2009 Check Ride - Starts November 1st

The checkride period this year will be from November 1st to November 30th. As in previous years, this is a mandatory checkride for all members of AeroTexas. The difference this year is there are two options:

The first option is the easiest - simply pick any flight from the regional or continental schedules at AeroTexas, and complete that flight on the VATSIM network using your AeroTexas ID as the callsign. Then, report your flight as usual and note in the comments section that the flight was a checkride, and that it was flown on VATSIM.

The second option is similar to what you've seen in the past - completing a flight using a variant of ATAVS; this option may not be available until mid-November, which might leave only a two-week window (more details will be released here when it's ready).

I would really prefer if everyone chose the first option, as we could use the exposure on the VATSIM network. And as further motivation, the second option will be particularly challenging (i.e., about a two-hour flight with no autopilot and lots of VOR work).

The check ride period starts tomorrow - Happy Halloween!

FuelJabber is now FUEL²

FuelJabber is now FUEL² and has moved! FUEL² is an advanced fuel planner for Flight Simulator. Features include options for more than 20 different aircraft, time-based and distance-based flight dispatch models, FAR domestic, international, and JAR rulesets; and a complete loadsheet, complete with weight and balance information. Check it out here

Boeing 747 Preview

Runway and Weather Data

Here is a sneak peek at ATAVS version 7.4 - as you can tell, this will be a version update, not just a new release. The newest feature is an airport information window that displays runway and elevation, including ILS frequencies and approach headings. And you also get the current weather through the METAR displayed in the same window. A new statusbar in the main window displays the estimated time of arrival for the flight in progress. I'm hoping to release ATAVS 7.4 this weekend so stay tuned!

FuelJabber Updated

The AeroTexas FuelJabber, our unique flight simulation online fuel planner now includes a weight analysis so you can verify that the fuel requirements do not exceed maximum fuel weight. FuelJabber also adds a payload estimate based on actual load factors, so you can plan weight and balance more realistically, and actually have a reason to kick off passengers if the the weight exceed maximums.

Click here to go to the FuelJabber

When One Menu Isn't Enough

Today we added a simple menu at the bottom of the home page. We're calling this the Easy Access Bar because it puts common public features of the website at your fingertips, without having to go through the Members Only area to get there. Today it has links to the roster, the VOR RouteFinder, the fuel planner, our vatsim status page, the our flight tracking display, and finally a link to the onloine optimized descent planner. Hope you enjoy the toys!

ATAVS 7.3 Released

ATAVS is a Microsoft Flight Simulator add-on that provides enroute flight validation and simplifies flight reporting. ATAVS is pre-registered for use with FSUIPC so it can be used with both registered and unregistered versions of FSUIPC.

ATAVS Version 7.3 was released today. All members should download the update before your next flight. This version supports MSFS FS2002, FS2004 (FS9/COF), and FSX.

CAT II/III Endorsements

Starting this year, pilots with at least a Regional Jet Captain rating (40+ hours) can work on special low IFR endorsements: CAT II, CAT IIIa, CAT IIIb, and CAT IIIc. These endorsements show up on the roster next to your rating and sleeve stripes, but the best thing about these endorsements is they no longer require a checkride!



But they're not easy to get and they do require currency to keep, because these low weather endorsements require a good bit of regular flying in the low stuff, and they automatically expire after a period of time unless you remain current. Here's how it works:

Qualified pilots (Regional Jet Captain or higher) who have logged at least one IFR flight in the past 45 days are automatically granted a provisional CAT II certification. On the roster page this shows up as a star (*). To convert this to a full blown CAT II endorsement you'll need to log one or more LIFR, CAT II, or CAT III flights (the so-called GROUP ALPHA flights). GROUP BRAVO flights are designated for any flight that terminates with CAT II or CAT III weather.

CAT IIIa: Qualified pilots who have logged at least two (2) GROUP ALPHA flights, of which one (or more) was a flight from GROUP BRAVO in the past 45 days will receive a CAT IIIa endorsement. The CAT IIIa endorsement authorizes approaches down to RA75.

CAT IIIb: Qualified pilots who have logged at least three (3) GROUP ALPHA flights, of which one (or more) was a CAT III flight, will receive a CAT IIIb endorsement. The CAT IIIb endorsement authorizes you to fly approaches down to RA50.

CAT IIIc: Qualified pilots who have logged at least five (5) GROUP ALPHA flights, of which three (3) or more were CAT III flights, will receive a CAT IIIc endorsement. The CAT IIIc endorsement is the pinnacle of low IFR – this endorsement authorizes you to fly zero-visibility approaches.

You'll also be pleased to know that all the endorsements mentioned here come with their own ribbons, and are visible on your awards page after a performance audit. To see these and other awards go to Awards at AeroTexas

Preparing for VATSIM

I recently came across an informative and very fun flightsim podcast. It's called FSBreak. Hosted by Eric McClintock and friends, each podcast includes lots of interviews, reviews of flightsim products, and entertaining humor. If you love flightsim, you'll enjoy this podcast.

Podcast #34 on Sept 16th included an interview with Ian Elchitz, VATSIM Supervisor and Air Traffic Manager for the Los Angeles ARTCC. Ian talks about an event called LA Swarm, which was last weekend, but his insight into flying on VATSIM is especially helpful for simmers who have never flown online. Starting about 12 minutes into the podcast, Ian explains step-by-step what you can expect when flying online, and offer some great advice about realism settings and tips for communication with air traffic controllers. After listening to this podcast I wanted to logon to VATSIM and fly to LAX.

Yes - a big thumbs up to Ian Elchitz and all the dedicated folks at VATSIM!

Click here to listen to FSBreak Episode 34

RouteFinder Updated

The AeroTexas RouteFinder now supports trans-Atlantic routes using North Atlantic Tracks (NATs). This route network stretches across the Atlantic Ocean from northeast North America and Canada to western Europe.

Also new - Two additional options have been added (really just made operational, finally) to help with flight planning:

1. Preferred Routes from the National Flight Data Center

and

2. Coded Departure Routes from the FAA's Collaborative Decision Making (CDM) program.

This flight planner can be accessed from the Members Only area (don't confuse it with the VOR-only routefinder that is available to the public).