Rainbird Captains,

As promised, here is some very important news about Rainbird.

In the past they have developed their own software for everything from checkrides to ACARS. They have an excellent set of training resources. MidCon has two FAA licensed RW dispatchers on staff who provide FAA style releases for flights exactly like in the real world. MidCon’s devotion to realism is second to none. During this merger MidCon will be cutting over to our VAFS3 system for pilot reporting. We will still utilize MCA’s training regimen, tools, and pilot advancement system. More on this in a moment…

MidCon Express

Rainbird will not go away. Rainbird will now become MidCon Express (Operated by Rainbird Airlines). Rainbirds’ Express fleet will consist of two separate fleets. One domestic, which will be based in Kansas City, and the other based in the Hawaiian Islands. The planes in the KMCI fleet will be the ATR and the EMB 145 and will serve smaller destinations in the US as well as the Caribbean. The Hawaiian operations will have a fleet that consists of the B737, ATR and 727 and will serve as an Island hopper service… MidCon Express will be a wholly owned subsidiary and will have a slightly different pilot realism program.

As of now the MCX fleet will consist of just the EMB145 for domestic service. The ATR will be used only in the Caribbean out of a small San Juan hub, and in Hawaii out of a small Honolulu Hub. The B737-800 will be operated by mainline as part of “MidCon Micronesia" out of Honolulu only, and the 727F will be part of the 121 supplemental operation, to be flown by qualified mainline pilots.

MidContinent Airlines

MidCon is an advanced simulated airline. The realism found here will amaze you! The CEO of MidCon is a real world Part 121 Dispatcher who works for a major U.S. airline. The second dispatcher works for a different U.S. carrier. They bring the real world experience to your door. The Mainline will all be hubbed at KMCI. The Fleet consists of only three birds, A320-214, B752 and B763. All of the leadership at MidCon are devoted to giving their pilots the best and in keeping with that philosophy; pilots are expected to be very serious about the realism aspects and their employment. I have been a member of MCA for a year or two and find this airline a great learning experience and an operation with the type of immersion that I had hoped to one day bring to Rainbird. Well… today is that day!

Membership and Ranks

MidCon operates as if in the real world. With that thought in mind, they offer only two ranks for pilots, First Officer and Captain. All Rainbird pilots will start as First Officers despite their current rank at Rainbird. (Myself included) Rainbird pilots will keep their seniority dates.

One major difference to consider is that MidCon uses a “type rating” system that has a pilot flying one type of aircraft. At first glance this may seem restrictive, but if it realism you want this helps immensely.

Members, new or old, can choose to be pilots at one (1) of the airlines. No one can fly for both. This mimics the RW as well since in a modern commercial pilot’s career path, most pilots will fly for a regional to build hours. Switching from Express to Mainline is not hour reliant however. You can apply for the Mainline any time you choose, including now during this transition period. All pilots requesting Mainline will be subject to a “new hire” checkride, basic testing and IOE completion. Don’t be worried guys… If I can pass the checkride… I know you can!

Even though some may feel that this is not fair, please remember the goal of MCA is learning how to do it in the real world where seniority date is the key driver, not past rank or even hours.

Call signs

RBDxxx will cease to exist as our callsign in VAFS. Those flying for Express will use MCXxxx and those in mainline will use MCAxxx.

What happens next?

Well, as you can imagine there is a lot of work to do… Mainly cutting over the website to MCA and setting up routes. You will start to see these changes immediately.

The Rainbird callsigns will still work so if you want to fly under Rainbird for now you can. This will end once I finish loading the MCA and MCX routes. At that time all of our old routes will be taken down. I will not take any of the fleet down until I have completed the routes and the MCA fleet.

I will continue to communicate with Rainbird Pilots at our forums. You will eventually see a link for MidCon forums. Once the transition is nearing completion, I will take down the Rainbird portion and leave a link to the Multi Crew Experience forum which I am hosting for fans of this program.

You are probably wondering why they would use VAFS if they have their own system. The answer is that some of the founding members have left due to RW commitments. Maintaining their old system is much more time consuming than VAFS. While we will use some of the features, we will not use the flight tracker. This is not to say that VAFS will be the “forever” solution. This may change at some time in the future… and then again…maybe not.

Anticipated closure of Rainbird flights? Somewhere in the next 10 or so days.


