Delta Virtual Airlines Water Cooler - QUICK Promotion Question

Delta Virtual Airlines Water Cooler | Airline Operations | QUICK Promotion Question

DVA5396
Captain, B737-800
E-MAIL

Joined on January 01 2008

"If it aint Boeing, I aint going!"
Northeastern United States

23 legs, 38.2 hours

Posted onPost created on January 14 2008 19:35 ET by Nicholas Birbilis

Hi. Im a F/O on the MD-88. On my flights, I fly IFR, Direct GPS, default FS2004 planner, default ATC, non-online. Using these parameters, is there any "hope" that I can be promoted to Captain, and then eventually to the 757 program (my dream program)? Im not familiar with using VORs, NDBs, etc...I just use Direct GPS and it works (for me).

Nicholas Birbilis

Captain, B737-800

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

Posted onPost created on January 14 2008 21:49 ET by David Eugenio Gomez

I'd say no. You have to learn VOR's and NDB's to fly the Departures and Arrivals into the different airports. I mean, you can get promoted and stuff, but the thing here is to learn more and more, and the more knowledge you gain, the more fun you can get out of this hobby. Flying direct via GPS isn't very realistic, nor is it complicated to do.

By the time you're done learning real navigation, you'll have more fun.

Try the online flying too. It's a greaat experience.

Also, I recommend you the Flight Academy available here, where the CFI's teach you to fly (for free!)

Good luck!

David Eugenio Gomez (DVA1933)

DVA5333
Captain, MD-11

Joined on December 23 2007
Century Club

Marysville, CA

152 legs, 410.7 hours
30 legs, 53.0 hours online
140 legs, 385.5 hours ACARS

Posted onPost created on January 14 2008 22:13 ET by Shannon Hughes

I dont remember how indepth FS2004 goes, but with FS X in the default flight planner it gives you the options of direct GPS, Hi-altitude airways, VOR...ect" if I select "VOR" it sets up all the VOR points automaticly... you still set your autopilot to Nav/Gps just like flying direct, except you airplane automaticly turns its self when it gets to the checkpoint and heads for the next one.
I am still learning a lot about all this navigation stuff... I hope this helps.
i am also still trying to learn the proper procedures for aproaches.... all this can seem over whelming, but just I just fly how I can and try implementing a little "new knowledge" each flight. scared

Shannon Hughes

Captain, MD-11

DVA2750
Senior Captain, B757-200

Joined on December 17 2005
Online Quadruple Century Club
Six Century Club

"Roll Tide Roll"
Montgomery, AL USA

900 legs, 1,831.7 hours
818 legs, 1,580.2 hours online
804 legs, 1,594.9 hours ACARS
20 legs, 45.5 hours event

Posted onPost created on January 14 2008 22:15 ET by Derek Bradley

Yes, you could be promoted; but like Eugenio said, it's not worth it. I've seen your other posts where you said you wanted to be a pilot, well why not start learning how to now?

Posted onPost created on January 14 2008 22:17 ET by David Eugenio Gomez

Very well put Shannon!

"all this can seem over whelming, but just I just fly how I can and try implementing a little "new knowledge" each flight."

Learn something new every other flight and implement it. Can seem like much, but it isn't, really.

Go to http://flightaware.com/statistics/ifr-route/
You can get real-world routes for the USA, there you can see the Departures, Arrivals and intersections used by each flight. Hope that helps.

