs,
407.9 hours online 1,173 legs,
3,173.3 hours ACARS
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Posted onPost created on
March 31 2006 18:10 ET by Jim Pray
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I feel like the first day of school. I am looking forward to it. Should be a lot of fun and a great learning experience. I signed up today!!!
See you on the flight line
Jim

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DVA2370
Senior Captain, B737-800
OLP, COMM, VFRADV
Joined on May 26 2005
Online Triple Century Club
Commuter Conquest
Six Century Club
Stage 1 Prop Triple Century Club
50 State Club
US Coastal Club
DVA Twenty-Year Anniversary
Flagler Beach, FL USA
675 legs, 726.8 hours
319 legs,
311.4 hours online 179 legs,
146.1 hours ACARS 1 legs,
1.6 hours event 0 legs dispatched, 4.0
hours
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Posted onPost created on
March 31 2006 18:43 ET by Scott Clarke
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Look like you are finally underway. Conrats to all that helped, I know it takes up a lot of time. Let us know if you need anymore help, etc.....looking forward to seeing more pilots in the sky....

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DVA2696
Senior Captain, B727-200
Joined on November 23 2005
Double Century Club
Online Double Century Club
"Chi-Towns Finest" Chicago, IL USA
245 legs, 468.1 hours
232 legs,
448.7 hours online 209 legs,
400.5 hours ACARS 21 legs,
43.0 hours event
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Posted onPost created on
March 31 2006 18:49 ET by Quinten Crossley
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yea i just signed up tryna learn as much as i can about flying

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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
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Posted onPost created on
March 31 2006 18:55 ET by George Lewis
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Some of you have had fsnet/copilot sessions with me before, so you kinda know how it works, and that you'll learn lots in a quick amount of time. We will also be holding some sessions where students are welcome to show up and ask questions via voice.

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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
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Posted onPost created on
March 31 2006 19:00 ET by George Lewis
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I would also like to mention, for those of you enrolling, that the PPL Ground School Manual will teach you everything you need to know to pass the exam with no problems. You really should take the time and read it over at least once

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DVA2666
Captain, CRJ-200
Joined on September 19 2005
Northville, MI USA
43 legs, 88.6 hours
36 legs,
73.6 hours online 29 legs,
57.3 hours ACARS
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Posted onPost created on
March 31 2006 19:54 ET by Joe Mifsud
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I signed up too! Looks amazing! Thanks alot guys!
Joe MifsudCaptain, CRJ-200
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DVA2728
Captain, MD-11
E-MAIL
Joined on December 04 2005
Triple Century Club
Online Triple Century Club
DVA Fifteen-Year Anniversary
Tri-Jet Double Centruy CLub
Million Mile Club
"Exceeding the standard." March Air Reserve Base, CA
343 legs, 2,038.9 hours
317 legs,
1,833.0 hours online 292 legs,
1,778.6 hours ACARS 6 legs,
27.9 hours event
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Posted onPost created on
March 31 2006 20:04 ET by Shane Olguin
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I hope I was first to sign up like I've been saying I would for weeks! As soon as the NOTAM dropped I signed.

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DVA2086
Senior Captain, B767-300
E-MAIL
Joined on January 12 2005
Online Double Century Club
Six Century Club
50 State Club
Sharpsburg, GA USA
643 legs, 1,866.3 hours
505 legs,
1,417.9 hours online 418 legs,
1,380.2 hours ACARS 63 legs,
196.8 hours event
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Posted onPost created on
March 31 2006 21:52 ET by Chris Williams
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You guys have no idea how much work George put into this. It's an amazing accomplishment for George and one that will benefit every pilot in this organization. Luke also did an amazing job bringing everything together on the site.
Chris WilliamsSenior Captain, B767-300
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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
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Posted onPost created on
April 01 2006 14:02 ET by George Lewis
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btw currently you need a minimum of 10 flight legs to sign up for the Academy but we are changing it to 5 flight legs. If you have less than that, you will not be able to sign up.

