Delta Virtual Airlines Water Cooler | Airline Operations |
I have a suggestion on pilot ratings. |
DVA6626
Captain, MD-11
Joined on November 07 2008
Six Century Club
Million Mile Club
""PROFILE CLIMB"" Las Vegas, NV
753 legs, 2,288.9 hours
28 legs,
55.2 hours online 747 legs,
2,255.7 hours ACARS
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Posted onPost created on
January 27 2009 12:53 ET by Michael Pare
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Say you want to fly the MD-11 in the delta system, you could just take certifacation tests that relate to that aircraft instead if having to qualify on lesser aircraft in the food chain, it would be like a type rating that you could choose, instead of haveing to be a 767 captain first, why not just qualify for the MD-11. I agree the pilot should be compitent in operating his aircraft of choice, but why waste time on aircraft ratings of aircraft you don't want to fly?, just a thought.
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DVA1651
Senior Captain, MD-11
Joined on April 25 2004
Everett 250 Club
50 State Club
Globetrotter
DVA Ten-Year Anniversary
Million Mile Club
Eight Century Club
Online Quadruple Century Club
White Pearl Accomplishment
"DAL1651 heavy is type MD-11, ready for blastoff" Nashville, TN
879 legs, 3,275.4 hours
436 legs,
1,621.5 hours online 626 legs,
2,413.4 hours ACARS 28 legs,
89.5 hours event
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Posted onPost created on
January 27 2009 12:57 ET by James Marshall
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You have to move up in RW, regardless whether it's what you want to fly or not.
James MarshallSenior Captain, MD-11
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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
2,241 legs, 8,967.3 hours
240 legs,
553.9 hours online 1,899 legs,
7,760.4 hours ACARS 75 legs,
196.3 hours event 2,277 legs, 9,102.2 hours total 91 legs dispatched, 66.4
hours
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Posted onPost created on
January 27 2009 12:57 ET by Luke Kolin
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Another possibility, which would be more realistic, is to limit the size of each program and allow people in based on seniority.
The promotion system is structured in such a way to introduce pilots to progressively more challenging aircraft once they have demonstrated skill and competence in lower stage programs. It's somewhat akin to seniority, but has the advantage that you are not limited by numbers around you, and can progress as fast as your skills dictate.
Cheers!
Luke KolinSenior Captain, MD-11
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DVA6626
Captain, MD-11
Joined on November 07 2008
Six Century Club
Million Mile Club
""PROFILE CLIMB"" Las Vegas, NV
753 legs, 2,288.9 hours
28 legs,
55.2 hours online 747 legs,
2,255.7 hours ACARS
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Posted onPost created on
January 27 2009 13:05 ET by Michael Pare
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I think it is just as realistic that you want to fly the MD-11, well you need a type rating. I have seen many pilots that pay for a 757/767 type rating and have gotten hired after getting that type rating, so a program where you can qualify for that aircraft could be just as realistic, you could also base it on VATSIM hours in that aircraft. If a pilot has 200 hours in that aircraft than he obviouslys qualify to fly it.
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DVA3952
Captain, MD-88
Joined on September 07 2006
DVA Five-Year Anniversary
"Airbus, Mcdonnell Douglas" Chicago, IL USA
85 legs, 161.3 hours
51 legs,
106.0 hours online 77 legs,
141.3 hours ACARS
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Posted onPost created on
January 27 2009 13:36 ET by Alex Jevdic
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I do like the idea. For me to get to the MD-11, I'm gonna have to trudge through the 757, 767, or the 727 program and I'm not really excited about that.
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DVA6626
Captain, MD-11
Joined on November 07 2008
Six Century Club
Million Mile Club
""PROFILE CLIMB"" Las Vegas, NV
753 legs, 2,288.9 hours
28 legs,
55.2 hours online 747 legs,
2,255.7 hours ACARS
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Posted onPost created on
January 27 2009 13:57 ET by Michael Pare
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Perhaps the powers that be could consider this program and tweak it as needed, what do you think?
