Delta Virtual Airlines Water Cooler - Flight Academy Update Feb 2008

Delta Virtual Airlines Water Cooler | Airline Operations | Flight Academy Update Feb 2008

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

Posted onPost created on February 02 2008 09:25 ET by Scott Clarke

We have been busy making many changes to the Flight Academy. We are updating all existing manuals, tests for the courses, a new EMB 120ER is almost finished for FS2004 and working on FSX, new format for lessons, more cross country flights, more VATSIM connected flights and training, live ATC, etc etc. Working to get the virtual private pilot course out by the end of Feb 2008. Forgot to mention, we have purchased a new hangar for the academy as the Dawg & Gator Backcourse Grill was condemned by the local health department and fire marshal last week(after the fire caused by someone storing pine needles and branches in one of the "offices") and are getting all the construction work completed ASAP for the new home airport of the Delta Virtual Flight Academy, where we will have active ATC for our lessons and training flights...Salt Lake City..more to follow

Scott Clarke (DVA2370)

DVA4193
Captain, MD-11

Joined on March 16 2007
Online Quintuple Century Club
Six Century Club

"It's Always Sunny On Top"
Grand Forks, ND USA

627 legs, 1,470.6 hours
594 legs, 1,383.7 hours online
583 legs, 1,347.5 hours ACARS
19 legs, 63.1 hours event

Posted onPost created on February 02 2008 13:57 ET by Daniel Johnson

Sweet, SLC, great idea

Daniel Johnson (DVA4193)

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 February 02 2008 20:22 ET by George Lewis

It took a while to get us to KSLC - we had to complete an 18 month survey on the hazards to the students - we wanted to make sure we could safely teach in the area without anyone getting the daylights scared out them the Green Baron, who is known to fly in the area.

After the study we concluded that the only ones really in any danger were the trees, rooftops, mountains and canyons, etc...

George Lewis (DVA2253)

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 February 03 2008 22:26 ET by Mark Salter

Will the commercial course be taking the same route?

Mark Salter

Senior Captain, CRJ-200

Posted onPost created on February 04 2008 11:38 ET by Scott Clarke

Yes Mark, all courses are being re written and brought up to the new VATSIM and FAA requirements...

Scott Clarke (DVA2370)

DVA3512
Captain, B737-800

Joined on September 04 2006

Western United States

54 legs, 146.3 hours

Posted onPost created on February 08 2008 21:48 ET by Barry Harmon

If the flight academy is going VATSIM I guess it'll be a no-go for me. I won't fly VATSIM.

Barry Harmon (DVA3512)

Posted onPost created on February 08 2008 23:47 ET by George Lewis

I'm curious - why won't you fly Vatsim?

George Lewis (DVA2253)

DVA3512
Captain, B737-800

Joined on September 04 2006

Western United States

54 legs, 146.3 hours

Posted onPost created on February 09 2008 01:39 ET by Barry Harmon

Makes my sim time (relaxation time) too much like work. Sure way to get me to burn out and start deleting programs.

Barry Harmon (DVA3512)

DVA4589
Senior Captain, B737-800

Joined on June 15 2007
Online Century Club
Triple Century Club

Romania

341 legs, 810.0 hours
181 legs, 422.7 hours online
314 legs, 754.1 hours ACARS
8 legs, 20.9 hours event

Posted onPost created on February 09 2008 07:33 ET by Marius Petrascu

Barry, did you try Vatsim? It appears as a ton to learn, but you learn easily and it's a lot of fun. As a matter of fact, I'm right now in my second flight on Vatsim. I start to like it. wink

DVA3512
Captain, B737-800

Joined on September 04 2006

Western United States

54 legs, 146.3 hours

Posted onPost created on February 09 2008 18:01 ET by Barry Harmon

Yes, I have flown VATSIM. That's why I said what I did, and why I feel the way I do. I simply do not enjoy taking a leisure time activity and turning it into a work environment. I did that for too long when I actually did "play games for work" as an in-house beta tester for THQ.

In fact, that's the same reason why I've never really bothered to try and advance past Stage II. I enjoy my flight sim too much to want to burn out on it and delete it from my system, which will be the inevitable result if I start obsessing on the near-perfection demanded by our (ridiculously overly complex IMHO) "advancement" system.

