Weekly Fly-In

[Ryan M.]

Who is that directed to..

[Ntr09]

Erik.

[Keith Smith]

"What problems?"

 

"Here are the problems..."

 

"I quit."

 

Wow.

[Ryan M.]

Yup, basically a summary of the topic. 

[steven winslow]

We've done fly-ins at my VA and it really is not that difficult to organize. Here are the steps we use:

 

1. Assign a fly-in leader

2. Leader chooses departure and arrival airports and plans the route

3. Leader chooses aircraft type to be flown

4. Leader chooses date and time for the fly-in

5. Leader chooses server to be used (Vatsim, PilotEdge, NetFlight, X-FlightServer, IVAO)

6. Leader advertises and promotes the fly-in on appropriate forums

7. Leader makes any adjustments to scheduling, server or aircraft to be flown as needed, based on pilot feedback in the forums

 

We have our own TeamSpeak server that we use for pilot to pilot communications regardless of the server we are flying on. DigitalThemePark has an amazing TeamSpeak server. No matter what, I recommend using TeamSpeak for air to air radio.

 

Cameron has said he is not interested in an "official" X-Pilot fly-in and I understand that. He didn't say you can't promote a fly-in here. Just go for it.

 

Plan it.

Promote it.

Fly it.

Simple and fun!

Edited January 6, 2013 by steven winslow

[Keith Smith]

*stands up and starts the slow clap*

[Jordan P.]

*then I join in and soon the whole forum is cheering and clapping*

[ryancz]

*clapping, and I shout, "Steve should be our leader!"*

[steven winslow]

*clapping, and I shout, "Steve should be our leader!"*

 

Whoa!  This thread certainly took an unexpected turn!      I don't know if I can commit to a weekly fly-in, but I'll organize one and get things going if that's what you want.  

 

First, you guys need to do some homework.  If you have not downloaded and installed the aforementioned flight servers, then do so using the links below:

 

http://www.pilotedge.net  Download the plugin and join if you want.  You can try it out with a 14 day free trial or join for as little as $4.95/month....worth every penny!

 

http://netflight.sirbryan.com/NetFlight/NetFlight.html  Download the plugin and bookmark the Live Map page

 

http://x-flightserver.net  Sign up and download the plugin

 

http://www.xsquawkbox.net  Download the plugin to fly on VATSIM.  Join VATSIM here:  http://www.vatsim.net/about-vatsim/members/joinvatsim/

 

http://us.ivao.aero Create an IVAO account and download the plugin

 

http://www.teamspeak.com/?page=downloads  Download the appropriate TeamSpeak Client for your system

 

This will make sure we all have all the options for servers and communications software.  There are pros and cons to using each of these servers, but they all work for what we want to do.  NetFlight is the quickest and easiest to use and is generally more reliable than X-FlightServer.  NetFlight is the only server that does not use CSL's to display the other aircraft online. 

 

Make sure you have a headset!  You MUST have a mic and earpones or earbuds for communication.  I cannot type and fly at the same time and real world pilots don't do it to communicate so we won't either.  You can get great, cheap headsets at Radio Shack.  Logitech makes one for under $25.  Get headsets!

 

This first fly-in will be on PilotEdge.  I want you to experience some real world ATC.  I'm sure Keith will work with us to get everyone online.  My plan is to fly VFR from a towered field to a non-towered field.  Don't worry if you don't know what you're doing with ATC communications.  I'll take care of that and you can listen in.  All you'll have to do is follow the leader.  Once we are airborne, there will be very little interaction with ATC and we can either use the radios in PilotEdge or use TeamSpeak to keep in touch with each other.  Once I come up with a flight plan and select the aircraft, I will give you more detailed instructions.  I'm planning a flight of no less than 30 minutes and no more than 2 hours.  This will be a low and slow flight, but I promise you metal heads that we will do some airliners later.  Along with the previous homework, be thinking about what you are going fly with a cruise speed of no greater than 160 kias.  

 

Future fly-ins can be on other servers if you choose not to subscribe to PilotEdge.  We'll sample them all over the next few weeks or so.  As for frequency, I think weekly is overkill.  Bi-weekly is more my speed and helps build anticipation and participation and is easier to plan for.  I'll take any requests or input you have, but ultimately, if you want me to plan these things, I'll do it.....and you WILL like it!!  

[Jordan P.]

Okay i think you should control this! CAn't wait!

Edited January 7, 2013 by Remlap

[steven winslow]

Just wanted to post an update on this and let you know I haven't forgotten about it.  I've been busy unpacking, organizing, painting, hanging signs, putting up shelves and prepping the studio for our grand opening this Friday night.  After 22 years in a downtown studio, we moved the business and our home to a new building about 8 miles out of town...on the road to Yellowstone Park.  So, if you fly into KBZN and you want to go to Yellowstone, you can't get there without driving right past my place.

 

So, next week I should have some time to put into this.  Hopefully you've all downloaded and installed the necessary plugins.  If not, you've got a couple weeks.  I'll be working on the route next week and will post an advert with the details so you can mark your calendars.