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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
January 27 2009 14:01 ET by David Eugenio Gomez
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This VA, contrary to the rest of them out there, encourages our pilots to grow better as they fly and learn new skills through new and more demanding programs, hence the 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 Stages.
Making it easier would take the essence of DVA away, IMO.
Nothing holds you from flying the aircraft in the simulator as much as you want...
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DVA6626
Captain, MD-11
Joined on November 07 2008
Six Century Club
Million Mile Club
""PROFILE CLIMB"" Las Vegas, NV
753 legs, 2,288.9 hours
28 legs,
55.2 hours online 747 legs,
2,255.7 hours ACARS
|
Posted onPost created on
January 27 2009 14:30 ET by Michael Pare
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If you still have to qualify for the aircraft, it is still realistic, the test should reflect more on aircraft systems and operation, then you could have a check ride on a route to demonstrate you can effectivly operate the aircraft. I just saying if you have at least 500 VATSIM hours and can operate the aircraft, then you should be able to just test for that aircraft.
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DVA3266
Captain, L-1011-100
Joined on June 23 2006
Century Club
"Stupid Hurts!" Newport News, VA USA
103 legs, 161.4 hours
62 legs,
102.2 hours online 90 legs,
143.4 hours ACARS 1 legs,
1.3 hours event
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Posted onPost created on
January 27 2009 16:07 ET by Steven Jones
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I'm not sure how using VATSIM hours to qualify someone on an airframe. Just because someone has 500 hours on VATSIM flying an MD-11 does not prove that they can fly it as it should be flown. How many of the landings were in the -800 ft/min. range? Most people on VATSIM fly with crash detection off. Sadly, a lot of pilots on VATSIM have no clue as to what they are doing to begin with. That is why you see them disappear when ATC comes on-line.
If any changes were made, I lean towards Luke's idea.
Steven JonesCaptain, L-1011-100
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DVA2724
Senior Captain, L-1011-100
Joined on December 04 2005
Million Mile Club
Seven Century Club
"Long Live the TRISTAR!!" Concord, GA USA
714 legs, 3,467.6 hours
43 legs,
80.2 hours online 466 legs,
2,709.6 hours ACARS 5 legs dispatched, 26.7
hours
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Posted onPost created on
January 27 2009 16:21 ET by Ken Nesbitt
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I like Luke's idea. At my airline we have what is called a "permanent bid". This is where we have all of our bases listed and you number them from 1-however many and based on openeings and seniority is whether or not you get it. So lets say we limit the 777 to 50 members at a time. if one leaves then the system adds the most senior person with that as their number 1 choice. just a thought. Cheers
Ken NesbittSenior Captain, L-1011-100
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DVA6267
Captain, B767-300
OLP
Joined on August 07 2008
Century Club
Online Century Club
DVA Ten-Year Anniversary
B737 50 Club
Duluth, MN
189 legs, 294.7 hours
158 legs,
243.5 hours online 177 legs,
276.3 hours ACARS 32 legs,
59.7 hours event
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Posted onPost created on
January 27 2009 17:04 ET by Benjamin Fonville
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I hope that Luke's response was a little more tongue-in-cheek than literal (and I believe it was). Just one of the great aspects of this VA is that you can fly anything you want to almost anywhere (if you take the time to do the legs). If you want to move up, then fly the legs.
Say I want to move up from the 767 where I am now. There's no reason I can't fly the CVG-DAY route (64 miles) 10 times in the 767. The emphasis is on the planning of the flight and execution of takeoff, cruise, descent, and landing. Length doesn't matter. That's a whole lot easier than other airlines where you need to spend 100+ hours in type before you can earn your next rating, AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, you learn more this way. Also, this doesn't limit a Joe Schmo like me who works too many hours from advancing just because I don't have the time to commit like other members.