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DVA1662
First Officer, B757-200
Joined on May 01 2004
"Real World Flightsimmer" NY USA
59 legs, 118.9 hours
9 legs,
19.3 hours online 27 legs,
65.0 hours ACARS 4 legs,
6.7 hours event
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Posted onPost created on
April 01 2006 19:06 ET by Adam Warsama
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"I would also like to mention, for those of you enrolling, that the PPL Ground School Manual will teach you everything you need to know to pass the exam with no problems. You really should take the time and read it over at least once" -George Lewis.
Instead of having students read the ENTIRE 100+ page manual, you should divide it into chapters and have them read only that chapter as the ground schooling for their upcoming lesson, otherwise, they will get overloaded and forget (probably).
Then with time, they will get through each chapter, and then a review, and then they'll have it in their heads.
Adam WarsamaFirst Officer, B757-200
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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
April 01 2006 20:38 ET by George Lewis
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Adam,
Thanks for your suggestion. The Private Pilot (PPL) Ground School Manual covers all the basics - there is no set chapter or section to read for an upcoming lesson. Ground school is separate from Flight training but in a way, they are interconnected. It's a good idea to read the material and eventually make your way through it, and take the flight training at the same time.
The manual is arranged in the order that I feel is most helpful to the student. The things they should probably be learning first are the first portion, then we progress onwards. The exceptions are the reference materials towards the back - the cockpit layout, checklist and phonetic alphabet guide.
I know it seems like a lot to learn and may seem overwhelming to some. If someone is experiencing issues or difficulties with the information, please email me and I'll do my best to help you out.
The exam covers information covered in the manual, and rather than sign up for the course and immediately try to take the exam, it is better to let it all soak in over time, asking questions and taking flight training, where much of the information is repeated verbally.
By the time a few training flights have been conducted and the manual has been gone over at least once, your chances of passing the exam go way up!
Also, the sections have bookmarks that you can access in the adobe acrobat reader program, so you can come back to the document and pick up where you left off fairly quickly.

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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
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Posted onPost created on
April 02 2006 12:54 ET by Joe DeGregorio
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well..I just took the test and am still drinking my 1st cup of coffee and didnt read the manual...we shall see how bad off I am beforre my brain comes alive...LOL
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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
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Posted onPost created on
April 02 2006 14:05 ET by George Lewis
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Joe - what happened to LSU last night? They needed another cup of coffee too, I think! Go Gators

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DVA2634
Captain, B777-200
Joined on October 10 2005
Midwestern United States
71 legs, 233.7 hours
20 legs,
52.8 hours online 33 legs,
148.0 hours ACARS 1 legs,
1.7 hours event 95 legs, 343.5 hours total
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Posted onPost created on
April 02 2006 20:36 ET by Tom Meyer
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George, how hard do you think this would be to do without voice? I'm interested in joining, if for the very least the manuals that you are putting out. My only problem is I am VERY hard of hearing, and it makes it next to impossible for me to use voice.
Tom MeyerCaptain, B777-200
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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
April 02 2006 22:12 ET by George Lewis
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Tom,
That's a good question - I am a very fast typer - but when you're flying and I'm pointing out pitch, power and trim it might be difficult to grasp them when it's not in real time, if you know what I mean.
I am going to be doing some training videos to assist the pilots and the CFIs - I hope to do a complete series on everything and just speak like there was a student in the cockpit. You could then crank up the volumne on the speakers.
Also, with computers and headsets, you should be able to turn up the sound on the headphones and something, not sure if that would work for you...

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DVA2634
Captain, B777-200
Joined on October 10 2005
Midwestern United States
71 legs, 233.7 hours
20 legs,
52.8 hours online 33 legs,
148.0 hours ACARS 1 legs,
1.7 hours event 95 legs, 343.5 hours total
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Posted onPost created on
April 02 2006 23:14 ET by Tom Meyer
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You've got mail George.
Tom MeyerCaptain, B777-200
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DVA2945
Captain, B737-800
Joined on March 03 2006
CM Spain
70 legs, 100.7 hours
12 legs,
14.6 hours online 64 legs,
94.3 hours ACARS
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Posted onPost created on
April 03 2006 02:53 ET by Carlos Gonzalez
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Where is it located exactly? Its supposed to be at the Pilot Center but I can't find it
Carlos GonzalezCaptain, B737-800
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DVA2634
Captain, B777-200
Joined on October 10 2005
Midwestern United States
71 legs, 233.7 hours
20 legs,
52.8 hours online 33 legs,
148.0 hours ACARS 1 legs,
1.7 hours event 95 legs, 343.5 hours total
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Posted onPost created on
April 03 2006 03:00 ET by Tom Meyer
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Carlos, it's at the very bottom. You will see a section called "Flight Academy".
Tom MeyerCaptain, B777-200
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DVA2945
Captain, B737-800
Joined on March 03 2006
CM Spain
70 legs, 100.7 hours
12 legs,
14.6 hours online 64 legs,
94.3 hours ACARS
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Posted onPost created on
April 03 2006 05:03 ET by Carlos Gonzalez
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At the very bottom I have the "Testing Center" and that's it, I only have 5 flights in Stage 1, Could this be the reason?
Carlos GonzalezCaptain, B737-800
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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
April 03 2006 10:29 ET by George Lewis
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Carlos, yes, that is the reason. Currently the Flight Academy requires 10 legs to become available, but we are changing this to 5 legs soon.

