PACIFIC AIR CARGO

OPERATIONS HANDBOOK

CONTENTS Operational Overview Pilot Employment Earning a Living Company Improvements Cargo Runs Missions How it all comes together

Operational Overview

The idea behind Pacific Air Cargo (PAC) is to create a flight simulation airline that not only can you fly for, but have a say in how it develops. So many virtual airlines out there are hop in and jet into the skies. You never really get to enjoy what the simulation world has to offer. In addition, it lacks a lot of the realism of the actual flying experience. What we are trying to do is make PAC as real a flying experience as possible. With the help of all the pilots, we hope to build this as your VA. To help do this, we use Squawk Box and Pro Controller. These are excellent programs that bring you real weather and real life ATC. Pilots, flying on Squawk Box, will be required to do a flight plan that will take them to their destination and return back to the base.  All of this must be done in accordance with Squawk Box rules. For those pilots that are new to Squawk Box, we have put a link to them on the bottom of each page. It is up to the pilot to learn how to use it. We will answer any questions and help in any way that we can. We felt that the people at SATCO (Squawk Box and Pro Controller) have done a far better job at designing a training program than we ever could. Good job people.

Once a pilot reaches 100 hours with the company, he will have earned some money, which, if he chooses, he can invest in the company and become a stockholder, we are in the process of working out the details. Then, the pilot can participate as much or as little as he would like.

As the pilots fly the missions, the revenue, minus pilot wages, commissions and bonuses, that are generated, will go into a Virtual Bank account. New planes, aircraft lease fees, airport improvements etc., will be taken out of this account. When new planes or a longer runway are wanted, a ballot will be sent to the pilots, or discussed on the message board and voted on. When a ballot is sent out, there will be a 3-day deadline. At the end of that time we will do what the majority has decided, whether it is to buy, not to buy, or just wait. All the prices will be set from the real world. If a new plane is listed as $100,000.00 on a web site some place, that is what we can expect to pay. If a pilot sees it for less on another page, he can send us the web site and we will use that price. You know the saying "Think Quality, but accept low bid ".

Our story line is built on the assumption that this company will grow into a major business and as such, have some of the same difficulties. The difference here is that we can generate a constant flow of revenue. Our customers are very loyal to us. We are going to try to incorporate all types of aircraft. We recognize that some like helicopters a lot more than fixed wing. And some like jets over props. We are going to try to create situations that will fit each type of aircraft.

Pilot Employment

To start, the pilot will need to fill out the application form and submit it. The pilot will be assigned a Pilot ID number. This number will be used for his flights. For example, my flights are listed as PAC143. As I am not very familiar with automating a web page, all applications will be dealt with by hand. The new pilot will be sent the URL of our download page where they will be able to download their first aircraft, the Piper Navajo PA-31, and also  the Pacific Airport Scenery as well as the scenery for our new Salt Lake City Hub.  As the pilot builds hours, he will be able to download our other aircraft, and as the situation warrants other files. As the Airport changes due to expansion etc., a new files will be available for download.

Earning a Living

When a pilot starts, he will be earning 20% of the freight charge after fuel deductions; this will be considered his commission and also his/her  wage. When a pilot reaches a minimum of 100 hours, he has the option at that time to buy into the company by purchasing stock at the current rate. This will entitle him to have a voice in how the company is run as well as stock bonuses. In addition, if the pilot decides that he would like to improve his aircraft, the can lease with option to buy if he chooses. In this case, the pilot will buy or lease one of the aircraft we have listed. It is a bare bones aircraft. The aircraft will be customized with the pilot's I.D. number and sent to him. It will have a bare bones IFR panel. The pilot can go to the PAC Store(under construction) to purchase upgrades for his aircraft. Sending in a purchase request does this. The new panel.cfg file and the gauge file will be zipped and sent to him.

We are aware that a lot of pilots have the knowledge and skills involved in modifying panels and aircraft. But we ask you all to stay in the spirit of the company and accept the challenge of flying with what you can afford. If you find that the panel is unrealistic, contact us and see if we can?t fix this. The autopilot is a useful tool. We have them in the company aircraft. But if you purchase an aircraft, you will have to buy your own.

