Hi guys,
My name is Keith Smith, I'm the founder and developer of PilotEdge.
Here's what we're looking for. In general terms:
- we're looking for aviators (either present or past) who have access to and are familiar with FS9, FSX or X-Plane.
- real world experience with a specific list of airframes is not required. The level of specificity does not really go beyond fixed-wing or helicopters. That said, the final package that we assemble will have a variety of airframes. Pilots should select the ones with which they are most comfortable, assuming they are available on their selected simulation platform.
- pilots will be required to comply with ATC instructions and interact with ATC, much as they would in the real world
- pilots will be required to be familiar with USN/USMC procedures and phraseology as they apply ATC exchanges
- operations will generally focus around:
- picking up an IFR clearance (or VFR departure instructions)
- taxiing from the ramp to the specific runway, complying with the assigned taxiways
- taking off and being handed over to TRACON/RAPCON/Center
- being sequenced for recovery by TRACON/RAPCON/Tower
- land and taxi back to the ramp
- working either as a single ship, or in a formation
- the goal here is to demonstrate to the DoD that this can be a powerful platform for training their controllers and helping them maintain proficiency. You guys will be providing real-time, human-powered traffic for the controllers. Should we secure a contract, there will be an opportunity to do this on a compensated, and regularly-scheduled basis.
To the specifics of how to participate, then:
- Interested pilots will register on the PE site and download the software for their simulator of choice (FS9, FSX, or X-Plane) (Note: the installation process for FS9/X is somewhat cumbersome right now. This will change by mid next week as we release a dedicated installer tool that does most of the work.
- as soon as practical, pilots should install, configure and test their installations at their leisure, ensuring they can see other aircraft and that their audio configuration is operational.
- with those tasks done, and a suitable number of pilots reporting that they are ready to go, we will nominate a date/time (to suit the availability of the largest number of pilots) and conduct a simple launch and recovery exercise, without a specific airframe/package list.
- based on those results, we will start becoming more specific about the operations being conducted and assembling a package that closely resembles what we would deliver for the customer in the future
- compensation will not be provided for these phases, however, under no circumstances will selected pilots be asked to pay to use the network. Note: the network itself is available right now to the public without charge while it is still under development. Once it launches in the relatively near future, that's when the subscription service will begin. Again, though, pilots taking part in this program will have the subscription charges waived, and will have carte blanche access to the network if they wish to use it outside of the exercises.
In short, pilots need to be able to operate their selected airframe with reasonable competence on the network, interact with ATC over the radio (this means you need a headset for your PC/Mac), and be able to comply with ATC instructions. Should we secure a deal with our customer, selected pilots will then be compensated for their time from that point on. In the mean time, the network will be available for your use (either for the exercises, exercise preparation, or simply at your discretion) at no charge.
Lastly, to answer the VATSIM question, yes, there are similarities in the sense that PE and VATSIM provide ATC to pilots flying simulators. Beyond that, though, the differences stack up quickly. The operation that we are conducting here would be a complete non-starter on VATSIM.
We'll continue to coordinate here on this forum for now. If the volume of messages becomes troublesome, or if either PE or the Airwarriors forum moderators feel it would be best to work with the selected pilots elsewhere, then we will establish a private area within the PE forums for the interactions to continue.
We're really excited to work with you guys, the response has been encouraging so far. It was my hope that we would find a way to get in touch with military aviators to conduct these operations (rather than civilian enthusiasts, such as myself, trying to wing it).
