The 5th Column

CIX VFR Club Embraces IVAO

Following requests from some members in May, the Club has made changes to its database structure and website to allow members to make Club Flights on either the IVAO or VATSIM networks. “Club Flights&rdqou; are defined in the Club Rules, which have been amended to take account of the change.

There is an overall trend for VATSIM to be busier in the USA and the UK, and for IVAO to be busier in mainland Europe. Some flightsimmers find the IVAO pilot client software more reliable and simpler than either of the VATSIM pilot client applications. Now Club members have a choice – and when we cross the Channel, as we often do, the extra activity may enhance the experience of members with IVAO accounts. 20/7/2011

2-4-CIX Flying Display

The CIX VFR Club display team, 2-4-CIX, held a flying display on VATSIM at Shoreham (EKGA) on 28 June, with two performances at 20.00 and 21.30 BST.

The display started with the four aircraft Chipmunk display team appearing just over the top of Truleigh Hill in line astern, in line with runway 20, then diving to 300 feet on approaching the threshold. Chip 2 opened the display by imitating part of the Red Arrows display, where the two lead aircraft do opposing barrel rolls and rejoin the back of the formation. As it is too difficult to either slow down enough or keep the whole formation sufficiently tight to do this in the simulated world, Chip 2 rejoined the formation as number 3.

The formation then flew out to sea before turning back to the display line and proceeded to do a “follow the leader” round a loop over the centre of the runway, then another turn to line up with the display line for an axial roll above the runway.

The group then split into two pairs for its finale, the lead two flying out to sea while the other pair turned back for a low, fast pass along the runway. A final turn and both pairs made a head-on low, fast pass, crossing on the display line — another tribute to the Red Arrows and the Frecce Tricolori.

Following the Chipmunks was a warbirds display, opening with a superb low pass along the runway by a Lancaster escorted by a Spitfire. The Spitfire then entertained us with some aerobatics before flying out to sea and regrouping with the Lancaster for another low pass heading inland and back to base to finish off the whole display.

The team wishes to thank all the spectators who turned up to watch. Although we thoroughly enjoy the practice sessions it is your support that makes the practice and preparation so worthwhile!

Mel Kirk. 20/7/11

FSX Aircraft in the Hanger

Andrew Larkins has written a series of mini-reviews on recent additions to his virtual hanger and posted them to the CIX VFR Club forum, where they have been well-received. In his own words:

I have been struck recently by a steady flow of new GA aircraft for the FSX hangar, and having been both impressed and very pleased with many of the recent additions I thought a few notes and screen shots may be of interest to others considering additions to their hangar. These are not out and out reviews, simply some thoughts.

Andrew has very kindly allowed us to publish his thoughts here so we can share them with a wider audience. You can access them from the links below.

16/7/11

Spring Flying

Spring has arrived, with a recent mini heat-wave in the UK sending the mercury up to nearly 30C in places. The VFR flying season is open, so time to get the aeroplanes out of the hangers and take to the air. No better way to avoid bank holiday traffic jams!

Some CIX VFR Club members have been testing their skills by taking part in this years Mutleys' Easter Bunny Air Rally 2011 (MEBAR). The event took place in the picturesque south coast of England, the Channel Islands, Isles of Scilly, Wales then back to Mutley's Hangar at EGHI Southampton. Pilots had to complete a series of four flights, each one completed in a time closest to a calculated reference time for the aircraft they had registered. The highest scoring CIX VFR Club pilot was Rob Jones, with 99.16 out of 100, flying the Britten-Norman Islander. Well done Rob! (30/04/11)

Tim Arnot in his NAAFI Haulage Company and Tea Shoppe Islander over Cornwall

Training Progress

It has now been over two months since CIX VFR Club opened its doors as a VATSIM Approved Training Organisation (ATO), and 16 members have now successfully gained their P1 rating with the club, plus one "Student only" member who came to us to do his rating. Since successfully completing his P1, John has joined the Club. Good decision!.

The VATSIM pilot ratings system is a voluntary training programme. Acquiring ratings allows pilots to show they have a certain level of knowledge and proficiency. The syllabus is fixed by VATSIM but each ATO creates its own training programme, which is approved by VATSIM management. CIX VFR Club achieved ATO status on February 19 and is able to train for and award P1 ratings.

The CIX VFR Club programme comprises self-learning through documents coupled with flight training sessions with instructors, and is open to members and non-members alike. For more details, see the club's training page. 1/4/11

CIX VFR Club becomes latest VATSIM ATO

On February 19th, CIX VFR Club won approval as a VATSIM Authorised Training Organisation (ATO), becoming the eighth organisation to achieve this status worldwide and only the second in the UK.

The club has worked hard to develop a high quality student training system especially for the purpose. The VATSIM auditor said that his rapid assessment of the system reflected the quality of the system and the extensive preparation work by the club's training department.

From Tuesday March 1st we will be opening our doors to students who wish to take the VATSIM P1 Pilot Rating, from both inside and outside the Club membership.

Additional ratings courses and tests are currently being designed by the VATSIM Pilot Training Development group, and the Club will be able to provide training for, and award these higher ratings in due course. 28/02/11

Anglo-German Flying Exchanges

In February, members of the CIX VFR Club were delighted to join with the Friesenflieger virtual flying club in participating in two events in Germany and England. On February 22nd, the clubs joined in VATSIM Germany’s VFR Group Flight from Magdeburg to Bremen, and on the 25th CIX VFR Club was invited to take part in a Friesenflieger club event, helping to transport a film crew from Newquay to Shoreham. Both evenings were well attended and much enjoyed, with kind support on the Friesenflieger TeamSpeak chatroom for non-German speaking CIX VFR Club members.

Friesenflieger is our sister VFR club in Germany, based in the picturesque Friesian islands. Formed in 1996, it has about 90 pilots and 20 controllers as members. Friesenflieger’s activities mirror those of CIX VFR Club, being active on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays. The club’s motto is Pilots with heart and soul, and this is mirrored in the themes of its biweekly events which have included counting seals, spotting oil leaking from ships and search and rescue support.

We hope to deepen the friendship between our clubs with further events in Germany, the UK and further afield. 10/03/11

Friesenflieger and CIX VFR Club pilots chat on the apron at Shoreham after flying in from Newquay

Happy 7th Birthday

The year soon comes round in our very active Club life...
On February 8th the Club celebrated with a "birthday bash" at Gloucestershire aerodrome, with flypasts by flights of World War II US and British "warbirds", and an aerobatic performance by the Club's 2-4-Cix Chipmunk display team. Of course we all met up to "party" on TeamSpeak, and at one point we had 20 members on at the same time. An impromptu choir sang the Club "Happy Birthday". This was not only the record number of members on TeamSpeak at the same time, but (probably) the only time an international choir has sung "Happy Birthday" on line!

CIX VFR club was founded by Peter Dodds in 1994 to encourage and promote the lighter side of flying on VATSIM - the freedom of flying "low and slow" outside the confines of controlled airspace, enjoying the marvellous scenery the UK has to offer. The club has now grown to 554 members, and we hope to keep going from strength to strength. 15/02/11

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