pilot manual - mountain air manual v2.1 23 ... per week to keep up-to-date with what is ... a...

Pilot ManualPilot Manualv2.1

23 March 2012

Mountain Air Mission: "Short Hops, Light on Rules, Have Fun!"Mountain Air Mission: "Short Hops, Light on Rules, Have Fun!"

Table of Contents

Section Page1. Overview................................................................................................................................32. Joining Mountain Air...............................................................................................................33. Pilot Ratings, Points, and Promotions...................................................................................44. Minimum Flight Time..............................................................................................................55. Aircraft....................................................................................................................................66. Flights.....................................................................................................................................77. PIREPs (Pilot Reports).........................................................................................................108. Online Flying........................................................................................................................129. Group Flights........................................................................................................................1210. Company Radio ................................................................................................................1311. Training...............................................................................................................................1412. Awards................................................................................................................................1413. Secure Pilot Area...............................................................................................................15

APPENDIX I - STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES.....................................16APPENDIX II - ACARS QUICK START GUIDE.......................................................23

1. OverviewMountain Air (MTN) is a virtual airline that was formed in September 1998 to offer an

alternative to the virtual airlines that existed at the time. Most virtual airlines concentrated on large jet aircraft with very long haul routes. The founders of MTN preferred flying shorter routes with smaller aircraft. Thus, MTN was formed as a commuter airline providing feeder service. The airline has evolved into a mainline carrier, although our primary focus is still on smaller aircraft with the most prominent jet aircraft family being the Bombardier family – Dash 8 turboprop and CRJ regional jets. The largest official aircraft is a Boeing 737-800 for passenger operations and a Boeing 757-200 for cargo operations. The airline's headquarters is at Denver International Airport in Denver, Colorado.

NOTE: All pilots are encouraged to read MTN's “Standard Operating Procedures” which are the foundation of this Pilot Manual and can be found in Appendix I.

2. Joining Mountain Air

Mountain Air has an open application policy. Any virtual pilot, subject to the COPPA (Children's Online Privacy Protection Act) restriction, that likes to fly commuter routes is welcome to join. Pilots must utilize their "real" name to join. Mountain Air complies with COPPA, and due to the burden of record-keeping, membership is open only to those 13 years of age or older. Join MTN by completing the application on our website.

After receiving your application, MTN's Member Services Manager will email you a letter with your personal MTN callsign, and a MTN secure database password which you specified in your original application. With your callsign and database password, you will be able to access all pilot areas on the MTN website, except the Mountain Air Forum. The letter also provides instructions on how to enroll in Mountain Air Forum. The Forum is the backbone of our airline and the primary method of communications. It includes, but is not limited to, technical help, introduction of software and procedures, MTN events, etc. Your active participation in the Forum is encouraged and we ask you visit the Forum at least once per week to keep up-to-date with what is happening at Mountain Air.

No payware aircraft, scenery or add-ons are required by MTN.

3. Pilot Ratings, Points, and Promotions

Pilots will be assigned a rating according to points earned while flying for Mountain Air.

Rank Chevron Points & Other

Rank Chevron Points & Other

Chief Captain 50,000 + 1st Officer 1,000 to 1,999

Training Captain

20,000 to 49,999 & Staff Trainer Award

2nd Officer 500 to 999

Commercial Captain

10,000 to 19,999

Flight Engineer

200 to 499

Senior Captain

5,000 to 9,999 Trainee 1 to 199

Captain 2,000 to 4,999 New Hire 0

Points are earned by flying and filing a PIREP. What, when, how and where you fly impacts the number of points you earn per flight.

Credit will only be given to pilots who fly utilizing their designated MTN callsign. If for example the pilot is registered with two virtual airlines, time can only be logged for a single airline. Real world flying will not count towards any points at MTN.

All new pilots start at zero points, and no credit will be given for hours flown for other airlines.

Because we are a commuter based airline, none of our official flights are over 3 hours. Unofficial flights will count toward points, but flights longer than 3 hours will be limited to points based on a 3 hour flight. No additional points will be earned beyond the 3 hour time limit as explained below. Also, we strongly encourage flying online, and the use of official aircraft and routes.

