Raising Interest in SAX Group Flights

[David Vega]

Fellow Captains,

If you missed today's group flight, you missed another good one. We flew from the home of the old subLOGIC, Champaign, Illinois, USA, to the busiest airport, at least for a couple of weeks every year, the home of Air Venture at Oshkosh, Wisconsin, USA. Except, it really wasn't busy at all, not because the show had not started, but because there were only three SAX pilots flying.

Why do we not see more SunAir pilots at the group flights? While wondering this, thought I look at it from a different perspective and ask what would motivate you to participate in the group flights. What could we do to make them more interesting for you?

Let me offer several starting points for discussion. Is it the time of day they're held? Do you prefer to fly on your own and not with company? Do you find them not so realistic compared with the rest of SAX operations? Do you not have appropriate connectivity (Internet access, etc.) to participate? Do you fear that your flying skills would be criticized? Should we make the group flights instructional in nature?

Please chime in and state your opinion and feedback. Looking forward to some great ideas.

Best regards,

Dave Vega
SAX702

[Dave Blake]

In case you are wondering why we hold the group flights at 2:00 PM Eastern Time on a Sunday, it is so our pilots in Europe can have a chance to participate without having to stay up too late at night. 2:00 Eastern Time is 8:00 or 9:00 PM for most of Europe.

[David Vega]

Now, I'm sure there's at least one idea out there. Is the lack of postings a message saying group flights are not that important to you?

[Al O'Brien]

I personally enjoy the group flights. They give you a chance to interact
with people that are interested and knowledgeable in flightsiming and computing
and who are just trying to make it fun and interesting for those who particapate.
It is a real time situation that can get a little intense some times when
the wheels start to come off, which only makes it more engrossing. I have made
some truly horrible landings, have forgot to turn on the pitot heat which
leads to some funny handling characteristics, have gotten turned around
on ILS approaches and perfomed other equally interesting feats of magic and
have yet to here one snide remark although some may have been warranted.
I have learned much about flightsiming and getting a computer to work
in a network situation. A lot of thought and imagination goes
into coming up with Ideas for the flyins, and when you complete one there
is a certain feeling of accomplishment. I would encourage people to give
it a try; it is a lot of fun and everybody involved will do there best
to make it successful for you.
Al sax067

[orac]

Prefer flying solo, not group flying. At the very least, prefer everyone flying from their own starting point to a predefined place and time, such as the VATSIM 15-year anniversary fly-in early this year. Also enjoy being part of a special-purpose airlift, like when we flew Dave Vega home from Iraq early this year. A bunch of planes all flying from the same point A to the same point B at the same time just doesn't do anything for me.
___
Neil

[chriszdc]

I enjoy the flights - even got to vector folks one time lol

problem for me is either work, or r/l issues, but I do like it when I can make it

[Jim Tilley]

Hi fellas, My biggest issue with group flights is I'm not usually around to fly them at the assigned times. Another issue for me is I still use the fs9 ATC and don't have live communications. My computer expertise is somewhat limited. I enjoy the airline very much and appreciate the hard work you all put into it. Thanks. Jim