EDIT - Looking at this now, I think it's more of a response to Luke's post, rather than the OP. I hope I won't take the thread too far off topic. I think the realism aspect of working your way up through the ranks, whether it takes 2 months or a year is important.
Just my .02 I'm glad to be here.
Benjamin FonvilleCaptain, B767-300
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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
2,241 legs, 8,967.3 hours
240 legs,
553.9 hours online 1,899 legs,
7,760.4 hours ACARS 75 legs,
196.3 hours event 2,277 legs, 9,102.2 hours total 91 legs dispatched, 66.4
hours
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Posted onPost created on
January 27 2009 17:19 ET by Luke Kolin
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Before anyone gets too anxious, yes, that was a tongue in cheek response.
Cheers!
Luke KolinSenior Captain, MD-11
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DVA2496
Senior Captain, B757-200
OLP
Joined on July 13 2005
B757 100 Club
50 State Club
Iron Dispatcher
Black Pearl Club
Everett Millennium Club
Globetrotter
Flying Colonel
Online Fifteen Century
DVA Fifteen-Year Anniversary
Two Million Mile Club
Event Half Century Club
"Delta Connect - Antigua to world" Cassada Gardens, Saint John Antigua and Barbuda
1,845 legs, 5,840.2 hours
1,749 legs,
5,579.2 hours online 1,705 legs,
5,425.0 hours ACARS 52 legs,
118.7 hours event 641 legs dispatched, 253.3
hours
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Posted onPost created on
January 27 2009 17:20 ET by Perez Howson
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I must agree with Luke and Ken, David and Benjamin...
This VA has taken time out to think about its members... We are committed to each other in that if we need help the CPs And ACPs are avail to us. If you want to move up, there are processes that you have to go through to DEMONSTRATE that you are ABLE to handle the type rating in question. As Benjamin stated, the same 10 flights you have to do to move to the leftside of the plane helps you in learning more about that a/c.
We don't pattern ( i dont think) ourselves like other airlines simple because we strive for realism. Most VAs do not have an ACARS system and if they do, they do not have half the things Luke has taken the time and energy to incoperate into it..
This is the best VA IMHO and no matter the other VAs that i fly for American and USAir, I WOULD NEVER leave Delta for them.
Hope this cements or gives a bit more insight..
PIH
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DVA6167
Senior Captain, B737-800
Joined on July 19 2008
Online Century Club
50 State Club
Everett 500 Club
Tin Dispatcher
Millennium Club
Two Million Mile Club
DVA Fifteen-Year Anniversary
Madison, WI USA
1,182 legs, 4,649.7 hours
163 legs,
522.6 hours online 1,169 legs,
4,579.1 hours ACARS 2 legs,
4.0 hours event 1,225 legs, 4,810.0 hours total 343 legs dispatched, 224.0
hours
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Posted onPost created on
February 08 2009 16:43 ET by Bryan Klawiter
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I have to agree with the majority here. I have been at other VA's that have had an emphasis on senority and hours flown on vatsim. If you want a realistic experience all you have to do is spend some time with acars. It is pretty hard to cheat it.
When I flew for other VA's that competed by hours, I found myself searching for the longest flights just so I could get my hours up. Kind of pointless when you think about it. Delta was my first VA ever and I always come back to it. It is something real special.
Bryan KlawiterSenior Captain, B737-800
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DVA5151
Captain, B777-200
Joined on October 29 2007
B757 100 Club
Online Triple Century Club
50 State Club
Everett 500 Club
Six Century Club
DVA Fifteen-Year Anniversary
"Fly Delta Jets!" Columbia, SC USA
688 legs, 2,401.2 hours
352 legs,
1,024.5 hours online 684 legs,
2,394.0 hours ACARS 8 legs,
18.0 hours event
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Posted onPost created on
February 08 2009 17:26 ET by Chuck Dreier
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I'm not sure, but I think the current system is part of what make Delta Virtual the best virtual airline out there. If a guy comes in, doesn't have the knowledge or aptitute to fly the CRJ, he shouldn't be allowed to simply take the tests and checkrides on a higher-stage aircraft. I guess it's "just paying your dues". Some like it and understand, other's don't. Just my thought.