The total number of points earned per flight are the sum of the following components:

• Flight itself = 2 points per flight. • Hours component = 10 points per hour (based on tenths of hours) capped at 30.

Examples: 1.1 hours = 11 points; 2.4 hours = 24 points; 3.0 hours = 30 points; 3.5 hours = 30 points; 5.3 hours = 30 points.

• Online component = 3 points per hour for flying online; capped at 9 points. Points are rounded to the nearest hour. Example 1.4 hours = 3 points; 1.7 hours = 6 points.

• Official flight component = 2 points per hour flying an official route; capped at 6 points.

Points are rounded to the nearest hour. • Official aircraft component = 1 point per hour for flying an official aircraft; capped at 3

points. Points are rounded to the nearest hour.

The highest total flight point possible for any single flight is 50.

Important: For every official MTN Group Flight event that you are a participant, you will have 10 bonus points added to your flight point total.

Note: There may be other future opportunities to earn more bonus points.

Promotions are currently accomplished by each pilot flying and attaining the required number of points and other accomplishments as depicted in the previous table. When the required point level is reached for your next promotion, you should complete the "Promotion Request Form" on the MTN website (located at Secure Pilot Area > Promotion Request) and a manager will approve the promotion assuming the qualifications have been met.

Note: Promotions to certain ranks require more than a just a set number of earned points. For example, to be promoted to the level of Training Captain you are required a minimum of 20,000 points AND a Staff Trainer Award. This program is under development.

4. Minimum Flight Time

In order to keep the roster as up to date as possible, MTN ask that pilots fly at least one route per month. Any pilot that has not logged a flight in the past 90 days will be automatically removed from the roster. Once removed from the roster, a pilot just needs to log a flight to be returned to the roster. All prior points and awards are automatically reinstated.

5. Aircraft

The fleet currently used by MTN consists of the aircraft shown below:

Aircraft Quantity Passenger or Cargo

ICAO Code FS9or

FSXRaytheon Beechcraft Baron 58 3 Cargo BE58 FS9Cessna Caravan 208B 14 Cargo C208 FS9-FSXde Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter 8 Cargo DHC6 FS9Raytheon Beechcraft King Air 300 4 Cargo B300 Raytheon Beechcraft 1900D 43 Cargo B190 FS9-FSXEmbraer EMB-120 Brasilia 40 Passenger E120 FS9-FSXDe Havilland Canada Dash 8 49 Passenger DH8B FS9-FSXEmbraer ERJ-145 9 Passenger E145 FS9-FSXEmbraer ERJ-170 23 Passenger E170 FS9-FSXBombardier CRJ200 99 Passenger CRJ2 FS9Bombardier CRJ700 52 Passenger CRJ7 FS9Bombardier CRJ900 37 Passenger CRJ9 FS9Boeing 727-200 2 Cargo B722Boeing 737-700 50 Passenger B737 FS9Boeing 737-800 66 Passenger B738 FS9-FSXBoeing 757-200 35 Cargo B752 FS9

In addition to the official fleet you are free to fly any aircraft of your choosing.

MTN fleet aircraft can be downloaded from the Fleet page on the MTN website.

6. Flights

6.1 Official And Unofficial Flights

Official flights are flights listed in MTN's database that have been assigned a unique MTN flight number and that flight number correlates to a specific departure/destination airport pair. For example: You are going to fly from Denver to Salt Lake City. One of MTN's flights that match this pair is flight number 4368.

Unofficial flights are flights not listed in the MTN's database. For example: You are going to fly from KGPI (Glacier Park International airport) to S59 (Libby, Montana airport). There is no official MTN flight number assigned to this departure/destination airport pair. When there is no official MTN flight number that can be used, you treat it as a charter flight and use the word “Charter” for the flight number.

Important: You earn 2 additional points per hour of flight (max. of 6 points) towards promotion when flying an official MTN flight. 6.2 How To Find Official Flights

There are two ways on the MTN website to search the official flight database; “Dispatch Flight” and “Flight Search”.

