Welcome to our first Globe Cargo Virtual Airlines Semi-Annual update!
As we are currently 3 weeks into the 2Q of 2021, I wanted to take the opportunity to update the flight department on some of the recent changes we have made and where we plan on taking the virtual airline in the future. Communication and bringing information of value to the pilots is something that I strive to do. However I don't want to inundate you all with useless and redundant information, I believe an update every 6 months is a great interval as enough time will pass between updates to make them informative.
COVID-19 AFFECT
We have seen a slight reduction in pirep activity, but this is most likely due to COVID-19 recovery and we believe this is a good thing! To us it means the world is getting back to normal, people are getting back to work, hanging out with friends and traveling. While you do so please continue to be safe, take measured precaution and take care of yourselves! GCVA appreciates all the hard-work and your continued support.
OUR WEBSITE
In Q1 of this year we rolled out our new website and Shaun and the website team has done an amazing job and I hope that you have all enjoyed the website as much as we do. It was long over due and it represents a new GCVA. Over the course of the year we have and will continue to roll out new features. Most recently we have launched the internal staff and project volunteer manager. Our pilots will now be able to view a list of our current projects and if they see a project they like they can apply to join that project as a collaborator. GCVA is a community and we wanted to make it easier for you to find ways to contribute.
FLIGHT DEPARTMENT ENHANCEMENTS
The GCVA Flight Department is getting a major refresh as part of our Phase 2 overhaul. Over the past few weeks i've begun working on documentation, checklist and pilot resources. This is a monumental task, but progress is being made. I am confident that you will all be happy with the end result.
We rolled out a Part 121 inspired dispatch program thanks to our resident dispatcher Joseph Pollock. A lot of time and resources went into this program so I encourage you to use it. We are the only Virtual Airline that has modeled this as close to FAR 121 as virtually possible, and it will undoubtably enhance your virtual pilot experience. Joe has a list of further enhancements so what you see is essentially a foundation and that is exciting news!
Maintenance Flights are coming soon! We are always looking for ways to enhance every aspect of our virtual airline and to our new pilots we simulate an active virtual maintenance department. Not intrested in a long flight? Well how about taking a 747 up to 25,000 feet to test the pressurization system or swing it around in the pattern for CAT III auto-land checks. These are some of the flights you will be able to conduct soon.
We understand that seniority does not play a huge role in operations right now and we are exploring ways of improving on that system. More on that in the future, but just know we are looking to improve this as well!
EXPERIENCE POINTS FOQA AND TYPE RATINGS
This is very much in the early stages of development but it is undoubtably coming along nicely. We want our pilots to actually strive for goals and have an incentive to fly. Soon you will be able to gain experience points than can be used internally for GCVA branded items, gift cards and bonus flights. We are taking our time with this one, because we want it to be worth it!
With the roll out of experience points we will also implement FOQA for those who are not aware FOQA stands for Flight Operations Quality and Assurance. This is just one extra step GCVA is taking to enhance the realism factor for our pilots. More information will be released as these programs become more of a reality.
We plan on rolling out (2) Type rating programs the 747 and the 777. Once this is in a more advanced stage. I will make a dedicated post on how this program will work.
TRAINING CENTER ENHANCEMENTS
We are currently exploring options to give our training center a new look, make it more organized and easier to use. This will happen very soon, and is a matter of hammering out the details.
WHY GLOBE CARGO VIRTUAL
Since our inception GCVA has strived to make our operations as real as possible. There are a lot of Virtual Airlines to choose from and they are all great in their own right, but being a part of this virtual airline you should be proud as its not as easy as filling out a form and then flying. We have always took a quality over quantity approach and as such our pilot roster is not very large. The product we offer here is niche.
We have took the approach we have taken in the past by periodically closing applications, and only accepting pilots based on the needs, growth and operational fit of our virtual airline. In short we have become more selective. We want pilots that want to be here.
Again Thank You! for choosing GCVA as your home. We are excited for the accomplishments we have made and the accomplishments yet to come. As always my office is open you can easily find me on Discord, and don't forget we are running the PMDG DC-6 contest. We hope to do more of these in the future, because we appreciate all that you do to contribute to the success of this virtual airline.
Vice President Flight Operations