Barry Harmon (DVA3512)

Posted onPost created on February 09 2008 20:50 ET by George Lewis

Barry,
There is no DVA requirement to fly online (or even use ACARS for that matter) - you can enjoy flying the way you do now.

The Flight Academy however is much more "work" than flying on Vatsim - for anyone considering signing up for the PPL course, there is a manual that is 100+ pages, flying with an instructor live in your cockpit using real time voice. You are taught ATC from day 1 and flying on Vatsim during some lessons will only help those wishing to learn how to fly on Vatsim (or do it better than they currently can).

The Flight Academy is optional and is really only for those that want to learn and can dedicate the time and are motivated to do so.

George Lewis (DVA2253)

DVA1855
Senior Captain, B777-200
OLP

Joined on August 28 2004
50 State Club
Everett 250 Club
Kangaroo Club
Online Century Club
Quatercentenary Club
DVA Fleet Master

"Life Begins @ Vmc Life Ends @ Vne+1"
Philadelphia, PA

436 legs, 1,824.8 hours
113 legs, 445.8 hours online
297 legs, 1,208.2 hours ACARS
9 legs, 47.9 hours event

Posted onPost created on February 09 2008 22:48 ET by Andrew Rogers

What is "ATC"

LOL

j/k

Andrew Rogers (DVA1855)

Posted onPost created on February 10 2008 18:28 ET by George Lewis

You bring up a good point Andrew - there are many pilots who use Flight Sim who are nervous about communicating on the radio, or have no idea what it is all about. The nice thing about going into the Flight Academy is that there is no expectation of flying ability or ATC communications skills. The main issue for the student is to show up for the lessons and the Flight Instructor will help them out with any and all areas they need help on.

For most that go through the Flight Academy, it is a life changing experience

George Lewis (DVA2253)

DVA5408
Captain, CRJ-200

Joined on January 03 2008

South America

29 legs, 34.0 hours
17 legs, 20.2 hours online
27 legs, 31.7 hours ACARS
1 legs, 1.6 hours event

Posted onPost created on February 18 2008 15:36 ET by Fabiano Thome

Can't wait for the Flight Academy being loaded up again. And I'm also pleased that classes will be held at KSLC which is my "homebase" (although I live in Brazil ...). The place is specially beatiful during winter.

My golden rule: You never know enough.

Where do I sign in ?

Fabiano Thome

Captain, CRJ-200

DVA4890
Captain, B747-400
OLP

Joined on August 22 2007
Million Mile Club
Online Double Century Club
50 State Club
Millennium Club

"Jesus is my co-pilot"
McDonough, GA USA

1,022 legs, 3,005.6 hours
330 legs, 1,101.7 hours online
948 legs, 2,807.1 hours ACARS
59 legs, 156.7 hours event

Posted onPost created on February 21 2008 13:07 ET by Mark Fetters

i cant fly Vastim yet

Mark Fetters (DVA4890)

DVA613
Senior Captain, B727-200
OLP, VFRADV

Joined on June 17 2002
50 State Club
Events Century Club
Million Mile Club
US Coastal Club
US Mountaineer Club
Commuter Conquest
Globetrotter
Everett Millennium Club
Bi-Millennium Club
Online Twenty Century
DVA Twenty-Year Anniversary

"Beware of the Green Baron!"
Charlotte, NC USA

2,509 legs, 4,025.8 hours
2,328 legs, 3,644.8 hours online
2,142 legs, 3,186.8 hours ACARS
130 legs, 238.7 hours event
165 legs dispatched, 103.9 hours

Posted onPost created on February 22 2008 14:19 ET by David Keech

Thanks Scott, I was wondering where I left those things. Are they being boxed up with the rest of the stuff? Must be kind of brittle now, I'll have to supply you with a fresh collection. slitwrist

I know George, I asked for it.

David Keech (DVA613)

DVA4636
Captain, B737-800

Joined on June 25 2007

"The sun rises for everybody"
PR

38 legs, 79.3 hours
16 legs, 43.9 hours ACARS

Posted onPost created on February 25 2008 20:52 ET by Rick Rodriguez

I can't fly on VATSIM... Can't get FSCopilot and FSInn for FSX to work on Vista...