6.2.1 Dispatch Flight

A Dispatch Flight search will locate official flights that are available for assignment to you, based upon the availability of a MTN aircraft (aircraft tail number) parked at a specific departure airport. The results of the Dispatch Search is dynamic and can change moment to moment depending on which aircraft are located at which airports at the time the search is conducted.

Assigning yourself a flight through dispatch is the only way one can take advantage of the ACARS “automated” flight plan feature. See section 7.2 of this manual.

There are several ways to navigate to the Dispatch Flight page to select and accept an official MTN flight. The following provides how to dispatch a flight, starting from the MTN homepage:

On the MTN homepage, select Database, then Secure Pilot Area. Enter your MTN callsign and secure database password. Select Dispatch Flight and the following should appear (without “kslc” in the “Origin” entry field):

By completing or not completing the Origin, Destination, Division, and Aircraft fields will modify the results produced by the search. If there are aircraft and flights available that match your entered search criteria, you will receive a listing of the available flights. Using the example above, “kslc” was entered into the “Origin” search field, and all other fields were left blank. The results of this search is shown below. At the time this Dispatch Flight search was conducted, it showed four aircraft and flights were currently available to select from; flights 4207 & 4203 using CRJ2 aircraft, and flights 8219 & 8213 using E120 aircraft.

Once you have decided on which flight to fly, select the “Accept” point to the left of he flight number. You can only reserve one dispatched flight at a time. You cannot “stack up” several flights. Whichever flight you “Accepted” last, is the flight that is assigned to you. If you want to change your dispatched flight, simply “Accept” a different flight.

You can also navigate to the Flight Dispatch page from any of the Hub websites. For example, select one of the Hubs on the left side of the MTN website such as Salt Lake City. Scroll down the Salt Lake City website page and you will see a listing titled “Airports Served By Salt Lake City”. Just above that title line you will see two selectable items: Dispatch a flight FROM Salt Lake City and Dispatch a flight TO Salt Lake City. Either of these selectable areas will take you to the Dispatch Flight page after entering your callsign and secure

database password. Note, the dispatch page will be pre-configured with FROM or TO, depending on which area you selected on the Salt Lake City page.

6.2.2 Flight Search

A Flight Search will locate all official flights in the database regardless to which planes are at which airports at the time of the search, and meet the search criteria you specify. Flights cannot be assigned to you from the Flight Search page; that must be done from the Dispatch Search page as described in the previous section 6.2.1

To navigate to the Flight Search page from the MTN homepage, select Database, then Secure Pilot Area. Enter your MTN callsign and secure database password. Select Flight Search and the following should appear:

From this page, one can enter any combination of search criteria in the different fields (or leave the field(s) blank) to produce a listing of all matching flights in the MTN database. This is a very useful when searching for a new official route to explore!

Tip: Two useful sites for planning USA flight routes and finding charts are:

http://skyvector.com/ and http://airnav.com/

7. PIREPs (Pilot Reports)

Filing of a PIREP is the only way pilots can accumulate points that will result in rank promotions and awards. There are two methods to enter a PIREP – manual entry of the required data, or through the automated FSACARS system. It is recommended new pilots begin their MTN career by entering flight data using the manual method the first few times.

If a PIREP needs to be edited (i.e. change the total flight time), please contact a manager. If a PIREP needs to be deleted, contact the Webmaster or database administrator.

7.1 PIREPs - Manual Method

To manually enter a PIREP into the secured database after a flight, you must first log into the secured database using your MTN callsign and secure database password. On the MTN website, go to the Pilot Lounge > Database and enter your callsign and secure database password. Next, select Secure Pilot Area > PIREP Entry . Complete the form shown below by entering the required flight information and then select Enter PIREP . This completes the manual filing of a PIREP and contributes the appropriate amount of points towards your promotion and awards.

The hours reported in your PIREP should be actual clock hours in tenths (1/10 increments). Valid examples would be 1.4, 2.2, or .7, not 1.42, 2.25, or 1.67. Time is block time, counted from dropping your brakes at the departure airport gate to setting your brakes at the destination airport gate. While airborne, we strongly encourage the use of actual time for realism (1x simulator rate), but if a 2x, 4x, or faster simulator rate is used, the reported flight time in the PIREP should reflect the actual real time spent flying in the "real world." 2X or faster simulator time is not allowed in the PIREPs!

