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General => Come Fly With Me => Topic started by: Robert Shearman Jr on June 05, 2018, 07:18:43 PM

Title: VATSTAR 3rd Anniversary Summer Fun Getaway! Jun 24th 1800z, KATL-KRSW
Post by: Robert Shearman Jr on June 05, 2018, 07:18:43 PM
VATSTAR is about to enter its fourth year of operation, and to celebrate, we're taking off for a warm summer getaway!

Join us at Hartsfield International Airport in Atlanta, GA at 1800z on Sunday, June 24th, 2018, and we'll fly to Southwest Florida International Airport in Fort Meyers, FL!  Bring your jets, as the flight is 450-500nm and approximately an hour and a half long in a standard airliner.

Upon arrival at KRSW you'll hopefully be checking out the beautifully enhanced airport by our new friends LatinVFR; take a sneak peek at http://www.latinvfr.org/sceneries/south-west-florida-fort-myers-krsw-for-fsx-and-p3d/ .  One lucky winner will receive a free copy; enter simply by registering for the event (vatstar.com --> About Us --> 3rd Anniversary Flight), and by liking our Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/vatstar/).  The winner will be chosen on Saturday June 23rd so you'll have time to install the package before the event!

We'll have tons of fabulous other prizes too from other sponsors such as Aerosoft, Flightbeam Studios, FS2Crew, Just Flight, Orbx Simulation Systems, REX Simulations, and TFDi Design!

We'll see you in the sunny southeastern skies on June 24th!

https://www.facebook.com/events/227759907814599/
Title: Re: VATSTAR 3rd Anniversary Summer Fun Getaway! Jun 24th 1800z, KATL-KRSW
Post by: Sergio Lopez on June 06, 2018, 10:00:42 AM
See you in South Florida!
Title: Re: VATSTAR 3rd Anniversary Summer Fun Getaway! Jun 24th 1800z, KATL-KRSW
Post by: Robert Shearman Jr on June 24, 2018, 07:25:10 AM
We are a GO for today's Third Anniversary Summer Getaway flight from Atlanta, Georgia to Fort Myers, Florida!  Event time is 1800z which is just under six hours away!

First, I want to say a word of thanks for the incredible support for this event by our VATSTAR Training Partners; Atlanta ARTCC (ZTL), Jacksonville ARTCC (ZJX), and Miami ARTCC (ZMA).  And just behind them I have to thank some of our incredible sponsors for their generosity with the wonderful promotions and giveaways they are furnishing for us: Aerosoft, Flightbeam Studios, FS2Crew, Just Flight, LatinVFR, Orbx Simulations, REX Simulation Systems, and TFDi Designs.  IF YOU FLY FROM KATL TO KRSW DURING THE EVENT TIME WINDOW AND INCLUDE THE WORDS "VATSTAR ANNIVERSARY EVENT" IN YOUR FLIGHT PLAN REMARKS, YOU ARE AUTOMATICALLY ELIGIBLE FOR A DRAWING TO WIN SOME OUTSTANDING PRIZES FROM ANY ONE OF OUR AWESOME SPONSORS!

Our flight briefing for today is as follows:

ROUTE: KATL BANNG2 LUCKK SZW TYNEE1 KRSW
DISTANCE: 484.1nm
DURATION: approximately 1h21m, dependent upon aircraft type
CRUISE: odd-numbered thousands (eastbound)

ORIGIN: Hartsfield International Airport, Atlanta, GA, USA (KATL)
ARTCC: https://www.ztlartcc.org/
DIAGRAM: http://aeronav.faa.gov/d-tpp/1807/00026ad.pdf#nameddest=(ATL)
GATE MAP: https://travelwidget.com/terminal-maps/ATL/ATL_overview_map.png
BANNG2 SID p1: http://aeronav.faa.gov/d-tpp/1807/00026banng.pdf#nameddest=(ATL)
BANNG2 SID p2: http://aeronav.faa.gov/d-tpp/1807/00026banng_c.pdf#nameddest=(ATL)
FORECAST: 28008KT P6SM SCT035 (as of 1215z)
SCENERY: https://www.ztlartcc.org/scenery
ADDITIONAL INFO:

