13 Nov 2010
Furlough returns – Please join me in welcoming Javier (UAL221) and Jacksam (UAL436) back from furlough.
Skype ON – UALR pilots please remember to turn Skype ON whenever your computer is on so that you can receive updates and messages. At the very least, remember to check Skype often.
Also, UALR is ramping back up to a healthy number of active pilots, and it is encouraged for everyone to add each other as contacts. The dispatch ticket will always list the Skype ID’s of all active members, and you are encouraged to add all these ID’s and communicate with other pilots often. These pilots are your colleagues and teammates and communication between pilots will enhance your experience.
United Regional Thursday Nov 12 – Awesome, just awesome. It seems that combining a UALR Thursday with a Pack the Pattern Event is the way to go for a serious night of flying. At peak we counted 13 United Regional flights in operation at one time. The KPHL approach controller sends this note along to the gang:
[11/11/2010 11:35:20 PM] PHL_A: Overload indeed! For the first time in forever for me, I was telling pilots, namely your United pilots, that they were number 5, 6, 7 or even 8 for the airport.
Congratulations team on a job well done!
_______________________________________________________________________
United Regional
General Knowledge and Proficiency Exam – November 2010 - Answers
1. The UALR prime directive states:
a. All UALR aircraft must fly company paint. – True, but not the Prime Directive
b. There is to be no outside interference with the development of other civilizations or cultures. - True, but only for Star Fleet Academy graduates
c. No flights are to be conducted in uncontrolled airspace. – Correct. The prime directive states that all UALR flights are to take place within a controlled airspace. This is the rule that allows UALR to exist in BVA. Due to bad experiences in the past, a jet powered virtual airline is expressly forbidden on BVA. History has shown that jet VA’s – (and especially those using VAFS) end up wanting to fly longer hauls, and end up taking traffic away from ZBW controllers. In order for BVA to function best and grow, what’s good for pilots MUST be good for controllers as well. There is nothing more annoying to a controller than to have zero traffic, while watching airliners crisscross globe outside of their airspace. We will not allow this to happen at UALR. Period.
d. All UALR flights should enter their flight number on flight desk as UALRxxx, not UALxxx. – Not True. This was an experimental idea that was shot down in flames by ZBW within 15 minutes of it being tried.
2. ZBW_C, ACK_A, and BDL_T are currently online. Which of the following jetports are NOT an authorized UALR destination?
a. KBOS -
b. KAVP – Correct. Since ZBW is the only center that is online in this example, all UALR flights must be within ZBW controlled airspace. KAVP is the only destination from the list that is not within ZBW.
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 – The official UALR gates at KBDL are gates G11-22
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 – This is a reasonable answer, and you may send recruiting kits to them, but is not the best answer. Anytime a pilot from another BVA airline is involved, get the UALR Chief Pilot or XO involved. Consider it a professional courtesy.
b. Connect them with a company officer for an orientation flight – While this might seem like the right thing to do, it is not. An orientation flight is the entry point for a UALR candidate to enter the training pipeline, and a this may not occur without permission from their current airline’s Chief Pilot. Any other course of action is considered poaching.
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. – This is the correct answer. Pilots recruited from official BVA airlines such as Cape Air or Jet Blue must be approved to join both by the UALR Chief Pilot, and the previous airline’s Chief Pilot. Usually this is not a problem, and checking with the outgoing Chief Pilot first is a professional courtesy.
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 – Correct. Flight Officers are not authorized to operate medium or long range airliners. The MD11 is considered medium range and therefore is a Captain’s aircraft.
6. Which of the following is NOT a requirement for passing the Flight Officer’s checkride?
a. Hands on flight below 10,000 feet – Correct. The Flight Officer’s checkride requires hands on operation for take off and landing only, not for ALL flight below 10,000 feet. The CaptQual does require hands on operation below 10,000 feet, but the FO checkride does not.
b. Locating a waypoint via VOR triangulation – Absoutely a requirement for FO
c. Proper aircraft lighting use – also a requirement. See OpNote 012 or UALR SOP for details.
d. PAX management and error free interaction with ATC – Missing more than one ATC instruction over com is an automatic fail on the FO checkride.