7.2 PIREPs - ACARS Method

ACARS (Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System) in the virtual

world is a system that allows communication with MTN servers. It can be used pre-flight, mainly to look up or download a flight along with the flight plan; in-flight, with real-time tracking of the aircraft and periodic status updates that can be sent to the server and displayed on a web page; and post-flight for automated PIREP reporting. All this can be used whether or not connected and using VATSIM for on-line flight. However, you need an internet connection to be able to connect to our server for reporting.

One of the advantages of using ACARS over the manual method is automation when you are using dispatched flights (see Dispatch Flight in section 6.2.1). Most of the data entry on the PIREP will be automatically completed for you.

Pilots are encouraged to use the ACARS system.

To install and use the ACARS system, follow the instructions in the “ACARS Quick Start Guide” found in Appendix II of this Pilot Manual.

There is also a Forum dedicated to ACARS under the Forum Tech Support area.

8. Online Flying

We encourage all pilots to fly via the VATSIM system for added realism. The VATSIM system provides real-time, live ATC via the internet. To encourage additional traffic (both Mountain Air pilots and ATC) it is recommended Mountain Air pilots fly as much as possible on official Mountain Air routes. There is a common belief among online ATCs in VATSIM that you (as an ATC) "login, and they will come." At Mountain Air we want to change this belief so that it reads... "Login, and ATC will come."

1.) Visit the VATSIM website at http://www.vatsim.net/ to obtain an online account.

2.) Download and install either FSInn or Squawkbox as your connection software (both are freeware).

FSInn = http://forums.vatsim.net/viewtopic.php?t=20466

Squawkbox = http://squawkbox.ca/downloads/

Once you begin to fly online, you may want to look at your own online VATSIM statistics, other pilot statistics, and/or other VATSIM statistics at http://www.vataware.com/ .

VATSpy is another handy tool for VATSIM users, but it is NOT required to fly online. It does allow you to see the real-time status of online ATC (Air Traffic Control) and pilots. VATSpy is freeware. It can be found at http://www.metacraft.com/VATSpy/ .

9. Group Flights

Mountain Air believes in having fun while fostering an environment of continuous learning. Group Flights provide this environment. Most pilots use Teamspeak3 to communicate during the flight and it is here many pilots enjoy social conversation and develop friendships. Also, it is not uncommon for there to be technical discussion that many times result in helping each other solve flight simulation related questions.

MTN tries to schedule at least two Group Flights a month and they are usually based upon official MTN flights and routes. On special occasions, flights may contain non-official flight numbers and routes in support of special situations and/or real world events.

Pilots can see Group Flight schedules several different ways on MTN's website. The Forum Events posting is the main location to see Group Flight details. These Forum postings can be accessed directly in the Events Forum, and via Events Forum links included in Recent Headlines postings and the Event Calendar postings.

Official Group Flight participation rewards the pilot with an additional 10 bonus pilot points and 1 group flight achievement point. These award points are earned ONLY if a PIREP is filed officially documenting your participation.

10. Company Radio

While not mandatory, we encourage the use of MTN's Teamspeak3 server as its' company radio system. It allows MTN pilots to visit with each other via voice at any time; flying or not. This method of communicating is also used extensively during our Group Flights. It is a great way to visit, make new friends, exchange ideas, and help each other with software, hardware, and flight simulator issues.

Teamspeak3 it is a voice application that allows voice communication amongst as many or as few people that are in the room at the moment. Teampeak affords us many advantages, which number too many to go over in their entirety here, but let it suffice to say, we think you will enjoy it. To install and use the Teamspeak3 software, go to: http://96.125.161.98/~mtnweb02/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=2350

and enter your callsign and Forum password if requested, then follow the instructions.

