Delta Virtual Airlines Water Cooler - Some thoughts about DVA...

Delta Virtual Airlines Water Cooler | Airline Operations | Some thoughts about DVA...

DVA10723
Captain, B737-800
OLP

Joined on May 10 2012
50 State Club
Globetrotter
DVA Ten-Year Anniversary
Two Million Mile Club
US Capital Club
Flying Colonel
Carolina Club
Everett 1500 Club

Myrtle Beach, SC

1,547 legs, 4,986.4 hours
19 legs, 27.1 hours online
1,525 legs, 4,930.9 hours ACARS
2 legs, 4.6 hours event

Posted onPost created on October 16 2012 08:17 ET by Josh Martin

I was reading another thread and was going to comment in it, but I thought I'd just start my own thread. I just wanted to share my feelings about DVA with everyone.

I have used Microsoft Flight simulator to some degree since I believe their '95 version (good 'ol rwy 36 at meigs field with soldier field on the left). I learned basic rules & procedures for flying with '95, controls and what most of the gauges meant, and used the knowledge to obtain my PPL in 2002-2003. I was on FSX this past Spring, when suddenly I stumbled across the term "virtual airline." I had no idea what it was, so googled it, and was absolutely stunned at what I was finding. In all the years I've been interested in aviation, I had never heard of this craze. I couldn't believe the amount of detail that seemed to be involved, and I was instantly obsessed with finding out more about it. DVA was one of the first ones I found on google, and I couldn't sign-up fast enough. I kept refreshing my inbox, waiting to hear something back. I was instantly sucked in once I was signed up and was able to fly with a purpose (something different than just flying randomly like I had done for years past). When I received my password, I just couldn't believe the resources available to us on here. The manuals, the fleet freeware, ACARS, virtual ATC....was just stunning!!! This summer, I decided the laptop just wasn't cutting it, so I lit my credit card on fire and bought a brand new desktop with a 2gb video card, 3.4ghz I5 Processor, and a 23" 1200p monitor. I used some money that my grandmother had left me when she passed away in June. I knew she would have approved since she knew flying was my passion.

I have learned so much since I joined in May, but know I still have so much to learn (ex: I'm still practically clueless on how the FMC works). I know how to use the GPS, NAV freq with ILS approach, glide slope, etc...but as far as things like the FMC are concerned, I just haven't had the patience to figure it all out. I'm hoping to dedicate some time to that in the near future and finally figure it out.

I just wanted to share how I stumbled across this group after years of apparently living under a rock. I would have been on here with the veterans had I heard about this before this year. I'd probably have a DVA# of 100-200 or something instead of 10723....lol. Anyway, I appreciate all of the veterans on here who have kept this website alive and strong for so long, and am really glad that this was where I found a home right off the bat!!!

To any newbies on here, you have found the right place...trust me!!

Josh

Josh Martin

Captain, B737-800

DVA10641
Assistant Chief Pilot, B757-200
OLP

Joined on March 29 2012
50 State Club
Globetrotter
Million Mile Club
US Mountaineer Club
US Coastal Club
DVA Ten-Year Anniversary
Flying Colonel
Online Fifteen Century
Everett 1500 Club
Events Quintuple Century Club

Rosemount, MN USA

1,987 legs, 4,456.2 hours
1,865 legs, 3,929.2 hours online
1,967 legs, 4,422.4 hours ACARS
638 legs, 1,290.5 hours event
18 legs dispatched, 157.2 hours

Posted onPost created on October 16 2012 10:02 ET by Jason Boche

There are a lot of parallels between your story and mine. I had been a very casual flight simmer since the early 90's. My interest would come and go as I balanced my time with other hobbies, sports, and girls. It wasn't until MS Flight came out that my interest was renewed, not in FSX but with MS Flight specifically. Flight held my interest for a few months and I had made a few friends flying online but it had gotten boring being stuck in Hawaii and as most of us know by now, Flight would never meet simmer requirements & unfortunately disbanded. In March I went on a family vacation in Tucson where I spent some time pool side & in the evenings looking at FSX websites on my iPad and for the first time, an interest in virtual airlines to fulfill the need of flying with a sense of purpose. Like yourself, I discovered DVA first and was drawn towards it partly because of a strong connection to NorthWest and partly because DVA looked very well polished. I decided to make a commitment & submitted my pilot application/exam while in Tucson. When I returned to Minnesota I found I had been accepted & hired. I had a lot of learning to do and started in the CRJ-200 program. It has been fun and a great learning experience ever since. I feel very much like a late bloomer but fortunately there are people who have stuck around and continue to support this thriving community. There are also people like us that are "new" and will hopefully be able to carry the ball forward for a few years and beyond.

