To: {PILOT_FNAME} {PILOT_LNAME},

To: ALL RAVN ALASKA VIRTUAL PILOTS

From: Ravn Alaska Virtual Staff



Ravn Alaska Virtual has made some changes recently. Here are the new changes:

1) Ravn Alaska Virtual is almost done working through the name change. As of 1/1/2015, you will no longer see anything on our site to reference the old Era Virtual Airways (except for the website address). We always push to mirror the real airline as much as possible and this is the last section to move us to completely mirror them. All callsigns have been switched on the website to reflect the Ravn callsign of RVF. Please note the changes for login and pirep logging.

2) VATSIM. Well what can we say....they are always out to make it more difficult for VAs to keep their airline registered. We are trying our best to remain an active VA on their list but we need your help. We ask everyone to help us by logging their flights online through the VATSIM network as well as with our Acars client. If you logging your flight in VATSIM, please notate that in the comments section of your pirep for reference. With 100+ members, we are required to have 15 people minimum flying regularly in VATSIM. We know that most people don’t strive to use VATSIM, purely because they are afraid or intimidated by having to talk to a controller....please don't feel intimidated. Unless you fly into/around the Anchorage or Fairbanks airports, while a controller is active, they will usually ignore you as most times Alaska pilots fly VFR. Alaska controllers are usually only on in the afternoon or late night so most users may see that when they logon, there may be no controller. We just hope that more users would like to utilize the VATSIM logging as another means of realism and multiplayer enjoyment.

3) Checkflight System- We sees many are utilizing this new program to help broaden the experience through real-life style progression through the ranks. IF you have any questions or issues, please don’t hesitate to contact a staff/hub manager for assistance.

4) Transfer hours- The system was recently changed that pertains to how many hours can be transferred from another VA. The old setup put a max transfer limit to 40hrs. The new limit will remain the same only with one added stipulation...those hours being reviewed for transfer may not have been obtained in an aircraft larger than the C130. Why? The reason is simple...many users tend to join VAs that offer large aircraft (757, 747, etc) that are designed for long hauls. Many users build large amounts of hours by simply using the autopilot from large airports to other large airports. In Alaska...the airport sizes are much smaller and thus the aircraft are smaller. Being able to fly the 757 on 8hr legs doesn't necessary mean that the same pilot is proficient in the B1900 on 4000ft runways. Thus we added the stipulation that only hours logged in aircraft smaller than a C130 may be considered for transfer hours. All questions/concerns may be expressed by emailing the COO or CRO for more details.

5) The Standard Operations Manual (SOP) is being updated with the new additions and will be available shortly. Stay tuned for the announcement when it is ready.

6) SmartCars- Despite the sleek design, the SmartCars pirep system has recently had some issues. Most notably the error message when submitting a pireps indicated the pirep didn't log or can’t communicate with the server. Tech support is working on this issue and will have a solution soon. Note that even though it may say that the pirep didn’t log, we assure you that it has logged just fine. The error message is being displayed for no reason at all. We apologize for the inconvenience. If the error message continues, please note that there is a kAcars pirep system custom designed for us in the downloads section for you to try as well.


7) With Alabeo/Carenado releasing the C207 for use, we are processing the new changes to the schedule. As with the real airline, their fleet utilizes the C207 heavily. Now that this aircraft has been released as a payware aircraft, we are switching the schedule to mirror the real airline by switching the C206 routes back to the C207 routes. For those using the C206, that aircraft is still going to be approved as a substitute for the C207. Please notate the changes in the schedules in the upcoming weeks.

End NOTAM.

Thank you for your patience and time regarding the new changes.

-Ravn Alaska Virtual Staff

They are in the works. We should have more routes being switched over daily. We will notify everyone when the switch is complete.

Notice to all pilots-
Ravn Alaska Virtual is pleased to announce that the last of our Cessna 206Gs have been "sold off" and we are in the process of finalizing the last purchases of our Cessna 207A fleet. Keep your eyes peeled as you see more routes appear for the new aircraft!