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DVA5544
Captain, A320
Joined on February 07 2008
"I'm at a 15° chin-up attitude." Spiez, Bern Schweiz
34 legs, 58.3 hours
24 legs,
34.9 hours ACARS
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Posted onPost created on
February 08 2009 18:55 ET by Alexander Kolb
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I'm in agreement that we operate a wonderful system as it is. Sure, I'd love to fly in the 767 programme, but it wouldn't be that fun for me if I just said 'I have 500 hours in this aircraft at blank-blank VA. Gimme that rating!'.
This brings me back to a story of a young boy in poor country. He had a teacher who inspired him to follow his dreams, even though he came from a penniless family. The boy wished to give the teacher a gift to show his gratitude, but he had no money to buy one. So this young boy walked for 3 days to a sandy beach, and took a handful of sand. Then he walked 3 days back to his village, and presented the sand to his teacher. His teacher was puzzled, and asked "Why did you go so far to bring this back to me?". The boy replied "The journey is part of the gift.".
It is the journey of learning that makes DVA the greatest Virtual Airline out there.
Alexander KolbCaptain, A320
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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
February 09 2009 11:53 ET by George Lewis
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The way things work, Michael, is that we based an aircraft on a complexity level - Stage 1, 2, 3 and 4. Everybody has to do it the same way, even me...
My route to the DC-8 (Stage 4), program wise, was B738 (Stage 2), B727 (Stage 3), DC-8 (Stage 4) and I enjoyed flying each of them...
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DVA3952
Captain, MD-88
Joined on September 07 2006
DVA Five-Year Anniversary
"Airbus, Mcdonnell Douglas" Chicago, IL USA
85 legs, 161.3 hours
51 legs,
106.0 hours online 77 legs,
141.3 hours ACARS
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Posted onPost created on
February 09 2009 13:30 ET by Alex Jevdic
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The one thing I wish is that there are more systems/aircraft related question for the aircraft in question. Sometimes I find myself completely familiar with the plane, but the questions mainly asked are about flying techniques or procedures I do not utilize. Like sectional charts. There could be a question like what is the normal range for the engine oil pressure for the PW engines in the MD-11 etc, etc.
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DVA6626
Captain, MD-11
Joined on November 07 2008
Six Century Club
Million Mile Club
""PROFILE CLIMB"" Las Vegas, NV
753 legs, 2,288.9 hours
28 legs,
55.2 hours online 747 legs,
2,255.7 hours ACARS
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Posted onPost created on
February 09 2009 15:14 ET by Michael Pare
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I agree it should be more like that, heck take questions out of the PMDG hand book, and make a study guide that you can refer to before the test. I agree the goal is to learn an aircraft and be proficient at flying it.
I just think the test should be more revelent to what you want to fly. I think you could still make it just as challangeing, like what should the PSI read on the Hydraulic system, things like that.
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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
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Posted onPost created on
February 09 2009 15:16 ET by Marius Petrascu
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When I took the MD-11 FO/Captain exam, very few questions were related to the aircraft itself. Most of the questions were about procedures in general. Same with most, if not all other programs. So I agree with Alex, the exams should be much more aircraft related. The flying techniques and procedures are part of the Check Ride.
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DVA6626
Captain, MD-11
Joined on November 07 2008
Six Century Club
Million Mile Club
""PROFILE CLIMB"" Las Vegas, NV
753 legs, 2,288.9 hours
28 legs,
55.2 hours online 747 legs,
2,255.7 hours ACARS
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Posted onPost created on
February 09 2009 16:19 ET by Michael Pare
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You could cover emergency procedures and normal procdures just like in real life.
