Air Lift Australia

This hub is based on the Microsoft Flight Simulator 98, 2000 and 2002; however there is no reason that users of earlier versions of Microsoft Flight Simulator cannot be part of Air Lift Australia, provided users have the appropriate scenery.

The Air Lift Australia Hub covers the whole spectrum of virtual flight, from long haul trans oceanic flights, to short haul regional flights. Air Lift Australia’s flight schedules are based on several major Oceanic regional airlines, and are serviced with similar category aircraft.

This manual has been produced for, and relates mostly, to the specific procedures for Air Lift Australia pilots.

Every Friday night at 2000 AEST or 1000 UTC the weekly newsletter detailing the previous weeks activities, flying hours and other major news subjects is posted. This newsletter will include items such as the total hours flown for the VA, along with promotions, transfers and up coming special events. It also includes the CEO, Dir of Ops, and CFI reports.

A list of available flights will be posted on the website administration page, and all pilots are to make there flight bids by filling out the on line flight bid form, using the assigned flight number as a reference.

All pilots must file a PIREP for each flight before another flight will be allocated.

The method of completing each assignment is up to the individual pilot, however on line flight with VATSIM/VATPAC is encouraged, all that is required is the freeware add-on, Squawkbox which is available from the VATPAC website, and this will enable the pilot to experience "as real as it gets" ATC for their flight. VATPAC provides virtual ATC services for the Australia/New Zealand pacific region. Squawkbox also provides real world weather updates every five minutes.

Air Lift Australia operates an automated PIREP system for filing all pilot reports. The Pilot Reports are lodged at the Air Lift Australia website, it is an easy to use form. Enter the required information in the spaces provided and then press the submit button once. All calculations of flight hours and total fuel burnt, is done automatically from the information provided and added to the weekly report. It is important to remember to file your flight report using the flight number allocated in the assignment, otherwise the system may carry over the flight to the next week as being incomplete. All pilot reports for the previous week are available for public viewing on the Air Lift Australia website.

If for whatever reason the PIREP system is not operational, please email pilot reports to the hub Management team at scullen@bigpond.net.au by 1800 AEST (0800 UTC) every Friday. The email should contain the following information:

All reports should have the subject: ALA ##### RPT [date] (##### is your pilot number)

Flight Number

Departure point (ICAO)

Destination (ICAO)

Aircraft used (ICAO)

Off blocks (brakes off) time UTC

On Blocks (brakes on) time UTC

Flight time (HH:MM)

Fuel used (nearest 100 pounds)

Total time this report

Total fuel this report

ALA 001 01/08/2002

ALA11 YSSY KLAX B744 0445 1815 13:35 220,000

Total flight time this report 13:35

Total fuel this report 220,000 pounds

All PIREP’s must be filed by 1800 AEST each Friday to ensure they are included in weekly report and update.

When filing a PIREP, it is necessary to convey the most information about your flight in the smallest possible space. Because the nature of the data that you submit, the most flexible is the flight number. By using a variety of Flight Number Call signs in reporting more precise information can be gathered about the flight.

ALA001 – 5100 cargo flights

ALACHTR – charter flights

ALASOPS – Special ops flights, delivery flights, must be pre approved prior to filing

VATPAC call signs; as the use of the VATPAC/VATSIM network becomes more widespread the regulation of Air Lift Air call signs has become necessary.

All Air Lift Australia pilots have the choice of using either assigned flight number or their pilot ID number as their call sign. E.g. a pilot assigned the flight ALA125 with the pilot ID of 365, can use either ALA125, or ALA365

Some special VATPAC events may require the use of a different VATPAC issued call sign, these situations use the call sign issued by the controller.

Regardless of call sign used, all PIREP’s must be filed with the correct flight number to ensure accurate flight reporting.

The destinations serviced by Air Lift Australia are divided into four main areas, International, Domestic, Regional and charter.

Current International destinations include:

Adelaide                           Darwin

Auckland                       Christchurch

Bali                                          Singapore

Brisbane                           Coollangatta

Buenos Aires             Mumbai

Cairns                                Melbourne

Dunedin                        Hamilton

Guam                               Honolulu

Honiara                         Nauru

Hong Kong              Bangkok

Jakarta                          Dili

London                       Johannesburg

Mount Hagen   Nadzab

Nadi                              Nuku’alofa

Nagoya                     Manila

New York               Los Angeles

Palmerston North                                                       Wellington

Paris                                                                                                 Rome

Perth                                                                                              Norfolk Island

Pohnpei                                                                                      Taipei

Port Moresby                                                                     Vancouver

Port Vila                                                                                  Noumea

Sydney                                                                                            Shanghai

Tarawa Island                                                                      Apia

Tokyo                                                                                              Kansai

Uvea Island

Typically, International flights are serviced by our long range Boeing equipment:

B747-400F

B757F

B727-200F

C17 Globemaster III

When necessary these aircraft are augmented by smaller aircraft such as the B737-400.

