AeroTexas Fall Survey

The AeroTexas Fall Survey was e-mailed to members a few days ago and so far we've had a good response, however we haven't heard from everyone - please take a few minutes and complete the short survey - your responses will help guide the future of our airline. Have a safe and happy holiday.

AeroTexas Visits Greece

Each month AeroTexas brings members international flights with local connections to those far-flung points of interest. Last month you'll remember it was the United Kingdom. This month our international dispatcher is Partner Ben Holzer, who introduces us to Greece with trans-atlantic flights from Austin to Athens, Greece. Members with local and regional ratings can also participate as Ben has included flights to popular vacation destinations across the beautiful Grecian Isles.

Newsletter

This month AeroTexas is delighted to present to you our very first newsletter. In this inaugural issue we introduce our newest members, report on operations, details about our TeamSpeak server, and the revised ranking system. Visit the website to download the PDF version of our first newsletter.

August Update

Active Pilots: 13
Total Flights: 154
Total Hours: 218
Total Miles: 65,205 NM
On Time Performance: 94.2%
Total Passengers: 8,963
Average Rating: 81
Total Cargo: 36,490 lbs
Net Revenue: $1,876,826

International Service Returns

AeroTexas re-introduces international flights with the first of a series of international flights with regional connecting segments. We start this new series with non-stop flights from our new headquarters at Austin, Texas to London's Gatwick airport, with connections to Manchester, Spain, and northern France. Each month ATX INTL plans to bring you new international destinations and plenty of adventurous flights for turboprops, regional and large jets. Members are reminded that the INTL authorization is required for international flights where designated (currently this applies only to the Austin-Gatwick route); international service flights not so designated are considered open to all pilots.

July Update

Active Pilots : 16
Total Flights : 176 (Cargo 38)
Total Hours : 253.5
Total Miles : 70645 NM
On Time Performance: 90.3%
Total Passengers : 8687
Average Rating : 80
Total Cargo : 66700 lbs
Net Revenue : $2342716

June Update

Active Pilots: 15
Total Flights: 161 (Cargo 27)
Total Hours: 176.9
Total Miles: 44,386 NM
On Time Performance: 96.3% (EXCELLENT)
Total Passengers: 7437
Average Rating: 82
Total Cargo: 32,820 lbs
Net Revenue: $921,619

Server Update

AeroTexas moved to a new server at Dreamhosting! The past several years have been difficult as we made many attempts to work under the changing guidelines of our previous host, 24hostingnow. Feeling once-bitten and twice-shy, it was important that we made the right decision before moving the entire website - so we carefully selected a host with which we could grow - and what we found was DreamHosting.com - which also happens to be carbon neutral. This means that AeroTexas is also carbon-neutral, so most likely you're looking at the first eco-friendly virtual airline! There's still a bit of work to be done, and it may take a few more days before some features of the website are entirely operational, but the long term benefits certainly should outweigh the short-term inconvenience, we hope so! Thanks for your patience - we're making a new transition and anticipate many new and exciting changes at AeroTexas.

Server News

AeroTexas is moving to a new server by DreamHost. Over the next several days some features of the website may not be available, and the web site may even appear to be offline. After we have made the transition you will be able to log your flights again.

Stampedes and Networks

The First Annual Lone Star Stampede, sponsored by ZFW ARTCC and American Airlines Virtual, will be held this Saturday, May 12, 2007 from 2:PM - 5:PM CDT (1900Z-2200Z). With our new slate of Lone Star flights in and between the two centers, AeroTexas members are encouraged to jump online, and show the ZFW and ZHU controllers that we can be stampede too. Be ready for rapid-fire clearances, crossing restrictions, and holding patterns.

AeroTexas Interflight service has been renamed, Network Flight Service, and has been expanded with a few new segments in Oakland and Jacksonville airspace.

Server Update

We're back online. The message board will return this Summer.

Server Problems

We are still having server problems and are waiting for resolution of the problem. Until then, please save your flight reports. When the server is once again 100% operational, you may send your flight reports directly to me and I will log them for you. Flight reporting data is saved in VLOG.TXT in the ATAVS directory.

New Aircraft

AeroTexas has just released two new aircraft: (1) Tommie's new Convair 580 for TTA - this is a superb rendition of the CV580 used by TTA in the early days on those point-to-point flights across Texas. It comes with a complete installer that has a panel, sounds, and all you need to fly this rumbling monster across suburbia and beyond; and (2) a personal favorite of mine, the Bombardier CRJ-200ER that I created for AeroTexas with a new panel, 3 different passenger textures, and one cargo texture. This aircraft also comes with a revised checklist and a flight operations reference created for members of AeroTexas.

CRJ Planner

CRJPlanner is Windows-based trip planner that calculates fuel requirements, weights, and takeoff and landing speeds. This new software is included in the CRJ-200ER installation package, and it has also been released on flightsim.com and here.

TeamSpeak

Fellow ATXan, Lenard F. (ATX46) has helped us move into the world of group communication with a dedicated TeamSpeak server. This will enable us all to chat while flying, whether on VATSIM, or not. Or even if you're not flying you can meet up with other ATX members to discuss all matters aviation. You will need to be a registeed user to gain full access - contact Lenard on the message board for more information.

