What about a more "financial" model for AirChild ?

Cedric Bandelier · Aug 9, 2011

Hi,
First of all thanks so much for "founding" such a great VA !!!
I'm now over 1000 points, and really proud to be a member of this nice company !!!

Looking forward to have a more and more realistic company I ask if there is any plan (I though that there is something under work...) to include a financial aspect in the company: for example a "real" fuel plan, more points if fueling is near perfect, inability to modify passengers number or timing of the flights, impossibility to move from one place to another (ex: you made a flight from LSGG to EDDK, the next flight you need to take-off from EDDK....or buy a "ticket" (points as credit ??) to go back to LSGG and start a new flight from here...if any aircraft is available).....etc.....
A bit like FSairlines.net....
I understand: it's certainly very complicated...but I'd love a more "career" VA with some clear restrictions for a more immersive simulation.

Again thanks for everything !

Cedric

Christian Neumann · Aug 9, 2011

Sorry Cedric,
I would not appreciate more or stronger regulations for the pilots or to force the financial (virtual) aspect. I fear, the volume of flights will be reduced artificially, if you can't no longer book and fly whatever whenever you want to.
I feel great being part of a comunity, that collects donations just on conducting our hobby.
Many regards

Cedric Bandelier · Aug 9, 2011

Hi Christian,

Mmmhhh, you're partly right, but I was thinking of a special "career mod" for pilots who wants to use it. It should not be obligatory but only "available" for those who wants.
Actually (and it's not my first VA experience) I have the sensation that there is no real PIREP controls (am I wrong ? ;-) , too much opportunity to do "wathever you want" with your PIREP, and also no fueling control / managment.
I'm not complaining.....just some questions.
Also in the manual there is somewhere written about a career mode....any informations ?

Some virtual pilots probably never wont join AirChild because of those reasons exposed above.

Again I don't compain, just ask and try to think positively ;-))

Thanks to Norbert, Peter and the rest of the ACH staff !

Cedric

Christian Neumann · Aug 9, 2011

Yes, you are right! Having the possibility to chose between careers is in fact implantated. You can chose between "Basic, Advanced and professional".(shown in your profile).
I myself be also a reealityfreak, but, not only miles, but the distance to moon away from it, I decided to start as Basic, always trying to improve. Try the professional one and tell me, what's about.

And I think, that's the way, many people think. Knowing not to be perfect and having to make this public, discourages a lot of (younger) people.
At the point, we are with airchild now, any people con join and collect donations.
Many regards

Cedric Bandelier · Aug 9, 2011

I'm already using the advanced mode...as the professionnal isn't yet fully active. Seems that you are starting in the VA....
I understand your point of view, and I already know the main objective from AirChild, that's why I'm here. But that's not a reason not to improve the concept.
Let's wait for an "official" anwser...

Cheers

Cedric

Norbert Woeller · Aug 9, 2011

Cedric Bandelier said:
Let's wait for an "official" anwser...

And here it is:

we will add more economical parts in the future for the professional career. From the beginning on, our goal was to please as much pilots as possible. That's why you allways can switch from the BASIC to ADVANCED or PROFESSIONAL career and back.

Please read this post, for more information:
http://www.air-child.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=1112&p=6370#p6370

Peter Schindler · Aug 9, 2011

Thank you both, Cedric and Christian, for your input! As Norbert wrote above, we are definitely planning an economic extension of the VA systems. However, this will probably be one of the most complex projects we did, so far. I (as well as Norbert) totally agree with Christian that there shouldn't be any restrictions where people are forced to follow. It's good to have many different options, so everyone can enjoy it the way he/she likes to.
That's why we implemented the career modes in the first place. But it's also the part where it gets difficult. We have to offer a complex business model with many parameters and certain restrictions on one side, and on the other hand leave maximum liberty to those who don't want this sort of immersion.

As we are still in the concept phase of this project, everyone is invited to post his ideas, wishes, thoughts ... whatever.

As I wrote in another thread, I will soon publish a road map for things to come. But I can already tell that the business extension, because of its complexity, will be pretty far down on the list

Cedric Bandelier · Aug 10, 2011

Great news Peter and Norbert. Thanks a lot. I fully understand that it's a very big challenge for you and that your first priority is to get as many pilots as possible.

Depending of your need, would be a good idea to pin a specific post when the roadmap will be available and "listen" to suggestions from the more experienced pilots.

I'm already very excited to see what the futur will bring to us here at AirChild.

Thanks and good luck ;-)

Cedric

Svilen Vassilev · Aug 10, 2011

If you're accepting suggestions, here's one from me as well:

I do almost all my flying online on Vatsim, like many other pilots here, I believe, and almost always I make some customization to the remarks field of the flightplan that I file for Vatasim. For example I almost always add RMK/SCENERY, TERMINAL AND ENROUTE CHARTS, I also often add remarks about ground stands, selcal, etc. I've noticed other AirChild pilots also customize and personalize their remarks in certain fashion.

