Future of GC?

[GTI1643]

Hey, I was just wondering what are the future plans for this VA...are there any plans being worked on?

[mlegein]

Hey, I was just wondering what are the future plans for this VA...are there any plans being worked on?

Yes there are.

[Joe Clark]

Care to elaborate?

[nwadc10]

There are *always* plans being worked on regardless of how active we appear (or don't appear) to the general membership. Myself and others spend many hours each week working on the VA whether it's keeping current items up to date or projects for the future.

It is my belief that a VA will fail when progress ceases. Therefore one of managements core values (along with more common values such as quality over quantity with regards to pilots) is to always move forward, if even at a snail pace. GCVA is very much a work in progress and for as far as I can see will always be like that. I started with this VA 4 1/2 years ago, just a couple of days after it opened its doors. The landscape of GC is dramatically different compared to back then (even the name is different) which is due entirely to this core value I speak of.

I have committed myself to doing my best to keep the main page up-to-date with current news and NOTAMs as I've heard on a few occassions that some thought GC had become an inactive VA because that page was rarely updated. Sometimes it's because we are so busy with projects to improve the VA that the main page got neglected.

To elaborate, hmm. Some items of course I can't speak of for certain reasons but I'll mention some of the others that we are currently working on:
1. As you should have seen on the main page and the forum, the Hall of Fame program is being reinstated.
2. A GC event will be held in November, much of the planning will be completed this weekend and we will be working to make it a monthly event at minimum.
3. We will be adding a test to upgrade to captain (no more "free" upgrades) of which details will come later. There will be no more upgrades until the new system is complete sometime next month.
4. We will start offering some training, starting with Cat 2 and Cat 3 but this is not finalized yet.
5. I have a healthy start on GCFM which will allow whoever wishes to complete the training to not only be a GC pilot but can also be GC dispatcher. GCFM will be a very unique program and will include some real world information that nobody else has access to. Dispatcher training will be provided by a real Polar Air Cargo dispatcher. As I make a little more progress on the program I'll start issuing previews. GCFM is modelled after the program that the real Polar dispatch office uses.

Our gears are always turning, thinking of the next thing we can do to give you the tools to operate a flight as realistically as you can. Such an item is producing deicing procedures including a minimum time to sit and wait, simulating the deicing of the aircraft as well as providing Hold Over Tables. We have many other ideas that may or may not be realized.

[GTI1643]

Great to hear! can't wait to see what is in store...personally out of all the VAs out there this is the most realistic i have come across...the others may have fancy programs but GCVA has pilots who know how to fly and know there planes inside out ( i hope lol )

[E6BAV8R]

While we're somewhat on the topic, any dates in mind for Applications to re-open?

Sorry to bother, but I'm dying over here!

Greg

[mlegein]

While we're somewhat on the topic, any dates in mind for Applications to re-open?

Sorry to bother, but I'm dying over here!

Greg

Patience.
We are introducing some changes and publishing a revised Pilot Manual. Once everything is updated, we will reopen the apps. Should not be much longer.

[Brogs]

Seems the only thing missing is Paying Customers and Wages !

[Joe Clark]

Who says that isn't to come?

[James1979]

You've sure grown since I've been away