WestWind Airlines

Hi All,

(I know it's another story, but) what a pleasure to see that Scott too gives a crucial value to VC's. In another thread, I was not able to convince our "retired" Capt but still a dedicated developper () nor Mike Gibbs to admit that point of view. I haven't been more able to convince anybody that  modern airplanes, even virtual ones, absolutely need to have an FMS/FMC/CDU if the real ones have one. Otherwise they're not realistic at all. This, among other things, shows how hugely different habits members of the same virtual airline can have with their PC and flight simulator. Sometimes we aren't even on the same frequency, so to speak.

So, as you can imagine, I only fly paywares (or maybe the iFly 744), the only ones with FMS, decent (fully or almost fully clickable) VC and functional/clickable overhead.

Recently, I bought the Leonardo's Maddog (www.flythemaddog.com) MD-82 and I can only say it has reached the highest level of flight simulation (on MSFS), just like the Level-D 763 and the PMDG 744, which are, to my eyes, the BEST ever, worldwide. It's also a very complicated logic and overhead panel. But it's a extremely detailed add-on panel and logic.

So I can only recommend painting it and putting it into the FSX fleet if WWA can get along with the developpers. It has all what you require, since, I can tell you, it flies superbly at hand (and of course also with the AP and ATh). Extremely well done (and I am picky client, believe me) !

I bought it when they announced the publishing of the VC. But, big surprise, it seems that the VC is only for FS9 for the time being (whereas I have only been flying FSX for almost one year). Not fair, to my eyes, they should have clearly announced that. Nevertheless the 2D panel is brilliant and ... I am flying it, believe it or not. One of the best I have known and - to my own surprise - I was awarded recently for more than 100 hours on the level D 763, the best there is).

But this is just my opiniion. And I must confess, I don't do anything else in this airline than flying. No painting whatsoever.

Philippe Bleus

WWA307 - Senior Comd Capt EHAM

I agree that level d 767 is the best aircraft ever and I agree that more payware planes should be added!

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Pranas Drulis
WWA2097
Cat 4
FS9 + Level D 767

Assistant Hub Manager Amsterdam

There are still some stock FSX or Acceleration aircraft that should be considered for a repaint, such as,

- The Bell 206, which is useful for so many of our executive charters.

- The EH101, which could also be used for executive charters and, if we ever added them, scheduled passenger helicopter flights near some of our major hubs.

- The DC3, which is useful for some executive charters and would be a good small cargo plane for remote, under-developed areas such as Northern Canada or Africa.

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Tony Lyons
WWA1369

TonyL:

There are still some stock FSX or Acceleration aircraft that should be considered for a repaint, such as,

- The Bell 206, which is useful for so many of our executive charters.

- The EH101, which could also be used for executive charters and, if we ever added them, scheduled passenger helicopter flights near some of our major hubs.

- The DC3, which is useful for some executive charters and would be a good small cargo plane for remote, under-developed areas such as Northern Canada or Africa.

Without having thought about it much, I can't think of any reason we should not have helicopter flights. I think the hub managers could add some if they wish.

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WWA1702 Senior Command Captain +3
RWP SEL Instrument Rating (almost)
WW Test Pilot
Monster Driver

I am a HUGE helicoptor fan!!!  I sure wish we had more FSX helicopters.  The WWA FS9 Gazelle would be nice.  Does anyone know if it works in FSX?  I know it's been said to not expect anymore choppers for FSX, but there's no better way to enjoy the scenery than in a chopper!  Plus, multiplaying is a lot more fun watching the other player bounce around and play some "cat and mouse" down some canyon walls.

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David Hedges
Hub Manager, Miami (KMIA)
WWA1864, Senior Command Captain
Monster Driver

All of the wishes expressed in this thread are based on the assumption that we have people who can paint all these aircraft.   Sorry, we don't!

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Bob S.
Senior Command Captain
E.V.P. Scenery

Well, Folks in the management positions, and fellows pilots,

If there is noone to paint the planes, there is noone, period.

But this situation, connected with the new rule ("you will only be allowed to put in your logbook hours flown on an aircraft present in Westwind's FSX list") leads us to the sad, sad, sad situation that we MISS the TOP of the cream coming on the market. Two examples : the Leonardo Maddog MD-82 that I already mentioned above (in another answer in this very thread) and the Ariane Design 737-900ER (the only native FSX in their fleet, brand new) . Both marvels! And, remember, I am picky.

So, please, please, please, let us, we, who fly online and absolutely need a FMC/CDU to fly real routes under control of ATC + highly appreciate really realistic airplanes (with 3D cockpîts and full clickable overhead panels, e.g. = the TOP of realism) so, please let us fly those aircraft if we have the necessary rank (seniority) to do it.

Needless to tell us that they need an WWAL livery, since, when you fly online, it is of little relevance that your plane has a WWAL livery : the livery other pilots see on their screen depends on 1. your good configuration of FSInn or Squawkbox and 2. What the other player has done in his own FSInn or Squawkbox. With a good configuration on both sides, the nice WWAL livery will get through to third pilots even if we don't have it on our own screens. And vice versa : it won't get through even if we have it if someone has badly configured his interface.

So, really there is no good reason for forbidding us to fly (e.g.) top level paywares of the same "type" as the ones in the WWAL list. Example : The Maddog is a MD-82 whereas the list contains a MD-81. Are you going to continue forbidding her ? The above mentioned Ariane Design is a FSX 739ER and there is a 739ER in the FS2004 list. Will you seriously keep preventing us from flying the Ariane ? When both of those aircraft are category (and type) wise equivalent or identical (let's say, in the worst case, very similar) but much more realistic, much more sophisticated and much more difficult to fly and manage because of their complexity. Tomorrow, the PMDG MD 11 is gonna come out of the production plants. Same reasons.

