Crews,

I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself and pass along a little information regarding MidContinent Airlines and our operational philosophy.

About me: 43 years old currently residing in the garden spot known as Pittsburgh PA. I'm a Senior International Flight Dispatcher for US Airways with 13 years experience. Former carriers I've worked with are America West Airlines (pre-merger) and Mesa Airlines.

I'm current and dispatch qualified on the following equipment:
B737-300/400, A319/320/321, A330, B757-200, B767-200, E190.
Qualified but not current on B1900D, Dash-8 200/300, Canadair Regional Jet.

I bring to the table a practical working knowledge of how real major airlines run on a day to day basis as well as what it takes to transfer that knowledge over into a simulated setting. I've been involved with flight simulation since 1986 and SubLogic's Flight Simulator 2, back before it was acquired from SubLogic /Bruce Artwick. I've logged thousands of simulated flight hours over the last 23 years and I've been involved with beta test work for such notable products as Radar Contact, and PMDG's 737NG. I have been at the helm of the current MidCon nearly 10 years.

About MidCon: MidContinent Airlines is likely the second oldest airline operating on the web today behind SunAir Express, the world's first "virtual airline". http://www.sunairexpress.com/index.html

MidCon was originally founded in part by our own Tonny Koops circa 1993/94 as a supplemental cargo carrier to compliment the passenger operations at SunAir. We have existed in one form or another for the last 15 years.

Our goal has always been simple. Provide the most operationally realistic airline environment possible within the limitations of flight simulation. Over the last decade MidCon has pioneered several of the features common to other VA's today, such as the first functional ACARS unit. One of the features that set us apart in the early days was our FAR 121 compliant flight dispatch for every flight, a feature that is still in many ways unique to MCA.

Our most recent addition in the last two years is the introduction of a part 121 compliant new hire ground school that includes such things as Category II/III instrument approach training, ETOPS training, and a phased initial operating experience (IOE) before sign-off for line flying, along with quarterly type-specific recurrent training.

I'll be honest and say we have received some criticism in the past for being "too difficult", but most of that criticism has come from individuals who were expecting a "sign up and fly" airline. They were unwilling to invest a little time learning about facets of commercial aviation that they were previously not exposed to. After all, greater knowledge of real world procedure can only enhance the enjoyment of our hobby, can it not?

I'm very much looking forward to getting to know those of you who choose to remain onboard with MidCon and I look forward to working with you.

Please post any questions you may have to this thread and I'll be more than happy to answer them.

Michael Collier
CEO MidContinent Airlines

Good to hear from you sir and looking forward to along time of flying with your va.But I do have a question for you.It sounds to me like you have a very impressive training program.Well,I have over 1200 hours virtual flying but I have to admit up til now the have all been direct gps with a visual approach.Its been all ive needed up til now,I hae always wante to get the rest of the training done,And I think your va may just be able to help me with that,Is your va set up to teach a fellow thats been flying one way to fly the way your va is setup.If so,Im looking forward to getting to know you and also look forward to moving my virtual career into a new path.

Ken,

Thanks for the reply. I'm sure we can get you up to speed with where you want/need to be.

Since you're part of the RBD/MCA merger you'll be integrated into the seniority list without having to complete our new hire ground school. However, if you would LIKE to do it just for the education/entertainment factor I can certainly send it to you.

For grins, here is the syllabus that all of our new hire pilots must "endure". The 121 numbers in bold are the FAR reference associated with each section. There are 8 written exams for the ground school portion. One written exam and a sim check for the CAT II/III module, and a written exam for the ETOPS/International module.



This may look a little daunting at first, but remember, this was not designed to be completed in one evening, or even one week. All of the materials are available and exams are open book, no time limit. We do encourage questions since our goal is to have everyone learn something that they didn't know before, thereby making them a better/safer pilot for MidContinent Airlines.

If you decide you'd like to try this course I'd be happy to email it to you.

Regards,

Mike C.

Yes I would be interested in taking your program and im looking forward to getting inot the air,

I would be interested in seeing that also.

Jeff

Just need an email for you and it'll be on the way.

Mike

Email is Jeffsturgeon9@aol.com

Thank you

Excellent guys.... we get ever closer to launch to launch day!! Thanks for contacting the Rainbird crews and filling them in Mike!!

Jeff