Current domestic destinations include:

Ayres Rock/Uluru                                                                                                                                                                   Alice Springs

Brisbane                                                                                                                                                                                                 Coollangatta

Broome                                                                                                                                                                                                     Townsville

Cairns                                                                                                                                                                                                         Hamilton Island

Emerald                                                                                                                                                                                                    Gladstone

Longreach                                                                                                                                                                                              Hobart

Mackay                                                                                                                                                                                                     Proserpine

Melbourne                                                                                                                                                                                           Adelaide

Mount Isa                                                                                                                                                                                            Maroochydore

Paraburdoo                                                                                                                                                                                        Darwin

Perth                                                                                                                                                                                                          Canberra

Sydney

Aircraft operating these routes include:

B727-200F

B737-400

B747-400F

B757F

A320

Aircraft utilised in the regional flight role are;

DHC 8-300

C17 Globemaster III

Charter flights make up the last part of the Air Lift Australia service. By definition, charter flights are that are not on the International, Domestic, Regional or Cargo schedules, and can be between any two ports worldwide. They can be flown in any aircraft in the Air Lift Air Fleet. Air Lift Australia accepts charter contracts several times each year, and they are open to any pilot. If a pilot has a request for a charter flight, please email the Hub Management team for flight confirmation and approval.

Pilot Training and Accreditation

All pilots joining Air Lift Australia Hub are required to undergo check flights, before moving on to the larger category aircraft.

Generally, pilots are restricted to the following categories of aircraft, until a satisfactory check flight has been passed.

Initial appointment to Air Lift Australia aircrew is at the rank of Flight Captain

Flight Captain and Senior Captain (0 – 100 hours)  Bronze wings

Boeing 727-200

Boeing 737-400

Airbus A320

Dash 8-300

Progression to the next stage is after completion of 80 hours total flight time, with at least 45 hours in one of the above listed aircraft. A check flight in the Boeing 747-400 is also required before regular air routes will be assigned.

Senior Flight Captain and above (more than 100 hours) Silver wings

Boeing 747-200/400F

Boeing 757-200F

Boeing C17 Globemaster III  (requires dirt strip certification)

The full range of Ranks are:

Flight Captain (Bronze wings)

Senior Captain

Senior Flight Captain (Silver Wings)

Commercial Captain

Senior Commercial Captain

Airline Transport Pilot (ATP)

Senior Airline Transport Pilot (Gold Wings, executive member)

All pilots will have unrestricted access to aircraft categories below their current level.

All pilots will be subject to regular review, and maybe required from time to time to submit check flights to ensure that flight skills are kept up to date.

Pilots transferring to Air Lift Australia may have their previous VA hours taken into account when joining, but no one will be given a rank higher than Senior Captain prior to completing the required check flights for the rank being sought.

Air Lift Australia Fleet

The Australian hub operates a mixture of aircraft to suit the unique climate and landscapes found in Australia. The principle aircraft currently operating in Australia are:

A320

B727-200F

B737-400F

B747-200/400

B757-2C7F – Air Lift Air Cargo

C17 Globemaster III

DHC 8-300

Sydney International Airport parking at the International Cargo hanger        Brisbane International Airport parking at the ALA hangers

The above pictures represent the parking bays used by Air Lift Australia pilots, at Sydney International Terminal, and at the dedicated ALA cargo hangers at Brisbane

The following websites provide quality shareware, freeware products and information.

www.flightsim.com for aircraft, panels and scenery

http://takeoff.to/AirLiftAustralia for Air Lift Australia for the ALA web site

www.vatsim.net for information about online ATC services

www.vatpac.org for information regarding ATC in the Pacific region

© 2002

This manual and all of its contents are provided to enhance the enjoyment of the simulated airline experience, and are the property of Air Lift Australia. No portions of this manual maybe reproduced, copied, transmitted, republished in any form without the express written permission of the Air Lift Australia Management.