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DVA5112
Captain, MD-11
Joined on October 19 2007
Million Mile Club
50 State Club
Eight Century Club
Online Six Century Club
Charlottetown, PE Canada
864 legs, 3,446.1 hours
606 legs,
2,219.1 hours online 834 legs,
3,323.4 hours ACARS 3 legs,
6.8 hours event
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Posted onPost created on
February 09 2009 18:26 ET by Glen Swan
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Something to keep in mind though is not everyone here at DVA likes it as real as it gets,i am sure some pilots just like to jump in a plane of their choice and go flying for a couple of hours aweek,with making promotions harder to achive for these pilots,one would believe there could be more pilots leaving to fly on their own,i guess the staff here will take all this into consideration if they make changes.
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DVA6626
Captain, MD-11
Joined on November 07 2008
Six Century Club
Million Mile Club
""PROFILE CLIMB"" Las Vegas, NV
753 legs, 2,288.9 hours
28 legs,
55.2 hours online 747 legs,
2,255.7 hours ACARS
|
Posted onPost created on
February 09 2009 19:24 ET by Michael Pare
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Good point, with that said the test is hard enough already, may a bit too hard in some respects. I think if a pilot really knows his aircraft of choice and can demonstrate it, than you can fly. The problem is some of us are not interment rated pilots and don't want to be and the test is more like an instrument rating test than being that revelent to what you fly.
I think if you want to fly the MD-11 or what ever, take a certification test for that aircraft would be a better route, like a type rating.
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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
February 09 2009 19:46 ET by Jim Pray
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When I started at DVA I was placed in the CRJ, from there 737, 757 and finally to 777. I then went to the Mighty 727 and lately have been trying my hand with the DC 8 and others. My point is that going through the stages has made me a better pilot by learning techniques that better prepare me for the situations that come up, weather etc. Not saying that everyone wants that kind of experience and that is why you do not have to get into any other aircraft. If you goal is to go from CRJ to MD-11 the path, while challenging can be accomplished. When I started I had no real world experience so if I can do it anyone can.
Just my two cents.
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DVA6267
Captain, B767-300
OLP
Joined on August 07 2008
Century Club
Online Century Club
DVA Ten-Year Anniversary
B737 50 Club
Duluth, MN
189 legs, 294.7 hours
158 legs,
243.5 hours online 177 legs,
276.3 hours ACARS 32 legs,
59.7 hours event
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Posted onPost created on
February 09 2009 20:50 ET by Benjamin Fonville
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Just a brief response to Michael:
I can understand your intentions. There's no reason anyone can't go out an fly the MD-11 or the DC-10 or any other aircraft for which they have a model. I occasionally fly aircraft I'm not rated for, but I don't file pireps for those flights. We are simulating a real airline here. Delta doesn't use VFR flightplans for its flights. The FMC may be doing the work for you/me/us just as in real life, so it takes some of the mental work out of the IFR flying skills. However, if the electronics fail in real life, the pilots revert to "old school" radio IFR navigation techniques. That's what this airline simulates, even if your simulator is set to never fail (as is mine).
Benjamin FonvilleCaptain, B767-300
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DVA6626
Captain, MD-11
Joined on November 07 2008
Six Century Club
Million Mile Club
""PROFILE CLIMB"" Las Vegas, NV
753 legs, 2,288.9 hours
28 legs,
55.2 hours online 747 legs,
2,255.7 hours ACARS
|
Posted onPost created on
February 10 2009 13:09 ET by Michael Pare
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If I pass a challenging certification test that is more aircraft focused than I should be able to fly that aircraft in the DVA system, or maybe a choice of tests, like MD-11 first officer, then the brutal MD-11 Captain and senor Captain tests could be more brutal.
