Poll: VFR Flight Routes

[Dave Blake]

I've been thinking about developing some VFR routes that would be flown in a small aircraft like the Cessna C208. Think of them as charter freight flights. The idea behind the VFR flights is this would give pilots a chance to fly low and slow to enjoy some scenic flying.

Setting up new routes and a new type aircraft takes a lot of work. If pilots think VFR flights would not be a good idea for an IFR airline we won't pursue it.

What do you think? Your comments are welcomed.

[peterom]

Sounds interesting!

[orac]

Not for me, but I wouldn't hold it against management if they wanted to have the flights available for those pilots who want them.
_
Neil

[peterom]

I think it would be okay for lines to be developed and flown for those who want a change of pace.

[JohnnyT]

For many years ago I flew some sceduled VFR post flights in the northern of Norway. It was very fun! A mission was about 4-6 stops at small airfields and took about 2-4 hours to fly. I flew a GAF Nomad twin-engine turboprop. A "short take off and landing" (STOL) aircraft. So Dave, I think it would be great!
//Johnny SAX715

[Jim Tilley]

I would absolutely fly them....Sounds like fun...jt

[shackler781]

I love the idea. Let's give it a shot!

[jww12112]

I personally like flying the IFR routes. If pilots want to adds VFR flights I'm fine with that. Maybe I'd try some of them in the future.

[peterom]

Any decision made on this?

[David Vega]

Peter, no decision yet, we're still looking at this. Don't know how many pilots would go for it, and it could be that the few that do would just do the flights once. But, no decision yet.

Dave
sax702

[peterom]

Maybe one way to insure more than one flight per line is to have pilots "earn the right" to go from the right seat to the left.

[chriszdc]

Late to the game but I really like the idea. Some nice grand caravans

[BearWhoTalks]

I like to fly VFR flights. I pick places and then fly there, look around, and land. It would be great to have a bush type flying in Alaska for example.

[airifr]

No for me also, VFR on a simulation is useless, even though there is a lot of VFR scenery addons.

Just for scenic pleasure the VFR scenes I guess for better immersion on IFR flighs but for actually navigating hmm..

[peterom]

Keep in mind, VFR flight is more than just following scenery. It involves planning, using the NAV for positioning, etc. Maybe a PPL series of flights can be set up to get PPL certification via Sunair.

[airifr]

Keep in mind, VFR flight is more than just following scenery. It involves planning, using the NAV for positioning, etc.....

That was the all point of my initial post , not forgetting collision avoidance witch is one of the MAIN job once you're in the cockpit AFTER maintaining your pitch by referencing out of the window...in the REAL airplane.


In front of the computer, you see everything, not just outside but the instruments also unless you hide the panel so it is just no use..


And mind you you need plan IFR flights too, even more.

[RichW]

I would probably not fly VFR routes but the idea of short and small cargo is interesting. I would be more interested in flying them IFR.

What I really would like is to transition the B190's to Q400's. Not to hijack the topic but has anyone else expressed interest in this?

Thanks ... Rich

[David Vega]

Rich,

A good idea, the B190 is getting old. Where would you see the Q400 flying, US? Europe? both? Do you see a slow phase in of the Q400, or immediate. Do you know of a good freeware Q400 for FSX and for FS9?

Dave
sax702

[BearWhoTalks]

I did a quick search and found this free download link.

http://www.fs-freeware.net/flight-simul ... 00-package

[RichW]

I would like to see the Q400 in Europe and the US. Most of my flights are in the US but I notice a lot of flights logged in Europe. I haven't flown the B190 in years so a quick replacement would be great. I know its a lot of work so maybe a gradual transition starting with the longer B190 lines might be more realistic.

I have the Majestic Q400 but there are a few good freeware Q400's out.

Thanks Dave for considering this.

Rich

[David Vega]

I did a quick search and found this free download link.

http://www.fs-freeware.net/flight-simul ... 00-package

Thanks Peter. Have you tried it? How does it fly?

Dave
sax702

[David Vega]

I would like to see the Q400 in Europe and the US. Most of my flights are in the US but I notice a lot of flights logged in Europe. I haven't flown the B190 in years so a quick replacement would be great. I know its a lot of work so maybe a gradual transition starting with the longer B190 lines might be more realistic.

I have the Majestic Q400 but there are a few good freeware Q400's out.

Thanks Dave for considering this.

Rich

Thanks Rich. We would need to have a good freeware model with a paint kit. There's no doubt about the best payware Q400 out there. Would the Q400 fly into the same airports as the B190? Since the Q400 has a higher passenger capacity, it would seem that they would be used for regional flights, like perhaps the smaller regional jets. The B190 is typically used to fly to fly the up to 19 passengers to and from smaller feed airports to a hub.

Good info on the Q400 here.

Dave
sax702

[BearWhoTalks]

I did a quick search and found this free download link.

http://www.fs-freeware.net/flight-simul ... 00-package

Thanks Peter. Have you tried it? How does it fly?

Dave
sax702

Hi Dave, I did try it and it wasn't as great as the advertisement. For those who like to start cold, there was nothing on the overhead panel. I don't think the model was realistic. I am sorry that I hadn't tried it when I sent the link. I think I will go with the Pay ware version if you decide to include it in the SunAir Fleet.

Peter
sax728

[David Vega]

Thank you Peter. If it flies OK should be good enough for folks that just like to get on it and fly. Do you know if it has a paint kit, or a blank texture? I can't download it right now, but could check later. BTW, the original of that one is by Premier Aircraft Design available here.

Dave
sax702

[BearWhoTalks]

Thank you Peter. If it flies OK should be good enough for folks that just like to get on it and fly. Do you know if it has a paint kit, or a blank texture? I can't download it right now, but could check later. BTW, the original of that one is by Premier Aircraft Design available here.

Dave
sax702

Hi Dave, It it is a smooth flier, very much like a sports car. I didn't see a paint kit and I didn't notice if it had a blank texture.

Peter
sax728