Tip: When flying online and using Teamspeak, there are times that other MTN pilot voices can conflict with ATC (Air Traffic Control) voices – making it difficult to hear ATC instructions. There are several ways to deal with this, but the easiest way is to “mute” Teamspeak while needing to communicate with ATC. A keyboard key can be assigned within Teamspeak to be your Teamspeak “Mute Key”.

11. Training

This section will be completed when the MTN Training Program development is completed.

Pilots are encourage to review the Training Forum at:

http://96.125.161.98/~mtnweb02/forum/viewforum.php?f=30

This Forum provides information on several training topics and access to several MTN produced training videos ranging from how to install aircraft, panels, sound and textures, to reading SID and STAR charts, and installing FSInn.

Additional training programs and videos are planned for the future.

NOTE: Watch the Forum for future developments.

12. Awards

This section will be completed when the MTN Awards systems are fully implemented.

Currently there is one award system implemented – Group Flight Participation. See section 9.

Go to the following MTN website page to see the available awards:

http://www.mountain-air.org/corp/awards.php

NOTE: Awards earned can be seen on each pilot's Secure Pilot Area personal page. See section 13.

13. Secure Pilot Area

The Secure Pilot Area is one of the most helpful personal areas of the MTN website. While it is a “secure” area, it is secured from non-MTN members only. MTN pilots can view each others' Secure Pilot Area.

There are several ways to navigate to your personal Secure Pilot Area. The most direct method to access it is to click the Database selection on the left-hand side of MTN's homepage, enter your callsign and database password when requested, then select Secure Pilot Area. The following screen should appear:

As identified above, click on your callsign in the tan colored bar to access your personal Secure Pilot Area. This area provides you a snapshot overview of your rank, awards received, points total, last flight flown information, currently dispatched flight status, and other pilot and flight data.

Another area that provides interesting personal information is your logbook. Logbook Search is one of the available choices from your Pilot Secure Area. Click on this option and a screen should appear listing your most recent flights. If you click on the Date next to one of the listed flights, you will retrieve the PIREP filed for that particular flight. It will provide you the detailed file record of the flight which was generated by ACARS if you filed that PIREP via ACARS. If the PIREP was filed manually, it will show that PIREP's details.

You are encouraged to explore, learn, fly, participate, make new friends, and most of all – HAVE FUN !!!

APPENDIX I - STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES

Standard Operating Procedures v2.0

11 March 2012

CONTENTS

1.0 PREAMBLE

2.0 MISSION STATEMENT

3.0 MEMBERSHIP

4.0 PILOT RATINGS, POINTS & PROMOTIONS

5.0 FLIGHT ASSIGNMENTS & PILOT REPORTS (PIREP)

6.0 AIRCRAFT

7.0 MINIMUM FLIGHT TIME

8.0 CONDUCT

1.0 PREAMBLE

1.1 Introduction:

1.1.1 Mountain Air (MTN) is a virtual airline that was formed in September 1998 to offer an alternative to the virtual airlines that existed at the time. Most virtual airlines concentrated on large jet aircraft with very long haul routes. The founders of MTN preferred flying shorter routes with smaller aircraft. Thus, MTN was formed as a commuter airline providing feeder service. The airline has evolved into a mainline carrier, although our primary focus is still on smaller aircraft with the most prominent jet aircraft family being the Bombardier family – Dash 8 turboprop and CRJ regional jets. The largest official aircraft is a Boeing 737-800 for passenger operations and a Boeing 757-200 for cargo operations. The airline's headquarters is at Denver International Airport in Denver, Colorado.

2.0 ABBREVIATED MISSION STATEMENT

“Short Hops, Light on Rules, Have Fun!”

3.0 MEMBERSHIP

3.1 Member Policy:

3.1.1 MTN has an open membership policy.

3.1.2 MTN complies with COPPA (Children's Online Privacy Protection Act), and due to the record-keeping burden, membership is open only to those 13 years of age or older.

3.1.3 Any virtual pilot, subject to the COPPA restriction, that enjoys flying commuter routes is welcome to join.

3.2 Applications:

3.2.1 To join Mountain Air, the application on the MTN website must be completed.

3.2.2 Applicants must utilize their "real" name to join.

3.2.3 After receiving an application, Mountain Air's Member Services Manager will email the applicant a personal MTN callsign.