David Eugenio Gomez (DVA1933)

DVA4604
Captain, B757-200

Joined on June 20 2007
Century Club
Online Century Club

"Reach for the skies"
Norwalk, CT

138 legs, 210.3 hours
122 legs, 187.8 hours online
96 legs, 130.5 hours ACARS
5 legs, 12.0 hours event

Posted onPost created on January 14 2008 22:19 ET by Scott Bonito

Hey Nick,
My gut says, sure flying the flights as is you can get promoted within your program, but when you want to take check rides you are going to have to work on using proper routes. You can look them up on flightaware or any other program which has them. When you get flight plans from there then you can save them and upload them to your GPS. However, all this considered, remember that FS is a learning experience and you should always be open to learning more about flying and your program in general. That way you are well prepared for the future (and that 757 program!). Remember, learning to fly SIDs and STARs is a must!
Flying online will help as well as most ARTCC (controller zones if you will) will require you to fly SIDs and STARs. I would try it out. I control at Boston currently (Scott Bonito) and I'd be more than willing to help you out if you needed it and traffic permitted.
Have fun over Nick. Flight sim is a great way to learn about flying in a non-pressure environment. Good luck!
-Scott

Scott Bonito (DVA4604)

DVA3787
Senior Captain, CRJ-200
OLP

Joined on December 01 2006
Double Century Club
50 State Club
Online Double Century Club

"Small planes don't make small brains"
Western Europe

277 legs, 515.9 hours
204 legs, 397.0 hours online
244 legs, 456.2 hours ACARS
39 legs, 80.6 hours event

Posted onPost created on January 15 2008 00:55 ET by Mark Salter

You will be required to fly a route in the checkrides too. You should definitely learn to fly the routes-It just isn't real without them, nor can you pass the CH. It's not that hard, just create it in your flight planner and follow what it says to do. Crossing restrictions, altitudes, etc.

I remember my first time. Trust me from experience you will have so much more fun flying if you learn this stuff.

Shannon, it's not just planes in FSX that follow the GPS. Any aircraft equipped with a FD(flight firector) will do the same.

Mark Salter

Senior Captain, CRJ-200

DVA3710
Senior Captain, DC-6
OLP, COMM

Joined on November 12 2006
B757 100 Club
50 State Club
Quatercentenary Club
Piston Prop 100 Club
DVA Fifteen-Year Anniversary

"God is my pilot. I'm just the First Officer."
Apopka, FL

432 legs, 690.6 hours
35 legs, 60.8 hours online
385 legs, 620.1 hours ACARS
6 legs, 7.7 hours event

Posted onPost created on January 15 2008 08:58 ET by Sid Dudley

There are also lesson within the FS2004 program that can teach you a little bit about navigation too.

Sid Dudley

Senior Captain, DC-6

DVA5240
Captain, L-1011-100

Joined on November 19 2007
50 State Club
Triple Century Club

Northeastern United States

393 legs, 723.0 hours
17 legs, 33.3 hours online
392 legs, 722.1 hours ACARS

Posted onPost created on January 15 2008 11:11 ET by Michael Prince

In FS2004 you can also do vor to vor, high and low altitude, and direct. I fly IFR, high altitude routes and FS2004 picks my route. When doing check rides have to do sids and stars and follow all altitude restrictions. With FS2004 you have ATC to direct you but in the check rides you are on your own, so need to learn how to fly routes. My goal is the MD11

Michael Prince

Captain, L-1011-100

Posted onPost created on January 15 2008 21:47 ET by Mark Salter

Oh ya I forgot about that! The lessons in FS2004 are a really great way to get you started.

Mark Salter

Senior Captain, CRJ-200

DVA5333
Captain, MD-11

Joined on December 23 2007
Century Club

Marysville, CA

152 legs, 410.7 hours
30 legs, 53.0 hours online
140 legs, 385.5 hours ACARS

Posted onPost created on January 16 2008 20:46 ET by Shannon Hughes

I chatted with someone on ACARS, and he said there are some "video tutorials" (sp?) on Utube! just search "SID/STAR" under videos... he explains a lot... and its a whole series.

Shannon Hughes

Captain, MD-11

Posted onPost created on January 16 2008 22:17 ET by Scott Bonito

Yes those videos are great! Shannon, use the FS tutorials to help get you started on controlling the craft, maybe study those videos, and when you get to a checkride, make sure to really prepare, maybe even write down notes.
Good luck!

Scott Bonito (DVA4604)

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