8 Nov 2010
New Candidates – Please join me in welcoming these fine new candidates to the line:
Mark – memer921 – UAL934
Ben – USMCSnipes2 – UAL695
Jacob – kansascitypilot - UAL403
United Regional status and update – Thank you to everyone that has flown not only in the BVA anniversary, but also over the last few events overall. There has been a lot of promising activity recently and while it may seem a bit disjointed, even when we are disjointed we are STILL the premiere jet airline operation on BVA. Keep your standards up, keep training, and keep flying. During last Thursday’s regional event we successfully overloaded ZBW for the first time since June, and that is a testament not only to the planning of the new cadre of Captains, but also to the number of pilots UALR is able to put in the air. Kudos to all. Keep it up!
United Regional Gates – As described in the SOP, UALR flights are to depart and arrive at the official United terminal. But in particular, UALR flights are to depart and arrive at official UALR GATES as well. You’ll notice for instance that the KBOS Charlie Concourse has many terminals and gates – of which only gates C11-21 are UALR gates. Please brush up on your terminal and gate usage as there have been a handful of flights using improper gating. There are two reasons for this ruling: (1) to preserve our hell bent attitude towards maintaining the highest possible level of realism, and (2) so that we can all benefit from the enhanced sim experience of having fellow UALR aircraft parked around you on departure and arrival. That is, after all, the whole point of UALR… to operate as a team, not just as individuals. It’s a pleasant reminder of that, and an enhanced sim experience to see your team in proper colors all around you at the gates.
Most jetports in the New England airspace do not have official gates. However, three of UALR’s hub destinations do. For most jetports you can use the general parking area. However, please note the following official UALR gates for these hub airports.
KBOS: C11 – 21
KJFK: B1-12
KBDL: G11 - 16
Published Visual Arrivals – Recently there was some feedback from ZBW that UALR pilots are rejecting using the published visual arrival when requested, or indicating that they don’t know what it is. A published visual arrival is an approach chart that shows a specific set of procedures and visual landmarks to utilize for an approach. Commonly used published visual arrivals include the Parkway Visual at JFK, the Light Arrival at KBOS, and the River Arrival at KPWM. Please take a moment to review these charts. They can be found in the usual place on Airnav.com. When a UALR pilot is requested to fly a published visual arrival, the proper response is “Roger, wilco.” The proper response is not “Huh?”
Promotions and Training - As a reminder, and especially for new pilots, UALR works on the checkride system. In order to advance to the next level the number of hours you have flown will not be relevant. What is relevant is the ability to meet certain qualification skills that are spelled out in the SOP and the Welcome Kit. Please alert your group leader if you need an updated copy of the SOP/Welcome Kit. While trainers are encouraged to seek out candidates who need training flights, the ambitious candidate should not wait for someone to contact them for flights. They should seek out a company officer or trainer and work to schedule time with those folks in order to learn the skills you need to pass the checkride. Recently I’ve noticed a preponderance of candidates who are languishing around when they should be advancing through the system. UALR functions best, and pilots will have the most fun (and respect) when they move through the training system at a steady pace. If you feel that you are not getting enough attention from the company officers/trainers please alert the Chief Pilot at Skype user ID Splonedog.
Flight Officers to Captains – UALR also has a number of Flight Officers who should also be working towards their CaptQual. Remember, Captains are the backbone and leadership of United Regional and new Captains are always welcome and needed. Flight Officers who are also not in the CaptQual program who want to be should also alert the Chief Pilot via Skype.
Flight Officer’s conference – We haven’t had a flight officer’s conference scheduled in quite some time, and perhaps it’s time for one to happen as a team building event. We could use some building of the team! We are considering an afternoon at KPHL for FMC training on the ERJ, and hold pattern training in the CRJ, and perhaps even some formation flying. Perhaps within the month, and perhaps over Thanksgiving weekend. Please send back any thoughts or suggestions or reactions to the idea.
Entrance Exam – There has been some discussion of having a United Regional entrance exam for new candidates. For the moment that idea won’t be pursued. However it brings up an interesting question… How many existing UALR pilots would pass such an exam? Lets experiment.
What follows below is the Nov 2010 edition of the UALR Proficiency and General Knowledge Exam. See how well you do! Answers will be posted in the next OpNote. Enjoy, and good luck!
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United Regional
General Knowledge and Proficiency Exam – November 2010
1. The UALR prime directive states:
a. All UALR aircraft must fly company paint.
b. There is to be no outside interference with the development of other civilizations or cultures.
c. No flights are to be conducted in uncontrolled airspace.
d. All UALR flights should enter their flight number on flight desk as UALRxxx, not UALxxx.
