All, here's a good discussion regarding an IFR approach procedure that our controllers don't normally get a ton of training and/or experience on; full ILS approaches.

See the discussion here:  http://forums.vatsim.net/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=62621

http://www.precisionmanuals.com/productcar...sp?idproduct=99

From AvWeb (http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/Seaplane-Pilots-Rescue-Ditched-Pilot220408-1.html)

[size=]Seaplane Pilots Rescue Ditched Pilot[/size]

By Russ Niles , Editor-in-Chief | August 10, 2013

Sometimes it's better to be lucky than it is to be good but the pilot of an aircraft that ditched off Key Largo, Fla., on Thursday seemed to have everything working in his favor. According to a news release, the unidentified pilot's distress calls were heard by Key West Seaplanes pilots Julie Ann Floyd and Nikali Pontecorvo as they ferried one of the company's floatplanes from Key West to Miami. They offered to help and diverted to the location of the other aircraft, whose pilot was reporting engine trouble. The seaplane pilots followed the other aircraft, which also hasn't been identified, in hopes it would make it to a runway. The engine quit, however, and that's when the unusual rescue sequence unfolded.

"We watched while the pilot made a textbook, perfect emergency water landing and we then landed our seaplane beyond his touchdown point on the water," said Floyd. I was really impressed with the pilot's skill to do everything just as all pilots are trained." The pilot got out of the floating aircraft and swam over to the floatplane as it taxied toward him. "He had no signs of any injury ... no cuts, no scratches, no bruises. He was in good spirits and complained of no pain. He really did everything right," Floyd said. They gave him a lift to Miami and parted ways.

There is currently nothing on the calendar or home page for tomorrow night's FNO that is supposed to be hosted by HCF.  I have sent HCF an email asking them to advertise their FNO.

However, and I must do too much contingency planning at work, I'm just curious....  If we find out that HCF somehow forgot their FNO (it has happened in the past to a few ARTCCs), which ARTCC or ARTCCs could put one together on short notice?  Say, 2359-0400 or 0500Z?  In the past, sometimes individual ARTCCs have pulled us out of the fire, and in some cases, multiple ARTCCs came together to do it (lessening the workload on each ARTCC, because finding controllers that last minute can be challenging).

So, anyone want to volunteer to be on deck, just in case?  Don't volunteer until the ATM, DATM and/or EC have already spoken and agree, and you have tentative commitments from enough controllers that you feel you can pull something off.  If you're close, you can always hit up the Ace Team....

Sorry to exercise the system in the event that HCF has it covered and just forgot to advertise....  But, at least if it's nothing else, it's good practice, eh?   Thanks.

All,

I have been notified that someone has allegedly been advertising a "New Official VATUSA TeamSpeak server."

This is not true.

Although VATUSA does maintain a TS server for administrative and operational use by the VATUSA staff, for such things as routine coordination and staff meetings, etc., I can assure you that it is seldom used.  More importantly, any legitimate announcement of a new VATUSA TeamSpeak server would come through this forum.

I'm not sure what the motivation is, but it sounds eerily like either a phishing scam or malware attack, where someone tries to lure people to a server/website address trying to get personal information from you or possibly download malicious software to your computer when you connect to the malicious site.

Remember, legitimate VATUSA communications to all VATUSA members will come from me or the VATUSA staff via this forum, and will likely also be posted on our web page.

Especially in this online environment, let's stay safe out there.

Team, I'll be out of the country for business 22 Apr - 01 May (to the other side of the planet).  Limited electronic access and UTC+8.

Well, it's been a month since I took over the reins as VATUSA1, and I wanted to touch base and let folks know what I am seeing from my perch -- kind of a "State of the Division Address".....

When I gave my "acceptance speech", I highlighted four focus areas that I had for the Division (listed possibly, though not necessarily, in any order of importance):

- Instituting a staff that will help move the Division forward
- Focus on an innovative and more-standardized training program
- Retaining talent at all levels
- Growth

With the key appointment of a new USA3, the USA HQ staff is now full.  It's a good thing I have my own parking space -- it's getting harder and harder to find parking in the lot!  I think this is really important.  I do subscribe to the age-old adage, "many hands make light work."  Those that know me know that 1. I have a challenging job, 2. I have young kids, and 3. I don't (and can't) do it right all the time, every time (just ask my wife!!!).  So to have a full staff, all actively aligned behind a common vision for the Division and actively contributing to seeing that vision to fruition is key.  I counted last night (luckily I didn't have to take my socks off!), and of the 10 VATUSA leadership positions, 5 of us are new within the last month (USA1, 2, 3, 5 and 7)!  So dust is coming off the desks, we are settling into our new roles, and all of us are leaning forward, devising strategies and goals to align behind the vision of ensuring that VATUSA is one of the strongest, active and most admired Divisions in VATSIM, through ordinary people achieving extraordinary results.

With Zach now in the Training Director hot-seat, we as a Division can start work on the second focus area listed above, focusing on an innovative and more-standardized training program.  Zach, Bob and I all have some strong ideas about ways that we can move forward, and I know that Zach will be soliciting your input on what things we can do to improve.  I expect to see a training program concept be born, and multiple projects being devised and executed, eventually leading to a training program that the Division is proud to align behind, because it makes things easier for our students, our training staff, and actively improves retention and promotes growth.  I will caution folks, however, that this vision won't be achieved overnight.  Combined with the need to solicit input, align folks behind vision and goals, garner the right support, and the fact that we are all volunteers that do this stuff "on the side", it will likely take more like 12-18 months for the training program to look and feel like what I expect it eventually will.  That's OK, though.  As long as we have measurable progress every week and month, the change should be palpable enough for our members to see, feel and support. 

This will go a long way toward the last two focus areas that I mentioned, retaining talent and growth.  It is not, however, the only thing we need to do to achieve that vision.  Matt is spinning up the Events Department, and Bob and the ATDs are hard at work working with the ATMs to get the ARTCC leadership slots filled with capable people.  There is a lot of activity focused on people-infrastructure right now -- setting the stage to make sure the right people are aligned in the right roles to make the right decisions and execute the right things to make this a better Division for all.

Is it going to be perfect?  Never.  Will I and the staff make all the right decisions?  No way (again, my wife will be happy to vouch for that in my case!).  Are we all doing the best that we can now and focused on learning from our mistakes to make this place better?  Absolutely.

My message this month:  Expect great things, but don't expect them to be served to you on a silver platter.  Become part of a constructive solution by offering your talent and passion to actively make this place a better place to "live and work".  Yes, it can sometimes be a lot of work for a hobby, but we're building a better hobby that we can all get more enjoyment out of, hopefully for a lot longer-term.  Your personal investment now will yield a better return on investment for all. 

I look forward to working with you!

Please join me in congratulating Mark Hubbert on his appointment as the newest Western Region ATD. Mark most recently served as the ATM of the Memphis ARTCC, a role he served in admirably for the last two years.  Welcome to your new role, Mark!