Rick Rodriguez (DVA4636)

DVA3931
Senior Captain, L-1011-100
OLP, COMM

Joined on January 19 2007
50 State Club
Tri-Jet Triumph
Million Mile Club
Online Quadruple Century Club
Flying Colonel
Globetrotter
Burbank 500 Club
Eurocap Club
DVA Fifteen-Year Anniversary

"De oppresso liber"
Surry, ME

1,882 legs, 3,806.7 hours
478 legs, 767.8 hours online
1,107 legs, 1,674.5 hours ACARS
55 legs, 114.8 hours event
195 legs dispatched, 134.4 hours

Posted onPost created on February 25 2008 21:14 ET by Andrew Kaufmann

Rick - send me an email - I will help you.

Andrew Kaufmann (DVA3931)

DVA5046
Captain, DC-8-61
OLP

Joined on July 17 2007
Century Club

"Gears are useful-when you use them."
Markham, ON Canada

191 legs, 466.8 hours
52 legs, 123.4 hours online
163 legs, 390.2 hours ACARS
10 legs, 38.6 hours event

Posted onPost created on February 25 2008 22:47 ET by Bryon Lee

I am on! sign me up!

Bryon Lee (DVA5046)

DVA4069
Senior Captain, B777-200
OLP

Joined on February 18 2007
Everett 250 Club
Online Quadruple Century Club
Six Century Club
DVA Ten-Year Anniversary

"War Eagle!"
Southeastern United States

681 legs, 2,227.3 hours
478 legs, 1,098.5 hours online
607 legs, 1,936.8 hours ACARS
25 legs, 59.2 hours event

Posted onPost created on February 25 2008 23:22 ET by J.T. Coston

I have to say this about the flight academy, Its pretty funny actually, on my second lesson of my ppl(real world) I started working the radio's myself because I learned so much from flight sim and flying online and most importantly the flight academy. Not boasting, but I could have easily worked them the first time up but my instructor didn't realize I knew all about the stuff until I started talking to her about it.I have to say that ATC communication is probably this biggest helper from flight sim to real thing, there are just a few extra things you do in the real world but they are very simple and just stuff you have to learn, the flight academy is a great place to learn and if you love to fly on the sim its not really work, its just learning. Sometimes when you work for stuff the pluses that come out of it are very good( like the academy and flying real world) or just stuff like that, before I started flying flight sim to real world standards(as in starting cold and dark every flight, asking for permission to push even though its at my discresion just to make the real world call, just stuff like that). I think that this is a great thing and pretty much it is what you make it, every body has their thing. If you fly for leisure thats great and if you want to learn a lot out of it and actually apply it then the academy is a great thing and I highly recommend it to anybody.

J.T. Coston (DVA4069)

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 February 25 2008 23:26 ET by Derek Bradley

agreed

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 February 26 2008 00:25 ET by Sid Dudley

I was wondering about that, J.T., when I looked at your post with pictures from your flight. I was going to ask how much the DVA Academy training helped you when you got into the lessons in RW. I certainly hope that I taught you well.

Sid Dudley

Senior Captain, DC-6

Posted onPost created on February 26 2008 01:06 ET by Scott Clarke

Well, get into the jump seat, cause we are getting real close to swinging the new Hangar doors open at KSLC, with new manuals, new lesson outlines, a new airplane, new scenery, new location, new live ATC, etc....and Thanks for the update JT and your thoughts and Derek also..... wink

DVA4503
Captain, B767-300

Joined on May 26 2007
Century Club

"If it aint broke Don't Fix It"
Buffalo, NY USA

101 legs, 343.8 hours
33 legs, 111.4 hours online
97 legs, 325.6 hours ACARS
1 legs, 4.3 hours event

Posted onPost created on February 27 2008 13:40 ET by Jack Everitt

Is there any special software we will have to have?