Generally at KATL the Ramp areas (the areas between the midfield terminals) are NOT controlled by Ground.  In the real world they are controlled by airport and airline staff; not by FAA controllers.  On VATSIM there can occasionally be a "KATL_R_GND" position logged on acting as Ramp control -- but, this is uncommon and most of the time pilots should expect to push and start at their own discretion, taxi to the north or south end of the ramp area (depending upon their assigned departure runway), and call Ground holding short of either F (north) or L (south).  The usual call to Ground would be "Atlanta Ground, {callsign} at ramp {number}{north/south}, information {atis}, taxi to runway {rwy#}."  For example, if you were assigned 27R for departure and were pushing from Gate A5 onto Ramp Area 2, you'd taxi to the south end of it and call with "Atlanta Ground, Delta 1579, Ramp Two South, Information Alpha, Taxi to Runway Two-Seven-Right."

Takeoff clearances at KATL include a verification of the pilot-nav RNAV point that is first on their assigned SID.  On the BANNG2 Departure the first point could be SNUFY, SLAWW, SKNNR, GRITZ, or WLSON depending on the assigned departure runway.  Clearance from Tower will come in this format: "{callsign,} Atlanta Tower, RNAV to {location}, wind {wind direction} at {wind speed}, runway {runway#}, cleared for takeoff."  A proper readback would include the RNAV point, the words "cleared for takeoff," the runway, and your callsign.

ATL_TWR: "Delta 1579, RNAV to SLAWW, wind 280 at eight, runway two-seven-right, cleared for takeoff."
DAL1579: "RNAV to SLAWW, cleared for takeoff two-seven-right, Delta 1579."

DESTINATION: Southwest Florida International Airport, Fort Myers, Florida, USA (KRSW)
ARTCC: http://www.zmaartcc.net/wp/
DIAGRAM: http://aeronav.faa.gov/d-tpp/1807/06757ad.pdf#nameddest=(RSW)
GATE MAP: https://www.flylcpa.com/uploads/pagesfiles/2563.gif
TYNEE1 STAR: http://aeronav.faa.gov/d-tpp/1807/00154tynee.pdf#nameddest=(RSW)
CONFIGURATION: generally arrivals use RWY6 in calm winds
APPROACHES: RWY6 (Bay Visual, ILS or LOC/DME, RNAV(GPS)); RWY24 (VOR/DME or TACAN, RNAV(GPS))
APPROACH CHARTS: (https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/flight_info/aeronav/digital_products/dtpp/search/results/?cycle=1807&ident=krsw)
FORECAST: 08007KT P6SM VCTS BKN035CB BKN100 (as of 1215z) (CAUTION: there may be thunderstorms in the vicinity upon arrival!)
SCENERY: http://www.latinvfr.org/sceneries/south-west-florida-fort-myers-krsw-for-fsx-and-p3d/
ADDITIONAL INFO:

It's important to note that the airport layout has changed significantly since the default scenery in FSX was created, so, it's a good idea to update before the event.  The default FSX scenery has the old terminal building on the north side of the airport; the new terminal building with its three prominent piers is on the south side of the field (i.e. a right turn-off if you land on RWY6).  Our sponsors LatinVFR have a very beautilly rendered version of the airport for a reaonably affordable price which does include the new, updated terminal building and many local landmarks along the Florida Gulf Coast.

Please join us in our Discord server (NOTE: we will be using Discord *INSTEAD OF* TeamSpeak for this event!) in the Public Discussion channel.  An invite link to our Discord can be found on our website under Resources --> Discord.  1800z is the meet-up time; we expect departures to commence around 1815z and hope that most everyone is airborne by around 1845z, with the last arrivals hopefully occurring by approximately 2030z.  We're looking forward to seeing you there!
Title: Re: VATSTAR 3rd Anniversary Summer Fun Getaway! Jun 24th 1800z, KATL-KRSW
Post by: Matt Bromback on June 24, 2018, 08:34:33 AM
Thanks Robert for a excellent briefing!

For those who do not know about the PDC system here is a example of what you should expect from a ATL Controller. This will come in the form of a private message, you DO NOT REPLY TO THAT MESSAGE.

