Captains and Friends,

It is with a heavy heart that I must share the news that I will be closing Rainbird effective immediately. The reasons are many-fold but the bottom line is simple. We only have 2-3 forum visits per day and our flights continue to decline. Reorganization attempts have not drawn pilots nor has advertising or reaching out to pilots that I know.

Unlike many prior VA's I have watched or belonged to, I won't allow this one to flounder in such a way that all pilots will eventually leave. I just don't have the heart to see her die that way.

What will remain?

The website. I will modify it to indicate that operations are suspended. I will leave a link to pilot hours so those of you needing verification for new VA jobs will have your total hours available.

Will you cancel VAFS?

No, in order to keep the hours visible I must renew VAFS (completed) and that way I don't lose the planes or the money you helped Rainbird earn. If you are so inclined, you may still fly under the Rainbird banner. This will continue on indefinitely. I will leave links to schedules and the map. I am dismantling the textures/fleet page. If you wish for any of the textures please get them now or email me for them. I will hang on to all of them.

What about the forums?

The forums will remain open but there will only header, "The Rainbird Room." I will move all "old posts" there for reference. You may discuss things there if you wish. I will be there often but there will be no Rainbird support given.

Will Rainbird reopen?

Yes. At some point in the not too distant future.

(I reserve the rights to the name "Rainbird," "Rainbird Virtual," and the basic concept of a VA using the name "Rainbird.")

I am going to do a business plan that will entail the VA I had hoped Rainbird would become. I will be reaching out to others I have met over the internet, here at Rainbird and at other VA's for advice and help. The new VA will strive for total realism including dispatch and bidding. This may take awhile but the "new" Rainbird will be a structured and professional VA but will remain the friendly and fun place I believe Rainbird was.

As I stated in the salutation, I consider all of the Rainbird Captains and past volunteers to be top-notch pilots and friends. As I visit other forums around the net one thing remains clear... This was (is) a great bunch of folks! We were always free of the sniping and backbiting that make this hobby tiresome. It has been my distinct pleasure to fly with all of you. An honor in fact!

Blue Skies my friends!

Jeff