3.2.4 The password which the applicant requests in the initial application will be the applicant's secure database password.

3.3 Mountain Air Forums:

3.3.1 It is required that each pilot utilize their assigned callsign as their username in MTN Forums.

3.3.2 The forums are MTN's primary source of communications.

3.3.3 Pilots will be encouraged to check the Forums at least once per week.

4.0 PILOT RATINGS, POINTS & PROMOTIONS

4.1 Pilot Ratings:

4.1.1 Pilots will be assigned a rating according to points earned while flying with Mountain Air.

4.1.2 The current schedule in use to assign pilot rating is listed in Table 4-1.

Table 4-1POINTS & Other RATING

0 New Hire1 to 199 Trainee200 to 499 Flight Engineer500 to 999 2nd Officer1000 to 1999 1st Officer2000 to 4999 Captain5000 to 9999 Senior Captain10000 to 19999 Commercial Captain20000 to 50000 & Staff Trainer Award Training Captain50000+ Chief Captain

4.2 Points:

4.2.1 All new pilots start at zero points.

4.2.2 Points will only be earned by pilots utilizing their designated MTN callsign.

4.2.3 Real world flying or flying for another virtual airline will not count towards any points at MTN.

4.2.4 Total points earned for each flight are a sum of the following components:

* Flight itself = 2 points/flight.* Hours of flight = 10 points/hr (based on tenths of hours); capped at 30 points.* Flight flown online = 3 points/hr; capped at 9 points.* Official route flown = 2 points/hr; capped at 6 points.* Official aircraft used = 1 point/hr; capped at 3 points.

4.2.5 The maximum number of points (not including Group Flight bonus pilot points – see section 4.2.6) that can be earned in one flight is 50.

4.2.6 For each Group Flight a MTN pilot participates in, they will be awarded an additional 10 bonus pilot points.

4.3 Promotions:

4.3.1 Currently, promotions are accomplished by a pilot earning the required number of points and other accomplishments as listed in Table 4-1.

4.3.2 To receive a promotion, the pilot must submit a completed “Promotion Request Form”.

5.0 FLIGHT ASSIGNMENTS & PILOT REPORTS (PIREP)

5.1 Flights:

5.1.1 There are two types of MTN flights – Official Flights and Unofficial Flights.

5.1.1.1 MTN Official Flights are flights listed in MTN's database, each with a unique flight number and a specific departure/destination airport pair.

5.1.1.2 Unofficial MTN Flights are flights not listed in MTN's database.

5.2 PIREPs:

5.2.1 Filing of a PIREP earns pilot flight points that will be contributed towards rating promotions as listed in Table 4-1.

5.2.2 While the filing of PIREPs using FSACARS will be encouraged, pilots may elect to file PIREPs manually.

5.2.3 Hours reported shall be actual clock hours in tenths.

5.2.4 Time is to be reported as block time. Block time is the time from gate departure time at the originating airport, to gate arrival at the destination airport.

5.2.5 While airborne, the use of actual real world time is encouraged. If a pilot uses Simulator Acceleration Time (2X, 4X, etc.), the final recorded flight time posted in the PIREP is to be the actual “real world time” used to fly the flight.

6.0 AIRCRAFT

6.0.1 The fleet that is currently used by MTN is posted in Table 6-1.

Table 6-1AIRCRAFT ICAO Code

Raytheon Beechcraft Baron 58 BE58Cessna Caravan 208B C208de Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter DHC6Raytheon Beechcraft King Air 300 B300Raytheon Beechcraft 1900D B190Embraer EMB-120 Brasilia E120De Havilland Canada Dash 8 DH8BEmbraer ERJ-145 E145Embraer ERJ-170 E170Bombardier CRJ200 CRJ2Bombardier CRJ700 CRJ7Bombardier CRJ900 CRJ9Boeing 727-200 B722Boeing 737-700 B737Boeing 737-800 B738Boeing 757-200 B752

7.0 MINIMUM FLIGHT TIME

7.0.1 To maintain rosters up-to-date as possible, pilots will be encouraged to fly and log at least one official route per month.

