WELCOME TO THE NEWSROOM - Full update monthly,
Important News as and when it occurs.
This Full Update 28/06/00.
UK Direct is still seeking a few active members - apply now !
News Added 12/07/00
Holidays are comin'...holidays are comin.....
12/07/00 Latest News.
Thanks Richard.
Well I know it's not new news to most but I wanted to write a thank you to Richard Gosling who has decided to stand down as Online Manager. Many of you are quite happy to enjoy UK Direct without ever having to worry about the day to day running of our v.a. and giving up your flying time to admin. That is fine, I used to enjoy just flying too ! Some brave souls however are prepared to take on a share of the running of our v.a.( I'm not brave just mad !) Richard stepped in over a year ago, at a time when Gary was begining to feel the strain of shouldering all of the responsibility for his creation and was asking for help. It sounds a simple enough job, do a little research, create a flightplan, send a few emails , but if you are finding it difficult to find time for yourself then with the best will in the world you are always going to be up against it. - we all know that most tasks take far longer than we'd like - my one finger typing is testimony to that ! A year helping UK Direct remain at the leading edge in v.a's deserves a big thanks.
SO If you think you've got the neccessary time, enthusiasm, and commitment to step into the world of Online Intrigue/Politics/and FLYING get that job application in NOW !
One of our pilots has been having an exciting time lately, use this link to go to a special story feature.
Loads more exciting things being worked on ! - News of these and more when it becomes available !
End of latest News.
Editorial.
The dust has begun to settle in the UK Direct offices once again and that feeling of calm after the storm has fallen on the management. Not that this is a bad thing, after all of the tension during our move to new premises, but still something that we must be aware of if we are to avoid slipping into mediocrity. Our v.a. is something we, it's pilots should feel proud to be a part of, and should rightly enjoy its success. We should however remember the people who are running it day to day and be thankful for their efforts. If you have something to suggest to any department manager be it negative or positive then please do ! There's nothing that can make a managers day quite like an email, knowing that someone is out there taking an interest in their efforts, even if it's to complain !
Fleet News.
BAC1-11 G-UKDB resplendent in her new colours.
ERJ145 G-UKDN sporting sponsorship logos.
Dave Finney has been busy again this month starting with the process to make each individual aircraft available in its own zip file. This will enable a particular aircraft to be used for a specific duty as opposed to a generic aircraft for the type. The first of these are the above: ERJ G-UKDN "Megan" with btinternet logos and BAC1-11 "Annabel" showing support for Bournemouth AFC.
Following the request for naming aircraft Dave Eastwood (163) chose Jordan for the 747-200, Pilot Nico (119) suggested Hebden Bridge for the DASH8 but as it based in Scotland a Yorkshire link was deemed inappropriate . This name will however be applied to a Saab340. The DASH8 will be named Kirsty as suggested by Mark alias(178). The ERJ Megan was suggested by the fleet manager - rank has its privilages etc...
The UK Sun BAe146 has been admitted to the paint shop for repainting and modifications are to be made at the same time by engineering. It is anticipated that it will re-enter service in July. The 737-300 has now been painted and by the miracles of modern panel beating the fuselage now appears to be rounder! The Fleet manager is reported to be pleased with the improved handling of the aircraft but was concerned by the number of nuts, bolts and washers left in the Rover Assorted biscuit tin he uses for putting bits in during maintenence sessions.
Fleet/Routes extras !
An interesting contract is being negotiated with another airline which may lead to some new flights. Watch out for more news soon !
UKD have 3 aircraft on order at present for future operations and UKS are negotiating a lease agreement with a South American carrier.
The Condor leased 757-300 will be purchased outright at the end of the month and will have the yellow nosewheel doors repainted when it joins the fleet.
Just as some European airlines are getting together to announce a new freight/mail system due to start later this year UK Directs Cargo division are set to announce a similar package using a Stansted based 737. This should be finalised when Jonathan returns. Night time multi-sector flights using 6 airports for the 2 proposed flights should present a bit of a challenge for all you insomniacs out there!
and talking of insomniacs...
Dave Finney and Mark tried to set a record for the number of emails sent to each other in one night. He sent Mark 5, Mark sent back 4. At 23.45 he sent 3 back. 22.50 Mark replied to 2. When Mark hadn`t got the expected reply before BT Free disconnected, he wondered what had happened. So he rang him up!!! Poor Dave was already on his way up to Bedfordshire, nightcap on, candle in one hand and hot cup of Horlicks in the other. We think most of his drink got spilled as he rushed to turn off Marks ranting on the answer machine. Donations for a new "Finney Family Carpet Fund" are welcome. (definately all a bit sad really..ed)
Pilot News!
Yes he's finally done it ! Pilot 118 Sandy has broken through the 1000 hour mark at UK Direct ! This truely phenomenal total is more than twice any other pilots hours. Well done Sandy. Oh, by the way the drinks are on you at the Edinburgh hub bar until further notice !
Mark would like to thank all of the pilots for improving their Pirep admin. Only 5 duff ones out of 130 submitted is a huge improvement - keep it up ! Could pilots still please visit the Reports page to read the notes on filling out your Pireps.
Thanks go out to the pilots who have contacted Mark with leave requests. Your jobs are safe ! The remainder who haven't dusted their charts off for over 6 months will be getting their P45's soon. Some of our managers have been so busy that they have forgotten to keep their licences up to date ! Don't forget chaps you should be setting a good example and logging the odd flight too !
More Scenery uploaded.
Andy Baker has been hard at work again, this time he has been creating airports on UK Direct domestic routes, namely Carlisle, Humberside, Plymouth and Southend. Some artistic licence has been used but the end results are on the whole good. There have been a few bugs reported by pilots (building crashes, missing textures etc.) but nothing too serious ! Nice work Andy. Please visit Flightsim.com to download them.
Do328 taxiing out to runway 24 EGMC .
A Saab340 takes off from runway 31 EGHD .
Routes Index - Latest !
Mark had to put the proposed routes index on hold recently whilst he moved house (amongst other things...) but he assures me that he has the best brains in the country working on it as I write ! Well Mark, Dave and Ade anyway, so what can we expect? When can we expect it ? Who knows......but it should be a positive boon !
Even More Scenery !
A UK Sun 737-800 arrives at Humberside.
UK World Cargo Sh360 departs from Norwich.
Andy Baker just keeps on releasing more scenery for the UK Direct routes. In fact I daren't visit Flightsim tonight just in case there's more ! I can't keep up ! (now that's another story...)
Success at last !
Everyone at UK Direct knows just what a fantastic scenery designer our Gary is, well he is fast gaining a wider International recognition within the flightsim community. His superb Gatwick scenery was recently the most downloaded scenery at Flightsim.com and was 29th in the overall chart for all file types.
His scenery was also used as the backdrop for a screenshot placed 3rd in last months screenshot competition. From all of your colleagues at UK Direct, Well Done ! We wish you every success. (I'm really looking forward to getting a copy of UK2000 Part 3..ed!)
Newsroom apologies?
Please accept my apologies for a slightly less full news letter, what with managers jetting off on their hols...oh, that's me too...Please be assured that my finger will be back on the pulse soon to keep you all up to date with the very latest at UK Direct. Ed.
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