Jack Everitt (DVA4503)

DVA4413
Captain, B757-200

Joined on October 29 2003

Southeastern United States

60 legs, 70.9 hours
4 legs, 3.3 hours online
53 legs, 59.7 hours ACARS

Posted onPost created on February 27 2008 19:46 ET by Arnie Horn

The PPL course was the best experience I have ever had on the internet. But, let's not make it sound like a cake walk. I personally spent ALL my free time either praticing the flights and what I learned or studying the documentation. I would lock myself away for hours/days at a time. My instructor, Bill Bunn was terrific as well as my VATSIM controller, Scott Clarke and my live checkride tester, also Scott Clarke. I always felt comfortable, never hurried and received great support and encouragement from them, even after a very shaky and nervous checkride.

If just playing in FS is all you want, then the work required here is not for you. However, if you like realism, like I do, then you will never experience anything better then this live training. Do I fly better? No question about it. Maybe not the best pilot, yet, but at least I feel more like a "pilot in training", rather then a FS gamer. It is fun, educational and I can never thank the Academy volunteers enough for their time, effort and this incredible opportunity.

I will be taking the commercial in the near future when I have more time. I am really looking forward to it. My best to all.

Arnie

Arnie Horn

Captain, B757-200

Posted onPost created on February 27 2008 20:00 ET by George Lewis

I think it can be best summed up that for most who go through the Flight Academy, it is a life changing event...

George Lewis (DVA2253)

DVA3672
Senior Captain, A320
OLP
E-MAIL

Joined on October 29 2006
B757 100 Club
50 State Club
Two Million Mile Club
Bi-Millennium Club
DVA Fifteen-Year Anniversary
US Capital Club
Toulouse Millennium Club
Online Fifteen Century

"Chris, NOT in Seattle"
Northeastern United States

2,534 legs, 6,223.1 hours
1,537 legs, 3,252.2 hours online
2,243 legs, 5,407.0 hours ACARS
4 legs, 6.0 hours event
2 legs dispatched, 19.5 hours

Posted onPost created on February 28 2008 08:54 ET by Chris Frasure

Does this mean we are about to be FSX ready?
CF

DVA3280
Senior Captain, B757-200
COMM
E-MAIL

Joined on June 28 2006
Online Six Century Club
Events Double Century Club
Million Mile Club
Millennium Club
50 State Club
Safari Club
Tin Dispatcher
DVA Fifteen-Year Anniversary

"Keep Climbing!"
Coral Gables, FL

1,235 legs, 3,325.6 hours
1,200 legs, 3,254.3 hours online
1,144 legs, 3,053.6 hours ACARS
259 legs, 682.3 hours event
211 legs dispatched, 126.8 hours

Posted onPost created on February 28 2008 09:07 ET by Robby Chiste

Can't wait to see the Flight Academy return!! biggrin

Robby Chiste

Senior Captain, B757-200

Posted onPost created on February 28 2008 14:19 ET by George Lewis

The EMB-120ER is FSX ready, but the Flight Academy is not. Not sure where Scott is at on this, but my own experiences with FSX are minimal and I will not be able to teach in it, not until I get a new PC upgrade, and that isn't slated to happen for a few months at the least.

George Lewis (DVA2253)

DVA3356
Captain, B727-200

Joined on July 15 2006

Poynton, Cheshire GB

38 legs, 80.6 hours
7 legs, 19.3 hours online
27 legs, 63.1 hours ACARS
2 legs, 9.2 hours event

Posted onPost created on February 28 2008 18:51 ET by Andrew Melia

This is ALL good! I was enrolled on the PPL course about a year ago, but as I live in Europe (UK), the time difference between me and my instructor was a bit of a problem, and I had to abandon - me and my instructor yammering away downstairs at three am while she who must be obeyed is trying to sleep, does NOT constitute a happy and balanced marriage!

What we REALLY need is a European based instructor. Maybe one of our Air France Virtuel colleagues?

Andrew Melia

Captain, B727-200

Posted onPost created on February 28 2008 19:33 ET by Scott Clarke

Andrew, we have one ready to go in Europe, stand by

Scott Clarke (DVA2370)

Posted onPost created on February 28 2008 20:43 ET by Chris Frasure

Well, if there was a way for me to get my PPL, i would be more than happy to help teach in FSX.
CF

For flight simulation purposes only. Not a commercial website. In no way are we affiliated with Delta Air Lines, its affiliates, or any other airline. All logos, images, and trademarks remain the property of their respective owners. Delta Virtual Airlines is a non-profit entity engaged in providing an avenue for flight simulation enthusiasts.