I'm not sure what positive potential is offered. Trying to dial in FSNet as part of pilot acceptance would be very offputting to many, amongst whom I would count myself. At one time I thought it was going to be a big step forward, in providing the opportunity for a two man flight deck, with responsibillities shared between the two. I understand this isn't actually possible, at which point my personal enthusiasm evaporates. If used in an instructor role, in JHB, then I expect the instructor(s) would need to pass fairly stringent tests, before before taking on the role; both flying capabillity and the abillity to instruct. The two don't necessarilly go together. From that we'd need someone to take on the role of testing the would be instructors. Sounds like a minefield to me.
Gerry Winskill bones wrote:
I'm not sure I see what you are getting at here Frank. I think we already established that fact. bones -----Original Message----- From: jhb-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:jhb-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Franklyn Fisher Sent: 11 May 2007 19:03 To: jhb@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [jhb] Re: PCI Breaking News 3)New pilots: - At Cix we offer training using FSNet where if things go pearshaped, the instructor does indeed take over. Bones My understanding is, that FSNet can be used on any network, it piggybacks one player onto the one who is actually logged in. Frank ----- Original Message ----- From: "bones" <bones@xxxxxxx> To: <jhb@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Friday, May 11, 2007 5:02 PM Subject: [jhb] Re: PCI Breaking NewsYou make some good points there Peter so excuse what may be a lengthy reply. 1) Now that members are experienced, is VATSIM such a bad option? Not at all - but I can see problems here. VATSIM is a step too far to newcomers to ATC and it is this market I want to open up. PCI gives a more relaxed, informal system on which skills can be taught and honed towards the standard VATSIM would expect. Some existing pilots are well up to VATSIM levels now but controllers are a different issue. To log in as a VATSIM student controller requires a test to be taken and then training has to be booked with a qualified mentor. I am not on the VATSIM mentor list simply because I didn't want to get swamped with trainees all the time - it would have been a full time job which would have stopped my design work and my JHB involvement. VATSIM UK is also going through a tough time and there is a meeting coming up to discuss UK issues. I've not found out what these are (I don't read the UK forum) but feelings seem to be high about the direction the UK is going in. I'd rather not jump into VATSIM whilst it is this state of flux. 2)In terms of maintaining the adrenalin fix, flying to places abroad gives you a big one if the controller at the forrin end is a native of that country. There are hardly any controllers in PCI outside the UK any more so that option is limited. If you are specifically talking about VATSIM then the idea is not immediately advisable as pilots will have a lot of work on their hands just adjusting to the new system. For example, with a lot more ATC units being present on VATSIM it would be far more essential for pilots to have a clear idea about airspace boundaries and ensure that they don't climb into airways or fly into active CTR's. To do so would probably invoke a stronger reaction from VATSIM controllers than here on PCI. 3)New pilots: - At Cix we offer training using FSNet where if things go pearshaped, the instructor does indeed take over. Does this mean you take new pilots directly into VATSIM? If so do you have a rule that requires new pilots to log in only if you have an instructor booked for the session specifically for that pilot? If we go that route then we would require a grading system for JHB pilots so that some could be classified at instructor level. The downside is that instructors may find themselves permanently stuck in the role and that isn't always welcome. bones -----Original Message----- From: jhb-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:jhb-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Peter Dodds Sent: 11 May 2007 11:19 To: jhb@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Cc: pdodds@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [jhb] Re: PCI Breaking NewsWe have a small community which is friendly, supportive and helpful. We don't just fly together, we share personal life experiences and specialist aviation knowledge and we are all happy to pool our (varied) knowledge of pc systems and hardware. I will always want to be identified with JHB, long may we survive.Totally agree. Members of the Cix VFR Club say similar things about us! Although I don't fly with JHB (I don't even get to fly with Cix that often these days because the family need me) I feel 100% a member of JHB because of the group's inclusive nature. A couple of points from Bones' long post. 1) Now that members are experienced, is Vatsim such a bad option? JHB could "adopt" an airfield, as Cix have adopted Biggin Hill and Gloucester. In fact we have had Gary Summons (a member) create a club hangar for us at Gloucester and we have "built" a Clubhouse, FBO and hangar (with opening doors no less) at Biggin. Ops could be based from there and we would have the big advantage of lots of places to go with good ATC cover. Vatsim mans London Information regularly these days, so you can get continuous ATC for VFR flights from Cornwall to Cromer! Airfields which currently have no resident ATC in Vatsim are too numerous to mention, but for those JHB controllers who are currently not licensed on Vatsim, they can operate as students under Bones' supervision until they qualify. It would be a new direction, but JHB would be moving into the mainstream of on-line flying without losing its unique identity. 2)In terms of maintaining the adrenalin fix, flying to places abroad gives you a big one if the controller at the forrin end is a native of that country. This can happen with vatsim; Cix's most recent event was to Le Touquet from Biggin, with a genooine frenchman on Lille radar and Le Took tower. 14 aircraft took part (we invited Bristol virtual flying club to join us and there were 22 movements on the night. Flights on such a scale I am sure would be entirely possible within JHB if my suggestion 1) were considered. 3)New pilots: - At Cix we offer training using FSNet where if things go pearshaped, the instructor does indeed take over. With FSX cockpit sharing, student/instructor flights are even easier. Student/Instructor flights with either FSNet (for FS9) or FSX work under Vatsim, with both pilots able to use the radio. This is a major plus, because it is using the radio which is the biggest hurdle for new on-line pilots to overcome and they often collapse in gibbering verbiage at first, the instructor hastily taking over. Peter -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.467 / Virus Database: 269.6.8/797 - Release Date: 10/05/2007 17:10