2. ZBW_C, ACK_A, and BDL_T are currently online. Which of the following jetports is NOT an authorized UALR destination?
a. KBOS
b. KAVP
c. KPWM
d. KISP
3. Which of the following is not an official UALR gate?
a. KBOS - C17
b. KJFK - B1
c. KACK parking medium
d. KBDL - D3
4. A friend of yours who currently flies with Cape Air has expressed an interest in joining United Regional. You should:
a. Send them the recruiting kit
b. Connect them with a company officer for an orientation flight
c. Refer the pilot to the UALR Chief Pilot who will contact their counterpart at Cape Air and alert them of the pilot’s interest in UALR.
d. A and B only
5. A UALR Flight Officer is authorized to operate which of the following aircraft?
a. E145
b. CRJ7
c. MD11
d. A and B only
6. Which of the following is NOT a requirement for passing the Flight Officer’s checkride?
a. Hands on flight below 10,000 feet
b. Locating a waypoint via VOR triangulation
c. Proper aircraft lighting use
d. PAX management and error free interaction with ATC
7. The first duty of a UALR pilot is to:
a. Operate the aircraft safely and accurately from gate to gate without impinging on the BVA system
b. Spill no passenger’s drinks
c. Monitor Skype frequently
d. Follow all the UALR rules and regulations.
8. A training pip is earned by:
a. Recruiting a new member to UALR
b. Training a pilot who subsequently passes their FO or CaptQual checkride
c. Passing your Flight Officer’s checkride
d. Serving as company dispatcher on a Regional Thursday event
9. The following are approved methods of recruiting a new pilot to the line:
a. Recruiting pilots from Cape Air
b. Messaging 5 people per day on Flight Desk
c. Posting in the BVA forums
d. Chatting with players on GameSpy
10. If you encounter incidents of cyberbullying you should:
a. Self police. Contact those persons involved and let them know their behavior is unacceptable.
b. Alert a company officer
c. Contact Evan
d. Depending on the severity of the situation, all of the above
11. UALR pilots are expected to fly:
a. Every Thursday Night
b. In every BVA regional circuit
c. Once per month
d. As often as possible
12. A pilot who is furloughed is a pilot who :
a. Hasn’t flown in a regional circuit
b. Hasn’t flown in a UALR Regional Thursday event in more than one month
c. Has been released from United Regional due to non-participation
d. Doesn’t check their Skype messages
13. Which of the following is NOT an approved company paint package?
a. E190 flying UAL colors
b. CRJ7 flying UALR colors
c. E145 flying Continental colors
d. B737 flying UALR colors
14. In UALR, charts should be:
a. On a separate screen on your computer, or on a separate laptop computer
b. Available on your Iphone
c. Printed and filed in a 3 ring binder
d. In a pile on your desk within reach
15. Which of the following is a proper setup for active NAV and COM for a UALR flight departing from KBOS to KACK?
a. NAV1 = 112.7 | NAV2= 112.7 | COM1 = 121.9 | COM2 = 124.52
b. NAV1 = 112.7 | NAV2= 112.7 | COM1 = 124.52 | COM2 = 121.9
c. NAV1 = 112.7 | NAV2= 110.3 | COM1 = 124.52 | COM2 = 122.95
d. NAV1 = 112.7 | NAV2= 116.2 | COM1 = 122.90 | COM2 = 124.52
16. UALR Dispatch is issued by:
a. A pdf file sent over Skype by the Chief Pilot
b. A message sent to each pilot via Skype from your group leader
c. Checking the online dispatch ticket after 7PM EST on Thursday nights
d. Checking the BVA United Regional webpage
17. The maximum term of service for the Chief Pilot and Executive Officer is:
a. 1 year
b. 2 years
c. 4 years if voted so by the Captains
d. As long as they are performing satisfactorily
18. VAFS is…
a. A required software tool for all United Regional pilots to track their flight hours
b. Contrary to the objectives of UALR and is not used
c. In the works. Should be ready by springtime
d. Exclusively used by Cape Air and therefore cannot be used at UALR
19. Training of new candidates at UALR is:
a. Like blood is to a human
b. Second only to flying in terms of importance
c. Provided when a candidate requests it
d. Contracted out to the Share the Cockpit program
20. Active Sky and/or REX..
a. Should be switched off by all UALR pilots since it creates conflicts
b. Is encouraged since it enhances the experience and boosts realism
c. Is paid for by United Regional Corporate
d. Should be hacked from freeware and added whenever possible.
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