What I was thinking is: could it be possible to have an editable field, associated with our pilot profiles here on the website, that allows us to input arbitrary text string with our preferred flight plan remarks. And thereafter upon the dynamic flight plan generation the data from this field gets pulled out each time and inserted into the remarks section of our flight plan, just to avoid typing the same stuff manually for each flight. The string that is currently injected in our flight plans: RTF=AIRCHILD / WWW.AIR-CHILD.COM could be "hardcoded" and automatically concatenated, preceding any custom remarks that we have entered in our profiles.

Additionally I wanted to say thank you to our management for operating the wonderful Dash-7 aircraft, a very interesting, truly unique bird that stands apart from the more mainstream turboprops and induces a special emotional relationship with her pilot, as seen on

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. I was wondering could it be possible to change the equipment code for this airplane to /A by default, since in RW this plane is only equipped with radios, a GPS being a rare retrofit. It would be good to have some input from other pilots flying here about their preferred ways of navigation, but I personally only fly her with traditional radio navigation, picking airways that are based on VOR radails, which can be done with no problems on all the short routes operated by this type, and it seems to me more fitting with the spirit of this plane and the way it's used in RW.

One more thought I was pondering is whether it would be possible to include in the fleet (perhaps as a charter only?) the legendary DHC6 Twin Otter, which after almost 30 years pause and due to it's huge popularity and capabilities of servicing small challenging airfields, has entered production again last year,

And a final wish: it would be great to have a repaint for FS2004 iFly B737 / B738. I know we have for the FSX version, so perhaps it won't be too hard to adapt those for FS9? Also it would be nice to see the B736 available for shorter regional hops, but I'll stop now, because I think I might have long exhausted my quota for suggestions as each pilot here have their own vision and personal preferences and it's impossible to catter to all

I wish you 3 greens, be safe!

Peter Schindler · Aug 10, 2011

Svilen Vassilev said:
If you're accepting suggestions

More than this - we do heavily welcome them and wish there would be more

could it be possible to have an editable field, associated with our pilot profiles here on the website, that allows us to input arbitrary text string with our preferred flight plan remarks ... The string that is currently injected in our flight plans: RTF=AIRCHILD / http://WWW.AIR-CHILD.COM could be "hardcoded" and automatically concatenated, preceding any custom remarks that we have entered in our profiles.

Excellent idea! Consider it done. 8)

Dash-7 ... could it be possible to change the equipment code for this airplane to /A by default, since in RW this plane is only equipped with radios, a GPS being a rare retrofit.

Thanks for the reminder. When we first tested the pre-filing, the fleet only had some 737's and A320's, I think. Later, no one thought about different equipment codes, anymore.

whether it would be possible to include in the fleet (perhaps as a charter only?) the legendary DHC6 Twin Otter ...

Question goes to Norbert. I'd say: sure, why not

Also it would be nice to see the B736 available for shorter regional hops

Basically, we don't want to further extend the fleet massively, in terms of different types - only in numbers. Anyway, it's much easier to add types from manufacturers we already have in the fleet than to include a completely new manufacturer. So I think a 736 should be possible - some day

I'll stop now, because I think I might have long exhausted my quota for suggestions ...

Nah .... these are all great suggestions. Thanks, Svilen!

Svilen Vassilev · Aug 10, 2011

Great! Thanks for the fast and positive response, Peter

I realize fleet expansion decisions are tricky and have to be balanced against a number of factors and considerations, that's why I put less emphasis on those, and I'm glad that you found the other suggestions applicable.
Cheers!

Norbert Woeller · Aug 10, 2011

Peter Schindler said:
Svilen Vassilev said:

whether it would be possible to include in the fleet (perhaps as a charter only?) the legendary DHC6 Twin Otter ...

Click to expand...

Question goes to Norbert. I'd say: sure, why not

Svilen, it's possible. But it will take some time.
We are currently working on our new HUB for Accra. Also Mario and me have to validate every month our company routes after a new AIRAC. 2323 routes at the moment!!! And we have to build new routes, for all outdated routes, to provide you allways with valid routes. Thats a lot of work, and that's the reason for some delays.

Rafal Zielinski · Aug 10, 2011

Norbert Woeller said:
Also Mario and me have to validate every month our company routes after a new AIRAC. 2323 routes at the moment!!! And we have to build new routes, for all outdated routes, to provide you allways with valid routes. Thats a lot of work, and that's the reason for some delays.

Hello there

need help just tell me how can I help. I want to learn something so if you tell me how I can validate routes

Norbert Woeller · Aug 11, 2011

Rafal Zielinski said:
need help just tell me how can I help. I want to learn something so if you tell me how I can validate routes

Thank you very much for your kind offer. But the flightplanning departmend is "closed" at the moment. If the team is too big, you can't work very well, as well if it is to small. With Pierre our team has the right size. But if we need some day your help, I will be happy if I can contact you again.

Best Regards
Norbert