FuelJabber Updated

Our fuel planning solution has been updated to support the Fokker 70 regional jet as designed by Project FOKKER Jetline.

AeroTexas Expands All-Weather Cargo Operations - Partners with FourFlights

AeroTexas Aviation has expanded operations with a new cargo service. Through an exclusive partnership with Fourflights.com, we have expanded cargo operations with flight assignments to Part 139 airports with prevailing IFR conditions. It is suggested that pilots who fly these routes have experience with low IFR (< 500 feet ceiling and/or < 1 SM visibility), and preferably a CAT II/III certification. Flight assignments are updated hourly and posted to the AeroTexas website.

ATAVS Update

A new version of ATAVS was released today: Version 7.2 Release 22. This release contains updates that have been under way since last February, including:

Reduced verbosity in logging.

Updated equipment list to support future air taxi service.

Full support for the new website, including landing performance, user name authentication, and arrival weather flight conditions.

Added sound signal for crash/slew detection.

Added display of aircraft type in statusbar on Refresh or Start.

Updated equipment file.

Updated stationref file.

All members should download this new version before your next flight.

Houson LIVE! Event Recap

The Houston Live! event was well staffed in the Houston terminal area, and there were two Center controllers online too. I only managed one flight - from Monterrey to Austin. The weather at MMMY was marginal VFR and there were no controllers there - so that it made it easier to get in the air. Flight plan was LRD-SAT-CWK. Crossing the border near Laredo I was contacted by Houston Center, and shortly afterward directed to cross pilot's discretion one zero thousand, and to expect ILS Runway 17R. Received the full treatment, though conditions were very good and could have just canceled IFR and landed visual. I think there is an event in Fort Worth pretty soon - I'll keep you posted about this - hope to see more ATXans on VATSIM - it was fun.

Plans for Houston Live!

AeroTexas plans to participate in the 2009 Houston Live event. The event is pretty much free-form - so there's no specific departure or destinations, but the goal is to spend some time in Houston ARTCC airspace, or ZHU (see map).

As I plan for this event I think there are several options for AeroTexas members. The most basic is simply a one leg flight inside Houston airspace. I'm thinking the best plan for this option is to fly from San Antonio to Houston (either KIAH or KHOU will probably guarantee coverage all the way to ground). A second option is to either depart ZHU and land in another airspace, such as KAUS-KDFW, or depart from outside and return to ZHU, such as Memphis to Austin or Houston.

If you really want to mix things up, I would recommend a triangle. Flight triangles are a lot of fun and allow for different experiences in different centers. One possibility is Corpus - Lake Charles - Alliance (KAFW) - Corpus. All of the airports are relatively small, but have long enough runways for large jets. This means you usually won't have to deal with ground and tower comms - just pick up your clearance from Center before departing. Smaller airports I think are just easier to deal with all the way around - and it gives you the opportunity to consider a non-precision approach should conditions prevail upon your instrument skills. And if not - then you'll likely get a visual approach from a harried Center controller. If it gets too crazyn then you can just cancel IFR below 18000 and make your way in however you want!

Still another option would be to fly Bravo local - you could do KHOU-KGLS-KBPT-KIAH, for instance. All of these routes are valid and acceptable for the fly-in and any curve balls you can throw to ATC will keep things interesting for you and controllers.

Don't forget - this Saturday, August 22nd Houston ARTCC controllers will gather in Houston and they will be plugged into the scopes for 3 hours of LIVE controlling. Staffed from Delivery to Center, pilots will enjoy professional and courteous Lone Star hospitality as Houston controllers guide them safely home. No sign ups, no timetables, no worries, just come fly the friendly skies of Houston ARTCC (ZHU). The event will be in effect from 2200Z to 0100Z (5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M.)

Houston LIVE!

On Saturday, August 22nd Houston ARTCC controllers will gather in Houston and they will be plugged into the scopes for 3 hours of LIVE controlling. Staffed from Delivery to Center, pilots will enjoy professional and courteous Lone Star hospitality as Houston controllers guide them safely home. No sign ups, no timetables, no worries, just come fly the friendly skies of Houston. The event will be in effect from 2200Z to 0100Z (5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M.)