7.0.2 Any pilot not flying and logging a flight in a 90 day period will be automatically removed from the roster.

7.0.3 Once a pilot is removed from the roster, they can be returned to the roster by flying and logging at least one flight. All prior hours, points, and awards will be reinstated.

8.0 CONDUCT

8.0.1 Pilots are expected to conduct themselves in a courteous, professional and friendly manner at all times while using their MTN callsign.

8.0.2 Failure to adhere to the provisions of Mountain Air's SOP may result in suspension of login privileges and/or expulsion from Mountain Air Virtual Airlines membership.

APPENDIX II - ACARS QUICK START GUIDE

Mountain Air ACARS Quick Start GuideMountain Air ACARS Quick Start Guide

v2.123 March 2012

This document is a Quick Start Guide for using the ACARS system for Mountain Air (MTN). ACARS (Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System) in the virtual world is a system that allows communication with our server. It can be used pre-flight, mainly to look-up or download a flight with the associated flight plan; in-flight, with real-time tracking of the aircraft and periodic status updates that can be sent to the server and displayed on a web page; and post-flight for automated PIREP (Pilot Report) reporting. All this can be used whether or not connected and using VATSIM for on-line flight. An internet connection to the MTN's server is required.

Installing the Software

For FSACARS to successfully communicate with your aircraft, you must have the latest version of FSUIPC freeware for your version of flight simulator installed. You can download the latest version from http://www.schiratti.com/dowson.html . You do NOT have to run a registered version.

MTN's ACARS uses the freeware FSACARS. To install the main FSACARS software, go to http://www.satavirtual.org/fsacars/downloads.html and download both the 4.0.11 version and the 4.0.15 update. Install the 4.0.11 version first, then update to 4.0.15 by over-writing the 4.0.11 installed files with the new 4.0.15 files.

Once the software is installed, you will need to download the MTN scripts at http://www.mountain-air.org/fsacars/MTN_FSACARS_INSTALL_PACKAGE.zip . Unzip the contents of this into your FSACARS program folder and overwrite the existing files. If you didn’t change the location where FSACARS installed, that location should be C:\Program Files\FSACARS.

After installing MTN scripts, you must navigate to that folder and edit the MTN.ini file. It is a text file so if it does not automatically open in a text editor; use Notepad to open it.

You will need to change two things in this file. DO NOT CHANGE ANYTHING ELSE!

Find the following line in the file (it should be the fifth line down):

PilotNumber=XXX

Replace the XXX with your 3 or 4 digit assigned MTN callsign number. For example, MTN's Training Director is Dan Ellis, MTN395. His line in the .ini file would read:

PilotNumber=395

Farther down the file, near the bottom, you should also see a line that says:

Password=xxxxxxxx

Replace the x’s with your secure database password. This is the password you now use to log into the Secure Pilot Area of MTN's website to file a PIREP.

Save the file after editing. You have completed the required file editing.

Using ACARS

Before you get started, there are several hidden surprises that come with using ACARS. They will be highlighted in this document using red text and beginning with the word CAUTION:

CAUTION: Save yourself some headaches by knowing and following this advice!!

There is a .pdf manual that installs with the software. You may want to look at that toget some generic information about how to use the software. There are also a few Mountain Air specific items you need to know.

Starting the Software:

CAUTION: Before starting the software, have Flight Simulator running and have your planeat it’s departure airport and gate.

After launching the program, be sure “MTN - Mountain Air Virtual Airlines” is showing in the drop-down box as shown in Fig. 1, then press “Choose Selected Company”.

Fig. 1

Flight Plan Information

CAUTION: DO NOT press the “Start LOG” button until you’re SURE you’re ready to beginlogging. You can’t make changes after starting the log.

After starting the software and choosing the company, you will get the main interface screen as shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 2

You’ll need to fill in the flight plan. There are two ways to do this. The easiest way is to let MTN’s server do it for you. In order to do this, you must have a flight dispatched to you.This is best if done before you start Flight Simulator. If you did that, you can skip to the next

paragraph. However, if you forgot, you can do it now through the interface. Click on the “Information browser” button. When you do, the buttons on the right will change to look like Fig.3. Click on the “VA Site” button. The ACARS main window will now become a browser and you will be on MTN’s main page. You can navigate normally to the database and dispatch your flight. Once that’s completed, press the “Flight Plan” button at the top to return to the flight plan page.