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DVA2945
Captain, B737-800
Joined on March 03 2006
CM Spain
70 legs, 100.7 hours
12 legs,
14.6 hours online 64 legs,
94.3 hours ACARS
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Posted onPost created on
April 04 2006 02:14 ET by Carlos Gonzalez
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OK, then I'll wait to see what goes first (when I do the 10 legs or you change to 5 ones )
Carlos GonzalezCaptain, B737-800
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DVA2945
Captain, B737-800
Joined on March 03 2006
CM Spain
70 legs, 100.7 hours
12 legs,
14.6 hours online 64 legs,
94.3 hours ACARS
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Posted onPost created on
April 05 2006 12:10 ET by Carlos Gonzalez
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Since I don't have voice capability and I still want to learn, is there a way to sign up the academy and access to the documentation, take the exams without the flight instruction?
Carlos GonzalezCaptain, B737-800
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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
April 05 2006 12:48 ET by George Lewis
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Carlos,
You can enroll, get the documentation and take the exam, but it's going to be tough to pass the course without voice. You can get a relatively cheap headset with a microphone for not alot of money these days. Where are you located?

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DVA2945
Captain, B737-800
Joined on March 03 2006
CM Spain
70 legs, 100.7 hours
12 legs,
14.6 hours online 64 legs,
94.3 hours ACARS
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Posted onPost created on
April 05 2006 13:13 ET by Carlos Gonzalez
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OK, I already have that headset with microphone, just my lowband conection gives me a very low sound, that's why I use text when flying online. The other reason for skiping the training sessions would be that my busy schedulle is not compatible with those (I wish I could). I'm located in Spain. Just trying to find out if there is a way to get the training by studying the manuals by myself and then take the exams. Thanks.
Carlos GonzalezCaptain, B737-800
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DVA2570
Senior Captain, B727-200
COMM
Joined on September 10 2005
Online Double Century Club
Everett 500 Club
50 State Club
Globetrotter
Million Mile Club
Millennium Club
US Coastal Club
US Mountaineer Club
DVA Fifteen-Year Anniversary
Mesa, AZ
1,242 legs, 3,308.9 hours
296 legs,
407.9 hours online 1,173 legs,
3,173.3 hours ACARS
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Posted onPost created on
April 05 2006 16:00 ET by Jim Pray
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Hi George:
We flew a few weeks ago and can't wait to do it again. Where can I download the cool Fight Academy scenery that I saw.
I will let you know about getting together again.
Jim

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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
April 05 2006 18:15 ET by George Lewis
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Jim, read this message for more info on Joe DeGregorio's website and stuff - this is where the scenery is located.
http://www.deltava.org/thread.do?id=0x88A9

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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
April 05 2006 18:29 ET by George Lewis
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Carlos, you could enroll and try it and we can see where it takes us... you're not the only one with dial-up and we'll have to cross that bridge sooner or later. Give it a shot. We can even try an online session sometime and see what comes of it...
btw, we have a mentor that is based in Spain and one that is based in the Netherlands. If you feel more comfortable working with them, I can get you setup with either of them. If language is an issue, the guy in Spain (Jimmi Cranford) would be your best bet - he is fluent in both, but we've got several spanish speaking guys at DVA as well...

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DVA2945
Captain, B737-800
Joined on March 03 2006
CM Spain
70 legs, 100.7 hours
12 legs,
14.6 hours online 64 legs,
94.3 hours ACARS
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Posted onPost created on
April 06 2006 02:57 ET by Carlos Gonzalez
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Language is not a problem at all, the only problem will be the compatibiliby of schedulles, since mine is pretty busy (work, study & family),but anyway, I'll soon have some importans exams in my real life, but afterwords I´ll give a try to see how it goes. Thanks George
Carlos GonzalezCaptain, B737-800
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