As an European, I gladly joined Westwind Airlines (by the time of FS98 !!!), for many reasons (love at first sight that has lasted up to now). Also because it was an US based airline, an airline based in the country of liberty. So I can only ask for this liberty here, provided that there is no fraud towards the rank (seniority) level, but the mere, sound and fun challenge of flying more difficult and more realistic aircraft.

Will there be an ear to listen this polite request ???? Thanks a lot already.

Philippe Bleus

WWAL 307 Senior Comd Capt - EHAM

All I can say is that you can't always get what you want. I think that only flying WWA aircraft is fair as this is Westwind Airlines. You don't see United Airlines aircraft flying in American Airlines colours, do you? No. They are 2 different airlines with distinct liveries that signify an independance. The pilots flying those aircraft are representing their airline, like we should be doing. I'm sure Kim and the rest of the guys in higher managment would have no problem adding a top quality aircraft to the fleet list if it was Westwind colours, not some other livery. Also, regardless of rank, each pilot has chosen to be part of this airline, to dedicate time to this airline, especially those in managment. We want to see it grow, become more well known. Westwind allow their fleet to be downloaded by anybody, whether a member or not. This helps us become better known and hopefully atract new pilots. So, in my opinion, and I'm sure that most of our pilots will agree with me, Westwind Airlines should fly Westwind Airlines' aircraft. It only makes simple sense. If you flew for any other VA, you would only be able to fly their aircraft and from what I see on other VA's websites, we have one of the biggest fleets on the internet. So I think that we should leave this rule the way it is. The only reason it was there was because of the shortage of FSX aircraft in the fleet. We now have 24 (I think) aircraft in our FSX fleet so I think that Steve and whoever else was involved made a good,logical decision, that should be listened to and abided by all WWA pilots and as I said at the start, you can't always have it the way you want. The airline has done enough for us pilots, I don't think it needs to do anymore.

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Eoin Coates
Command Captain
Real World Student Pilot
Frankfurt am Mein-Hub Manager

"Stranger things have happened"

Clearly our opinions are not entirely similar. That's also a good thing in a community. Everybody can get something from the opinions of the colleagues. So, believe me, I do understand the fundamentals of your opinion. I even agree.

But, apparently, my explanation about liveries when online was not successful. Let me reformulate : whichever colour/livery your plane has on your own pilot screen (even rough zinc or aluminium like in the production plants), it can/will become a WWA livery to the eyes of any other online pilot,  if you configure your interface (FSInn or your Squawkbox) adequatly (and if other pilots do the same, which is the rule). So, this is no exception to your vision of things and we, online flyers, badly in need of FMC/CDU's, RW routes, SID's, STAR's  and so much more, get what we wish/need. Ask Mike Gibbs, how hard that was for him when he was flying online from Amsterdam on RW routes, SID's and STAR's with non FMC equipped aircraft.

See, the two opinions are NOT contradictory.

The airline encourage online flying ? Very wise decision ! But to do that we need the technical means. And by the way, with those planes, we take the realism of simulation to an (almost) maximum (for a PC). Another thing that the airline encourage, I think.

I, of course, also agree on the other qualities of our beloved airline, that you mentioned above. Long life to Westwind.

Philippe Bleus

Senior Comd Capt - EHAM - Almost 2000 registered hours with WWAL - 100 hours+ on Level-D 763

 

Philippe,

The EC is discussing the matter.  I'll get back to you......thank you for your patience.

Warm Regards,

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EHAM-YSSY B772LR

Sure, KIm, thanks a lot!

Philippe

Perhaps.It may be a good time to learn the fine art of texture repainting?

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Randy Donnelly
AHM KSLC

Passengers prefer old captains and young flight attendants.

On the matter of painting,i myself would love to get into painting aircraft,but,at this time in the finacial world,i dont have the cabbage for a good photo editing program.Ive searched and really havent found a free one with the capability of doing good paints.If anyone knows of one yell at me and ide be thrilled to try paining aircraft. 

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Scott Jones
WWA2062
Assistant Hub Manager KJFK
Sr.Capt
Monster Driver

 I've found the tools are not much different than the price of a fine payware aircraft! In a totally volunteer society, it is expecting a substantial amount for one to devote a great deal of their time and effort to the cause. What is required is a collective system.  Seems  this subject could be greatly resolved with the introduction of texture repainters. Are there any volunteers? Now for a spin on the subject. Why repaint FSX aircraft when soon FS "whatever" will be out and It may be a different format?? Then you will have a 1000 FS "whatevers" screaming they want their favorite payware plane repainted along with the FSXers.

 More questions that answers!! MS had to fix something that wasn't broke! Thats another subject. I understand everyones position and sure would like to help if I could. Number one I do not and will not own FSX.  I will have  FS "whatever", I've always skipped a generation. The last two days I've been out of the cockpit studying texture repainting. I finally found a PSS 757 paint kit. It's a steep learning curve though not unachievable. I may have a couple questions for Bob. A couple hunded that is!! If I could give some advice to the younger sim hobbiest amoung us. Learn texture repainting. It would be a very rewarding indevere.

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Randy Donnelly
AHM KSLC

Passengers prefer old captains and young flight attendants.

Randy Donnelly:

I may have a couple questions for Bob. A couple hunded that is!! If I could give some advice to the younger sim hobbiest amoung us. Learn texture repainting. It would be a very rewarding indevere.

Sorry...I don't paint aircraft. That is Kim Stolt. There may be a few others that paint, although not officially. They may be able to answer your questions I do scenery only.

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Bob S.
Senior Command Captain
E.V.P. Scenery