Brandon,

Everything you need to know and do is included in your welcome emails from vZAU.  Take some time to read through all of the material and you will be on course to controlling before you know it.

Nate.

All:

I am pleased to announce vZAU's new DATM, Scott DeWoody!  Scott has been selected to take over Jeff's position when Jeff resigns and for now the two will work side by side during this transition time.  A thank you to all of those who applied.  The decision was a tough one.

Welcome aboard Scott!

Colton,

I use a poor man's version of a PTT and headset.  I am sure others will reply with their fancy Plantronics real world headsets (which I would love to have) and foot switches.  A while back I was looking into purchasing a foot switch.  I found that the cost really wasn't worth the reward for me. Espically when I found my poor man's work around.

I have a Creative Fatal1ty USB headset.  Was like $60 when I bought it a few years back. I recommend USB headsets as the virtually act like a second sound card and allows you to route whatever you want through it.  For me I have my Teamspeak chatter coming through my headset and my Primary Frequency coming through my Speakers.  That way if I need to ignore TS I can just slip the headset off my ears and provide my full attention to my primary frequency.

For my PTT I use my pedals that I use when flying.  Any will work.  I use a program caled JoyToKey to turn my pedals into a PTT.  It takes inputs from your Joysitck Axis' and turns them into keyboard or mouse presses.  My left pedal is my PTT for Euroscope and my right pedal is set as my PTT for Teamspeak.  It works out great.

Hope that helps.

If you are using the server address containing voice.zauartcc.org for Teamspeak it will not let you log in.  That functionality went with the server switch as well....as soon as we get all of the files copied to the new server we will regain full functionality.

I would like to welcome Mr. Dan Leavitt to the position of ZAU Training Administrator.  Dan has been a long time member of ZAU and has also served many terms as a ZAU Instructor.  Welcome aboard Dan!

Does anyone know why the FMC won't calculate T/D?? I'm serious, nothing else is wrong, it just doesn't calculate descents. It only calculated the desc maybe once.

I have had this same problem.....the only solution was to make sure you insert an arrival runway before you depart.  Once the arrival runway is in and any discontinuities are removed it will calculate the TD.  However, i have ran into issues if ATC give me a crossing restriction that is not planned.  It seems like the FMC does not know how to handle it and will not descend.  The FMC looks just like it should...but it will not descend.  I then have to switch to V/S mode and put the plane in a dive to get back where I need to be.  Sometimes the PATH descent mode will work but that seems to be hit and miss.

I can't imagine that this would be a programming error on IFLY's side...so I feel i am missing something....but I have never had this problem with the PMDG....you never had to input an arrival runway until you wanted.  And you could set as many crossing restrictions as you needed and the plane would follow.

Maybe someone else has had this same issue and can help out.

Gary has stated on numerous occassions his desire to return to a more simple staff structure, and that's what he has done.

Bryan,

That is fine.   That is his decision and he has every right to make that. I feel that most members would be ok with this decision.  But how are we as members supposed to know this is the philosophy of our Director if we are not informed of this decision.  Where is he saying this? He obviously talked to you about this which is awesome.  But what are we supposed to go off of?  The only thing we have as of current..... is the past.  Out of human nature we will base the current happenings off of what has happened in the past unless we are told otherwise.

I may have missed this information in a post somewhere but i have searched and have not found anything.  

I do not discredit any of the work that is being done or has been done or will be done.  But i dont think that what Mike or other members are asking for is too much.  Just a simple update.  "Hey members.  This is where VATUSA is headed"....ect  That is all.

Do you have a VA?  Do you think your VA could be considered the best VA in ZAU?  Well then you are going to have the chance to show what you got.

ZAU is currently planning a huge Battle of the VA's event for February 5th 2011 from 1800z-0200z.  What I need now is for any VA interested in being involved to send me an email ([email protected])  stating their interest.  I will then be forwarding on the point system layout and the rules for the event.  I will also be reaching out for any suggestions that the VA's might have to make it better. In order to claim the bragging rights of being the Best VA' in ZAU, you will need to have your VA registered for the event.

So you think your VA has what it takes? Any VA interested in the challenge and the fun competition between the other VA's, please shoot me an email with your VA's name and a person of contact and their email address.

Titles issued will be:

ZAU's Best overall VA
ZAU's Best Passenger VA
ZAU's Best Cargo VA