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DVA3952
Captain, MD-88
Joined on September 07 2006
DVA Five-Year Anniversary
"Airbus, Mcdonnell Douglas" Chicago, IL USA
85 legs, 161.3 hours
51 legs,
106.0 hours online 77 legs,
141.3 hours ACARS
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Posted onPost created on
February 10 2009 13:24 ET by Alex Jevdic
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I brought up the systems/aircraft questions because I often see people with great flying skills in general but the aircraft isn't operated correctly, or sometimes in a unsafe matter.
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DVA6626
Captain, MD-11
Joined on November 07 2008
Six Century Club
Million Mile Club
""PROFILE CLIMB"" Las Vegas, NV
753 legs, 2,288.9 hours
28 legs,
55.2 hours online 747 legs,
2,255.7 hours ACARS
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Posted onPost created on
February 10 2009 14:58 ET by Michael Pare
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It can be small operational errors that can cause big problems as well, caused by not following procedures because you get in a hurry. I think over all you can have a choice of 2 tests, one for the default MD-11 and one for the PMDG that is harder, but once you pass it you are an MD-11 first officer.
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DVA6267
Captain, B767-300
OLP
Joined on August 07 2008
Century Club
Online Century Club
DVA Ten-Year Anniversary
B737 50 Club
Duluth, MN
189 legs, 294.7 hours
158 legs,
243.5 hours online 177 legs,
276.3 hours ACARS 32 legs,
59.7 hours event
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Posted onPost created on
February 10 2009 16:46 ET by Benjamin Fonville
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I don't know about different tests for fleet vs. PMDG or Level-D aircraft. In some respects, the fleet aircraft are "easier" to jump into and fly, but at the same time, the PMDG or Level-D aircraft are "easier" in that the FMC manages navigation for you (tuning VORS, headings, altitude, etc...). Like several posters have said, people here want to do different things. Some want to learn systems and others just want to fly.
The key is that this VA simulates the real Delta Air Lines, including how its pilots must progress from smaller to heavier iron. Regardless of any systems knowledge, each pilot that Delta hires is already an IFR/Commercial/(ATP??) pilot and probably required to demonstrate basic IFR maneuvers during the interview process. We are simulating that here.
There's no reason we can't go fly any plane on VATSIM or offline under the Delta callsign. It's simply a matter of being able to log the flights, and "thems the rules". I think I saw a post a long time ago, maybe by Luke, himself (if not, sorry). Something to the effect of "When Delta does it, we'll do it."
My .02 (more like .04 probably)
Benjamin FonvilleCaptain, B767-300
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DVA3266
Captain, L-1011-100
Joined on June 23 2006
Century Club
"Stupid Hurts!" Newport News, VA USA
103 legs, 161.4 hours
62 legs,
102.2 hours online 90 legs,
143.4 hours ACARS 1 legs,
1.3 hours event
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Posted onPost created on
February 10 2009 17:07 ET by Steven Jones
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I do not have first hand experience in real world airline operations, so I will pose this question as well as what I see as a plausible answer. Do the real world airlines allow pilots to start off as a first officer in a MD-11 or 747 or whatever without starting off in the smaller aircraft and progressively working their way up? I doubt it very much.
From my limited understanding of pilot licensing and aircraft/airline operations, the typical pilot candidate starts off with ground school then progresses to some form of single engine aircraft and eventually their private pilots license. After a period of time, they attend more schooling and they obtain their commercial pilots license. More time and schooling goes by and they progress to multi-engine aircraft. More time and schooling and they progress to airline transport pilot license. From there, more time and schooling and they progress to the heavy iron. Someone with first hand experience in this area, please correct me if I am mistaken in this.
DVA strives to mimic the real world Delta Airlines. I feel that the way DVA handles the pilot promotion system here is a logical sequence of events, and probably more realistic than the way that most VA's do it. This is what sets DVA apart from most other VA's in my opinion, and combine that with everyone's willingness to help each other is what makes us not only one of if not the largest VA, but also the best VA in existence.
My $0.02 which is worth even less in today's economy.