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 – While this is true, it is not the first duty of a UALR pilot.
b. Spill no passenger’s drinks – Also true, but not the first duty.
c. Monitor Skype frequently – Correct. Monitoring and responding to Skype messages is at the very core of what we do, and is the first duty of a UALR pilot. You cannot participate in UALR with Skype and without being responsive on Skype. In fact, new pilots can consider adding Skype to be their application for admission. No Skype? No UALR. Simple.
d. Follow all the UALR rules and regulations. – Also true, but again not the best answer.
8. A training pip is earned by:
a. Recruiting a new member to UALR – This used to be true, but per OpNote011 the requirement was modified.
b. Training a pilot who subsequently passes their FO or CaptQual checkride – Correct. Training pips are awarded to the trainer of a candidate who passes their FO checkride and/or CaptQual.
c. Passing your Flight Officer’s checkride – Incorrect. A FO earns instead a set of UALR wings upon passing their checkride.
d. Serving as company dispatcher on a Regional Thursday event – No awards other than a warm fuzzy feeling are given for serving as dispatcher.
9. The following are approved methods of recruiting a new pilot to the line:
a. Recruiting pilots from Cape Air – No. This is considered poaching.
b. Messaging 5 people per day on Flight Desk – No. This is considered annoying.
c. Posting in the BVA forums – No. Only the Chief Pilot or XO may post recruiting messages in the forums.
d. Chatting with players on GameSpy – Correct. You may recruit all you like from other servers on Gamespy, and that is in fact an excellent way to find candidates to train towards earning a ruby training pip.
10. If you encounter incidents of cyberbullying you should:
a. Self police. Contact those persons involved and let them know their behavior is unacceptable. – generally, yes but not the best answer.
b. Alert a company officer
c. Contact Evan
d. Depending on the severity of the situation, all of the above – Correct. While self policing is the preferred route, there may be incidents requiring bouncing it up to a company officer or even Evan. When in doubt, consult your group leader.
11. UALR pilots are expected to fly:
a. Every Thursday Night – This is encouraged, and you will have the most fun if you fly each Thursday night via dispatch, but it is not mandatory.
b. In every BVA regional circuit – also encouraged and tons of fun, but not also mandatory
c. Once per month – true, and missing a month worth of flying leads to furloughs, but still not the correct answer.
d. As often as possible – Correct. No one will be forced to fly, and certainly there are other activities in life of importance. Fly when you can as often as you can. But again, you will have the best experience if you fly in group events with your team.
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 – Correct. UALR pilots should fly as often as they can, but not flying in over a month is a sign of disinterest and will lead to furloughs and possibly being dropped from the dispatch.
c. Has been released from United Regional due to non-participation – While a pilot may be released for non-participation, that is not the definition of a furlough.
d. Doesn’t check their Skype messages
13. Which of the following is NOT an approved company paint package?
a. E190 flying UAL colors – The E190 is considered medium range, and therefore should fly the new UAL merger colors. Paint packages reflecting the new merger colors are being created all the time from add-on manufacturers.
b. CRJ7 flying UALR colors – There is a custom United Regional paint package available and all CRJ7’s should fly those custom colors. The update is available from your group leader, and will be posted on BVA downloads shortly.
c. E145 flying Continental colors – Approved during the merger aircraft repaint process. Once UALR colors are available for the Embraer series jets, old Continental and United colors will be disallowed.
d. B737 flying UALR colors – correct. The B737 is considered a medium range jet, and medium range jets should fly the new United merger paint, not the UALR paint. Only RJ’s should fly the UALR custom paint package.