Jason Boche

Assistant Chief Pilot, B757-200

DVA455
Senior Captain, MD-88

Joined on April 29 2002
Century Club

"Aquatone"
Shelbyville, IN

132 legs, 255.8 hours
79 legs, 158.6 hours online
29 legs, 52.9 hours ACARS
2 legs, 3.8 hours event
276 legs, 632.7 hours total
23 legs dispatched, 11.3 hours

Posted onPost created on October 16 2012 10:04 ET by Ryan Watkins

Josh,

Welcome to DVA. A few of your comments hit pretty close to home. I was also sitting there refreshing my inbox waiting for my application status to come back. I hit up Dell as soon as I had the chance. I had a 128MB power house! Soon I upgraded to 512MB RAM and my friend were amazed saying "no way!" Technology has come a long way.

I think you're going to enjoy your time here. It's a very rewarding experience, and lots of great people. This community we have here is actually alive, and the forum is the most active around.

Anyway, here's the start of a 3-part series on the Boeing FMC. I know it's based on the 737 but they are very similar. Enjoy! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSM60rwr-Ac

Ryan Watkins (DVA455)

Posted onPost created on October 16 2012 12:24 ET by Josh Martin

Good to hear some responses from you guys. And Ryan, thanks for the video. I'll sit down and try to learn it once I reinstall the Level-D 767

Josh Martin

Captain, B737-800

DVA9571
Senior Captain, B767-300

Joined on March 10 2011
Everett 500 Club
Online Quintuple Century Club
DVA Five-Year Anniversary
Six Century Club

Miami, FL USA

612 legs, 2,333.0 hours
590 legs, 2,242.9 hours online
602 legs, 2,307.3 hours ACARS

Posted onPost created on October 16 2012 14:51 ET by Bob Klemm

Josh, do you have the Level D manual? That should help you a lot, with learning the FMC.

http://www.leveldsim.com/files/Level-D67-Manual.exe

Bob Klemm

Senior Captain, B767-300

Posted onPost created on October 16 2012 15:23 ET by Ryan Watkins

The system is pretty straight forward as far as preflight programming. In flight there are different ways to control your flight with the CDU, from climb to descent and everything in between. It's a very comprehensive system but once you get the hang of it you'll be really glad you did.

Ryan Watkins (DVA455)

Posted onPost created on October 16 2012 15:27 ET by Josh Martin

Ryan Watkins wrote:

It's a very comprehensive system but once you get the hang of it you'll be really glad you did.

Yeah that's what I've heard... smile

Josh Martin

Captain, B737-800

Posted onPost created on October 16 2012 16:02 ET by Jason Boche

Josh Martin wrote:

Ryan Watkins wrote:

It's a very comprehensive system but once you get the hang of it you'll be really glad you did.

Yeah that's what I've heard... :)

You heard right smile

Jason Boche

Assistant Chief Pilot, B757-200

Posted onPost created on October 17 2012 19:52 ET by Josh Martin

so I'm trying to figure out the Level-D. The FMC doesn't even have the model information or anything on the screen. What am I not doing??

Josh Martin

Captain, B737-800

Posted onPost created on October 17 2012 21:12 ET by Ryan Watkins

Make sure you have power connected. I think it is fed off the main AC bus. Hit INIT REF, top left button on the key pad. This should initially bring up your IDENT page. Fron there press 6R (POS INIT) and you're on your way.

By the way, if you click up in the top left area of the FMC display screen you'll see KA appear. That's the keyboard assist which allows you to enter data from your keyboard rather than having to click on the keys in the kay pad on the screen. Click that same area again and it disengages keyboard assist.

Ryan Watkins (DVA455)

Posted onPost created on October 18 2012 07:41 ET by Josh Martin

Ryan Watkins wrote:

Make sure you have power connected. I think it is fed off the main AC bus. Hit INIT REF, top left button on the key pad. This should initially bring up your IDENT page. Fron there press 6R (POS INIT) and you're on your way.

By the way, if you click up in the top left area of the FMC display screen you'll see KA appear. That's the keyboard assist which allows you to enter data from your keyboard rather than having to click on the keys in the kay pad on the screen. Click that same area again and it disengages keyboard assist.

Thanks for the tips. I'll try it again tonight. I'm determined to figure this beast out...haha

Josh Martin

Captain, B737-800

Posted onPost created on October 18 2012 23:13 ET by Ryan Watkins

You'll get it, it just takes some getting used to. After a while you won't be able to understand how you flew the bird without it. Personally, I like the older jets without FMCs, but they really do give you more of a modern approach to realism. Too bad the 707's not still around!

By the way, all the info on the system starts on page 69 in the Level-D AOM.

Note the bottom of each page - "Not for use in real aviation." I'm not really so sure about that. It's not a 100% true replica or anything, but I'm sure if it all hit the fan you could probably use the real one with some level of comfort after mastering this.

Ryan Watkins (DVA455)

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