Steven JonesCaptain, L-1011-100
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DVA6267
Captain, B767-300
OLP
Joined on August 07 2008
Century Club
Online Century Club
DVA Ten-Year Anniversary
B737 50 Club
Duluth, MN
189 legs, 294.7 hours
158 legs,
243.5 hours online 177 legs,
276.3 hours ACARS 32 legs,
59.7 hours event
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Posted onPost created on
February 10 2009 17:51 ET by Benjamin Fonville
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Steven:
I agree that this IS the best VA to join with all its resources (people as well as software) and program structure.
Real world airlines do typically hire new pilots into their smaller programs. Of course, some airlines only fly a couple type of aircraft (Air Tran - 717, 737; Southwest - 737; etc...), so initial hires may fly turbine aircraft sooner than pilots for other airlines which also fly and partner smaller regional airlines with turboprops (US Airways w/ the DHC-800, etc...). It's my understanding that most pilots are more concerned with pay scale. A a senior DHC-800 pilot is probably making significantly more per flight hour than the fresh 737 FO, but who knows?
Looks like it takes my $0.04 to equal what used to the be the $0.02
Have a good one!
Benjamin FonvilleCaptain, B767-300
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DVA1583
Senior Captain, MD-11
OLP
Joined on March 23 2004
Everett 250 Club
Online Six Century Club
50 State Club
DVA Fifteen-Year Anniversary
Seven Century Club
South America
710 legs, 1,938.2 hours
619 legs,
1,760.2 hours online 589 legs,
1,630.3 hours ACARS 16 legs,
61.2 hours event
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Posted onPost created on
February 10 2009 18:48 ET by Charly Azcue
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IMHO I don't see what stop you to fly the MD11 ... you only have to pass the 767 Captain exam and the MD11 exam will be available to you ... came on, instead of thinking how to change the pilots rankings you only need to take 1 open book written exam and the MD11 transfer option will be available to you .. you already filed 24 flights in the "intermediate" aircraft.... time to move up only if you really wants to
Regards
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DVA6626
Captain, MD-11
Joined on November 07 2008
Six Century Club
Million Mile Club
""PROFILE CLIMB"" Las Vegas, NV
753 legs, 2,288.9 hours
28 legs,
55.2 hours online 747 legs,
2,255.7 hours ACARS
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Posted onPost created on
February 10 2009 19:17 ET by Michael Pare
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I guess I get incredibly frustrated having failed the test as I should be able to pass it.
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DVA1583
Senior Captain, MD-11
OLP
Joined on March 23 2004
Everett 250 Club
Online Six Century Club
50 State Club
DVA Fifteen-Year Anniversary
Seven Century Club
South America
710 legs, 1,938.2 hours
619 legs,
1,760.2 hours online 589 legs,
1,630.3 hours ACARS 16 legs,
61.2 hours event
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Posted onPost created on
February 10 2009 19:33 ET by Charly Azcue
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No one is perfect and DVA is not asking for perfection. You don't have to feel bad for failing the Captain exam.
Download the DVA 767 Manual and read it at least 1 time.. download the flight encyclopedia, read it at least 1 time .. go and take the exam, you can read the documents while taking the exam, some questions requiere you to think about it not only "search for the answer in the PDF".. like for example fuel calculations .. you have all the necessary material to pass the exam, and if you have any doubts you can also go to your "Help Desk" and file your question/s
See you soon in the MD11 program.
Regards
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DVA6626
Captain, MD-11
Joined on November 07 2008
Six Century Club
Million Mile Club
""PROFILE CLIMB"" Las Vegas, NV
753 legs, 2,288.9 hours
28 legs,
55.2 hours online 747 legs,
2,255.7 hours ACARS
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Posted onPost created on
February 10 2009 19:55 ET by Michael Pare
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Thanks for the encouraging words as you have no idea how frustrated over this as I love DVA and my MD-11. The MD-11 is my all time favorite aircraft every since I worked on them at Douglas.
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