Route Expansion

Many new routes have been added to Lone Star Service, including a saddlebag full of local flights into Mexico. Local flights into Mexico originate at Austin, Corpus Christi, and El Paso. REgional service has also been expanded and includes some good Mexico Service routings as well. Look for some changes to international service in the future, where we'll focus on long-hal routes to then interior of Mexico, Central and South America. Have any suggestions for international desinations? Post your ideas to the AeroTexas message board (contact Richard S. for access details).

Cowboy Breakfast

On April 21st, TexAirVirtual is promoting a Texas-based fly-in on VATSIM. There's sure to be a few "Texas" callsigns on the server that day from 6:AM - 10:AM CDT (1100Z-1500Z). TexAirVirtual is a new airline with which we are happy to collaborate on events like this. Just remember to use your AeroTexas callsign on the network to show your ATX spirit.

March 2007 Results

This month AeroTexas flew 240 flights over 48,044 NM pilots logged 238.7 hours. On-time performance was 93.4%. Flights in March were up 81% over the previous year, and 23% higher than last month. Net revenue was $1.13 million. The new Route Exploration program created opportunities for our most dedicated pilots and resulted in 33 explorer flights, nearly one in seven of all flights this month. This month's top pilot was ATX47, who completed 56 passenger flights and 20 cargo flights and posted a perfect on-time record. His average passenger rating was 83.9% - congratulations! ATX71 also did well, posting 51 flights with an average passenger rating of 81.7%.

Fleet Development

AeroTexas has just received a new CRJ-200 with three different passenger service
paint schemes, and one painted for cargo service. The aircraft is a POSKY version
and will come with a panel created by and for AeroTexas, as well as a custom
sound configuration. Also included is a flight operations reference (complete with
normal procedures), and V Speeds. Our Fleet Manager, Tommie W. (ATX02), is working on packaging and distribution and hopes to have it available to members soon. Stay tuned for this exciting
development.

Route Exploration

AeroTexas now allows all members to explore and report potential new routes. Members who have logged 10 or more flights in the current month will automatically receive a status upgrade to
participate in Route Exploration. This upgrade is good until the end of each month, and
offers dedicated members the opportunity to fly favorite segments and routes that are not
established at AeroTexas. This is your chance to tell us where you want AeroTexas to establish
its next fixed schedule service, or international offering. Route explorations will be considered charter flights, and may be added to the permanent schedule in the future.

Spring Adventure Series

AeroTexas announces the 2007 Spring Adventure Series, and welcomes all members to participate in the discussion in the new forum. This series will feature 15 flights in Texas, each of which will be described with route and fuel planning, alternates, and any other useful information - check the AeroTexas message board for more details.

Syndicated Feeds

RSS is used to publish frequently updated digital content, such as blogs, news feeds or podcasts. Users can use feed readers to subscribe to AeroTexas HQ Notams, and several new feeds, including the latest cargo flight, squawks, and The Daily Flight.

ATAVS Update 5.1.0.59

A new update was released today. This is for version 5.1 - release 59. Members should download and install the latest update before their next flight. This update is available in the Members Only area. Updates should be unzipped into the same directory/folder where ATAVS was installed (usually C:\ATAVS).

Mountain Madness

AeroTexas will participate in the Mountain Madness Flyin, a VATSIM-sanctioned event in the Vancouver FIR with opportunities to win prizes. It is an all day event taking place on Saturday, February 10, at 1800 - 2300 UTC, and will be sponsored by many of the companies that produce add-ons. In the next few days I will release a list of airports in the Vancouver that are approved for AeroTexas pilots (so you get to compete for the prizes and log some time for the roster as well), including suggestions for making the most points in the event. All AeroTexas pilots will be eligible to participate.

ATAVS Update

A new patch, with updated configuration and aircraft files is now available in the Members Only area. This patch fixes the 6000-foot issue, and incorporates an improved passenger scoring algorithim (90-100% scores are now possible!)

Server Update

The AeroTexas website may be down for several hours on Saturday morning from 3:AM to 7:AM EST.

New National Charters

AeroTexas offers a selection of routes between more than 500 airports throughout the continental USA every day. These flights represent contingency charters flown for other carriers through temporary codeshares, as well as charter flights for our valuable clients. National service routes are now updated daily.

FuelJabber - the AeroTexas Fuel Planner

AeroTexas is proud to announce a new online flight planning tool: FuelJabber is a simple online form that will calculate on board fuel requirements, including alternate reserves, and extra fuel for anticipated holding, and other contingencies. Simply select your aircraft, origin, and destination, and FuelJabber will do the rest.

ATAVS 5 Released

A new major version of ATAVS has just been released. ATAVS 5 features a completely new interface, with more inutuitive options and controls, and remastered sounds. This version also supports the new position reporting system, and make flight reporting even easier. Members should download and install ATAVS 5 before their next flight. (note: flight reports made with the old versions of ATAVS will not be accepted by AeroTexas after January 25th).

Position Reporting System Returns

AeroTexas has resumed position reporting and flight tracking. This service is part of ATAVS 5, which will be released to members by the end of the week. Preview the new flight tracking system on the AeroTexas website.

Happy New Year 2007

AeroTexas begins the year with a new set of national flights, and will soon release the latest revision of ATAVS; a major version release re-written from the ground-up. Stay tuned.