Company Improvements

Pacific Air Cargo has been in operation since May 1999.  We now have over 50 pilots and have gone through a host of aircraft.  We started with a Piper PA-31, which we still have, and a Boeing CH-47D helicopter which the government was nice enough to provide.  Shortly after we started, the government came and took the CH-47D back and left us with a beat up Bell 212.  (Wasn't that nice of them.)  We then purchased a DC-3 from Belgum, and a DHC-6 Twin Otter.  These served us well, but as time passed and our operations grew, we found that we needed larger and faster aircraft.  In April of 2001, we leased several aircraft.  These aircraft can haul from 1600 lbs. to 55000 lbs. of cargo.  But in order to pay for all these aircraft, we found it nessesary to revise our company structure.  We sold the DC-3 and the DHC-6 and used the revenue from those sales, plus $400,000.00 from the general fund to pay for airport improvments.  Our company is growing slowly, but it has been a lot of fun.

Cargo Runs

The way the standard cargo runs will be set up is this. We will post the Air Waybill on the dispatch board. This will contain some basic information such as point of departure and destination. Type of cargo and total weight. And what the company is charging for that run. The pilot will need to start from the Pacific Airport or Salt Lake City Hub, and fly to his destination to pick up his cargo and begin his flight. This is the same for all flights. They will originate at Pacific Airport or Salt Lake City and end at Pacific Airport or Salt Lake City. Say the flight is listed from KPDX to KSEA. Your flight plan might look like this: KPAC, KPDX.  Then a new flight plan from KPDX, BTG, OLM, and KSEA. Then you will have to do the return flight. As KPDX is only about 48 miles east of the airport, it should not take too long.  We have recently added other missions that will allow you to drop off cargo at an airport, then pick up another load to fly to your next destination.  This will allow some to maximize revenue by elimination "dead-head" runs.

The weather for the Pacific Airport is taken from Astoria and then overlaid on our airport.  So when the ceiling at Astoria is below 816 feet, we are "Socked In".  In the event that Pacific Airport is "Socked In", meaning the visibility is to limited to land, the pilot can land at one of two alternate airports.  Astoria, which is located just northwest of Pacific Airport, or Portland International Airport.  These alternate airports are only valid if the pilot is flying using Squawk Box, and is directed there by the Air Traffic Controller.

Missions

The government has contracted with us to do some flights for them. These flights, needless to say, are usually of the type that will not be of the normal routine. These missions will be low level, and have some inherent risk. Low level, bad weather, etc. That is why they call us. These missions will be posted when available, and are open to pilots with at least 50 hours. They could be fixed wing or helicopter. They will all start from a place called Timberwolf Base, which is located in Utah. (Scenery Available with Mission).

How It All Comes Together

Well, now that you are starting to get interested, here is how it all works.  To start with you apply for your Pilot ID number. When you receive your number, you will also receive access to a number of zip files, containing your aircraft,  and the Scenery for the Pacific Airport and Salt Lake City Hub.

Then, you go to our web page and enter the "Dispatch" page to select a flight. The first few in each catagory are daily flights and will not change much. These are good to make some cash when you do not want to fly a long mission. It also helps when you have flown all the other missions and are awaiting new ones.

Once you have downloaded the Cargo Manifest, you get set up in your plane at the PAC Base (Pacific Airport) or the SLC Hub..

Fill your fuel tanks and make your flight plan so as to land at each of the designated airports. Then log onto Squawk Box, file your flight plan, and when cleared, takeoff. * * * IMPORTANT* * * As soon as you lift off, start recording your time.  Use the clock in the aircraft, remember about crossing time zones.  It will add or subtract time from the aircraft clock.. Fly your mission. Please stop your time every time you land. No fair logging flight time for sitting on the ramp. After you have returned to the PAC Base or the SLC Hub, check to see how much fuel you ended up with.  Do this before getting onto the ramp.  Sometimes the aircraft will re-fuel for no reason when on an airport ramp.  These values are entered onto your manifest. You should always start with 192 gallons in the Navajo, as that is what full tanks hold. 56 gallons in each of the main tanks, and 40 gallons in each of the auxiliary tanks, the other aircraft have different configurations.  We will try to post these at the hanger..

When you have completed your flight, fill out the Cargo Manifest and press the submit button. This information will be entered into your pilot's logbook, which is kept at the airport. Then once a week or so, you will receive a copy of your hours, this is also being worked out. Please log in "Remarks" what percentage of your flight was at night, and any other specific information that you deem necessary..

If you have any questions or ideas, you can contact us on the message board, or email the Operations Manager.  There is an E-Mail link at the bottom of each of the web pages.

Thanks to all, and have a great and safe flight.

Jim, Jay, Sam, Leighton, Jeff  and all the crew.