14. In UALR, charts should be:
a. On a separate screen on your computer, or on a separate laptop computer – While this does work, and may pilots do this, it is not the best answer.
b. Available on your Iphone – also not the best answer
c. Printed and filed in a 3 ring binder – Correct. Pilots are encouraged to start their chart collection early, and separate each airports set of charts with tabs. This will make it easy to find charts in a hurry. One of the hallmarks of a Untied Regional pilot is speed and efficiency, and in particular with regard to finding data from charts. Fumbling around for charts in a pile somewhere, or managing computer screens can lead to missed ATC instructions, aircraft control problems, and general unprofessional-ness. UALR officers should have a healthy obsession with charts. Study them, scribble on them, love them. They will love you back.
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 – Incorrect. 124.52 is ZBW_C and center should never be on COM2
b. NAV1 = 112.7 | NAV2= 112.7 | COM1 = 124.52 | COM2 = 121.9 – Correct. Note that the BOS VOR is loaded on both NAV1 and NAV2 in preparation for an outbound radial intercept – likely to FREDO per the company route to ACK. Note also that ZBW is loaded properly onto COM1 where in-flight frequencies belong, and that BOS Ground is loaded on COM2 where ground frequencies belong per the UALR SOP.
c. NAV1 = 112.7 | NAV2= 110.3 | COM1 = 124.52 | COM2 = 122.95 – Incorrect. NAV1 and NAV2 should both be loaded to KBOS in this example for proper radial intercept outbound to FREDO
d. NAV1 = 112.7 | NAV2= 116.2 | COM1 = 122.90 | COM2 = 124.52 – Incorrect. Again NAV1 and NAV2 should be the same frequency, and again center should never be on COM2
16. UALR Dispatch is issued by:
a. A pdf file sent over Skype by the Chief Pilot – This is the previous method of releasing dispatch
b. A message sent to each pilot via Skype from your group leader – While this would be nice, logistics often prevents this and it should not be relied upon.
c. Checking the online dispatch ticket after 7PM EST on Thursday nights – Correct. UALR pilots should expect dispatch to be ready by 7PM EST and be able to check the online dispatch page for their routes Thursday nights all by themselves - without even being told!
d. Checking the BVA United Regional webpage – While a UALR webpage is in the works and will likely eventually host dispatch information, it is not here yet and therefore not the best answer.
17. The maximum term of service for the Chief Pilot and Executive Officer is:
a. 1 year
b. 2 years – Correct.
c. 4 years if voted so by the Captains – Incorrect. The two year max is a firm requirement.
d. As long as they are performing satisfactorily – Incorrect. Even if the Chief and/or XO are performing well, the purpose here is to allow new talent and fresh ideas to come into the group.
18. VAFS is…
a. A required software tool for all United Regional pilots to track their flight hours – Incorrect. UALR does not use VAFS.
b. Contrary to the objectives of UALR and is not used – Correct. Our objective is not to fly the most number of hours possible, nor to promote because of hours. Our objective is to operate as a team with precision and efficiency and skill. VASF is counter productive to that goal.
c. In the works. Should be ready by springtime – Not.
d. Exclusively used by Cape Air and therefore cannot be used at UALR – Incorrect. VASF is available if we chose to use it, but again it is contrary to the objectives of UALR.
19. Training of new candidates at UALR is:
a. Like blood is to a human – Correct. UALR will never not train new candidates. Our training orientation is what makes us strong, keeps us stocked with new pilots, and keeps members interested and challenged.
b. Second only to flying in terms of importance
c. Provided when a candidate requests it – While training is provided when requested, UALR mentors and trainers will also seek out candidates who are ready for promotion and work with them.
d. Contracted out to the Share the Cockpit program – Incorrect. STC has contracted with UALR to train candidates, not visa versa.
20. Active Sky and/or REX..
a. Should be switched off by all UALR pilots since it creates conflicts – Incorrect. While Active Sky does create conflicts in a shared aircraft, it should be employed whenever possible in non-shared flights.
b. Is encouraged since it enhances the experience and boosts realism – Correct. In particular, REX dramatically enhances your graphics and will dramatically improve your flight sim experience.
c. Is paid for by United Regional Corporate – I wish.
Should be hacked from freeware and added whenever possible. – Incorrect. UALR and BVA both disallow the use of
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