-PREDEPARTURE CLEARANCE START- Flight: DAL123 BEACON: 7102 - FLIGHT LEVEL: FL330 DEPT: KATL ARR: KRSW EQUIPMENT: B738 ROUTE:  BANNG2 LUCKK SZW TYNEE1 DEP FREQ INFO: 125.700 - EXPECT runway 27R FOR DEPARTURE, ATC MAY CHANGE AT ANYTIME. JETS MAINTAIN 10K. PROPS MAINTAIN 4K - PUSH AND START ARE AT PILOT'S DISCRETION - PRE DEPARTURE CLEARANCE END-

In bold are the important items to note such as beacon code (turn on your transponder before you call ground), the expected runway assignment, which preferred runway is 27R/09L going to RSW, and if your a Jet (most likely) your initial altitude is 10,000.

Also some alternate routes may be used if traffic becomes saturated, if this occurs ATL_DEL or ATL_GND will provide alternate routing, if you are able to accept it will expedite your departure off the ground. Here are 2 alternative routes to watch out for:

KATL GAIRY2 IRQ AMG SHFTY2 KRSW
KATL POUNC2 POUNC GRGIA ARNNY CEW J2 SZW TYNEE1 KRSW

The purpose of these routes will be to expedite you off the ground and limit ground departure delays to the same destination. If you can accept the route it will be sent over PDC to you as a new clearance.

Thanks and looking forward to seeing everyone later today!
Title: Re: VATSTAR 3rd Anniversary Summer Fun Getaway! Jun 24th 1800z, KATL-KRSW
Post by: Robert Shearman Jr on June 24, 2018, 04:51:44 PM
CCCRRRAAAZZZYYY

Well now we know what happens when we get help from VATUSA and VATSIM to publicize our event, LOL -- at least 60 showed up if not more!  We'll have some fun this week sorting out who was "officially" part of the event (by virtue of "VATSTAR THIRD ANNIVERSARY FLIGHT" in the remarks) and is thus eligible for one of our drawings.  We'll contact the winners via email.

THANK YOU to the AMAZING controller staff from ZTL, ZJX, and ZMA who helped reign in the chaos (as best as they could) and to all of the wonderful pilots who flew along!
Title: Re: VATSTAR 3rd Anniversary Summer Fun Getaway! Jun 24th 1800z, KATL-KRSW
Post by: Matt Bromback on June 24, 2018, 05:17:21 PM
CCCRRRAAAZZZYYY

Well now we know what happens when we get help from VATUSA and VATSIM to publicize our event, LOL -- at least 60 showed up if not more!  We'll have some fun this week sorting out who was "officially" part of the event (by virtue of "VATSTAR THIRD ANNIVERSARY FLIGHT" in the remarks) and is thus eligible for one of our drawings.  We'll contact the winners via email.

THANK YOU to the AMAZING controller staff from ZTL, ZJX, and ZMA who helped reign in the chaos (as best as they could) and to all of the wonderful pilots who flew along!

Indeed it was!!

Whenever you can would you be able to post and/or email me what your organization's pilots average taxi time was in ATL? Just rough estimates would be great!

Thanks!
Title: Re: VATSTAR 3rd Anniversary Summer Fun Getaway! Jun 24th 1800z, KATL-KRSW
Post by: Robert Shearman Jr on June 24, 2018, 05:39:40 PM
I'm gonna take a stab & say 20-25 minutes, but I'll get some more firm data & get back with you.
Title: Re: VATSTAR 3rd Anniversary Summer Fun Getaway! Jun 24th 1800z, KATL-KRSW
Post by: Robert Shearman Jr on June 27, 2018, 06:14:39 AM
would you be able to post and/or email me what your organization's pilots average taxi time was in ATL? Just rough estimates would be great!
I'm gonna take a stab & say 20-25 minutes, but I'll get some more firm data & get back with you.
Hi Matt -- I think 20-25 minutes is a good median.  Responses were anywhere from 5-6 minutes (from a few that were snuck out on different runways) on up to and including 40-ish minutes.  15-40 was more the norm, it seemed.

That being said, we definitely understand that turnout was SUBSTANTIALLY higher than we planned for, and felt that the staffs at KATL and KRSW in particular both did amazing jobs in handling it.  We've had nothing but positive comments about all of the ATC services from ZTL and ZMA, without exception.