On a personal note

As I have come to know all of you, I have truly appreciated your display of camaraderie, loyalty and friendship. As most of you may recall I had discussed on several occasions the desire I had for Rainbird to become more reality based. I struggled greatly trying to keep things interesting after our ranks dwindled. This merger with MidCon makes that happen quickly and I will have others who work with to support this common endeavor. As I am sure you can imagine, running a good VA is more than a one man job!
I know this move is risky in the sense that some of you may not join MCA. I am truly hoping this is not the case. But if it is, please know your time was well spent here with friends that enjoy flying heavier iron and in particular long range ATP style aircraft.

In Closing

Please understand that I did not make this decision lightly. I have been wondering for a while now how to personally benefit from the time I spend in this hobby. Merging with MCA fulfills all of the thoughts I had for Rainbird and increases my enjoyment. I know all of you can understand that sentiment.

I truly hope you will give the new expanded operation a try.


My Best Always, Jeff Stewart – RBD001

looking forward to new tihngs boss.

Super Ken!! Glad you are staying.

I have heard from Mark and Pappy and they have opted to move on...

Please let me know via email or PM if you would like to stay on at the airline... Or you may post here.

Oh...and fella's, this MidCon group is top notch, both in knowledge and people!! I know you will like them... so give it some thought!!

Thanks guys.

Jeff

Jeff, I applied at Mid Continent, so I am waiting on that. I am looking forward to giving it a try. I have enjoyed flying for Rainbird.


Jeff

Excellent Jeff!!!! I will make sure your seniority date is correct.

Thanks!

Captains,

for those wondering here is an excerpt from the new site about pilot requirements



What does it take to be a Mainline MidCon Pilot?

General Description:

MidContinent Airlines Pilots fly high performance jet aircraft, which are among the most sophisticated aircraft in commercial aviation today. Our Pilots are ultimately responsible for transporting MidContinent Airlines customers to their destination by delivering what has become known as “The MidContinent Airlines Experience”. To be successful, the duties of our crewmembers must be carried out in accordance with the values on which our company is built – none more important than that of SAFETY! Upgrade to Captain is estimated to be between 12 and 18 months.

Skills/Experience:

All applicants must be able to speak, read and write English and possess excellent communication skills. A working knowledge of Acrobat Reader and the ability to use browsers effectively are essential elements to the successful completion of our rigorous training program. Successful candidates embrace the concept of thinking "outside the box" in order to find ways to say "YES" to our customers. You should mentally 'raise the bar' on your views regarding the airline industry's concept of CRM (Crew Resource Management). At MidContinent Airlines, we refer to CRM as "Company Resource Management" because company-wide interface is a way of life for all of our people

Some of the Minimum Qualification:

* VFR Flight Skills equivalent to a Commercial Certificate Holder

* IFR Flight Skills including : o ILS Landings o Enroute Navigation o Basic ATC Communications Skills

* Understanding of ATC procedures including printed SID, STAR and Instrument Approach Procedures

* In possesion of at least Microsoft's FS2002/FS2004/FSX

* Adequate System to run above programs

* Most of all, a willingness and enthusiasm to learn and experience the most realistic airline operations available anywhere.

After alot of thought and consideration and the fact Jeff will no longer be our boss,im moving on.I wish each and every one of you the very best in your new venture over at mdcon,Im going to miss Rainbird.But I understand AND respect Jeff's decision to close,THe truth be known I judt dont meet all the requirments that the staff at the new va require,take care everybody ,keep your wings level and blue skies.

Best wishes to you Ken... Keep in touch.. I will do the same!

Jeff

Well Ihave rethought it and have decided to stay and give the new format a try.Hell im only 45.still young enough to learn something new

Hello to all the Rainbird pilots!!!

My name is Murray Wheten and I am an MCA pilot (the last to join before this merger - I think). Anyway, I would like to take this opportunity to say Hello (which I've done) and to ask you to "seriously consider" staying with us. You DO NOT need to be a genius to fly with/ for MCA. I'm certainly not... a genius that is! Even if, at this moment, you believe that MCA would not be a good fit for you, I am pretty sure you would find that to be untrue, if you give us a try.

Now, I am not saying that going through the process is effortless, because it does take "some" effort. But the feeling of accomplishment you get when you successfully complete each stage of the process, is MORE than worth the effort.

And, for those of you who feel you're "too old", well, I'm 51 (going on 15), and so far, my age has not been a factor.

Anyway, please at least "think" about what I have said. If you have ANY questions, please don't hesitate to ask. And remember, "there is no such thing as a dumb question" (well, we all know that's not true - but ask anyway!!!! )

Murray "Moo" Wheten
Pilot# 512
(Airbus Driver)