Fig. 3

Once back at the flight plan, press the “Flight from VA” button, and the flight plan page will fill with all the flight information. All you will need to complete now is the alternate airport (if you’re flying online and want to indicate one for the controllers), select your online status from the “Online” drop-down, select your voice status from the “Voice” drop-down (Note: this is enabled only if you are online), and indicate cargo weight and passengers on board. Weight and passengers selected here are random and don’t affect flight dynamics or fuel burn. (NOTE: If you are using Windows 7 and FSX, you may have problems seeing the pull-down menus. To fix this situation, minimize FSX while using the pull-down menus.)

If you’re flying a flight that can’t be dispatched, you will need to manually fill in the flight plan information. Most items are self-explanatory. Flight level should be numerical – i.e. FL350 should be entered as 35000. Flight IATA is the flight number. Use the designated flight number, or the word “Charter” for a charter flight. “Regist” should be the tail number of the aircraft. If using an unofficial plane, use N999MA as the registration. If the “Start Log” button stays grayed out and doesn’t ‘light up’, you have not filled in all required fields. Most of the fields in the Flight Plan screen are required.

Fuel Load

CAUTION: You can NOT change fuel load after starting the log. It will disable the flight. Inone case during testing, it even crashed FS when attempting to change fuel in-flight.

You can now move to the “Flight/Plane Data” button. You can accept what’s already there, or you can click on the numbers in each tank for sliders to change the fuel. After moving a slider, click in the Total Fuel box to get an updated total of fuel load. FSACARS will load the plane with the fuel showing when you start the log. This WILL override any other fuel setting or loading you may have used. Again, make sure you have enough. If you run out before your destination airport, you will crash. You can’t add fuel during the flight.

Starting the Log

CAUTION: Your Parking Brakes must be set before actual logging will start. The “Start Log” button will light when all the required flight plan information is entered and you will be able to push the button, but you will get a message scroll at the top of your screen that your Parking Brake must be set. Logging will not begin until that happens. If you fail to set the Parking Brake and begin your flight, it will not be logged.

Once you’re sure your fuel is correct, your flight plan is correct, and your Parking Brakes are set, you can start logging. Press the “Start LOG” button. Unless you need to get to the information browser during flight, you can minimize the window and send it to the tray. The software logs (and your flight is credited) for block to block time. That means your credited time is from push-back (Parking Brakes released) at departure airport to gate arrival (Parking Brakes set) at destination airport. The software logs pertinent flight information can be used for real time position and flight status updates. MTN currently does not use status updates, but will be looking toward that in the future with a possible Google Maps interface showing all active flights. The information that we do currently capture that will be used is block to block time for the flight, actual flight time, speed and flaps settings, gear settings, and landing speeds (both forward and vertical).

Stopping and Sending the Log

CAUTION: Logging does not end and the log can’t be retrieved and sent until the ParkingBrakes are set at the destination.

Once parked at the destination with the Parking Brakes set, you can retrieve FSACARS from the tray, and press the “Stop LOG” button. It will then cause a window to pop up with a flight summary and ask you if you want to accept the log. Press “Yes”. Once accepted, press the “Flight Log” button and choose “Send Log”. A window will pop up asking you to verify your pilot number. Press “OK”. Your PIREP will be sent and automatically added to the database. When your PIREP is sent, you will get an acknowledgment window that it was accepted. When you receive that, you’re done. If you get an error message, please post it in the ACARS Tech Support forum. We would like to know of problems so we can try to prevent it from happening. The software also logs the flight to your local hard drive, so if needed, you can retrieve the information and log your flight manually.

IMPORTANT: Additional information on preventing common errors and obtaining additional ACARS technical help are available via the ACARS Forum at:

http://96.125.161.98/~mtnweb02/forum/viewforum.php?f=34

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