NOTAM:
Flight Crews: First and foremost, thank you being a member of NorthLink Virtual Airlines. Without our pilots we would be an empty spot in the VA world. We are proud of what has been accomplished this year and we thank you for your patience as we grew and transitioned to the best ACARS program available.
As with many VA's, times, seasons, participation rates and interests change. Completely understood... and expected. As you may have noted our flying is down about 60% since summer has hit and this was anticipated. Good weather gives us an opportunity to do the things we miss during the fall, winter and spring. All good stuff.
So please understand that our reorganization is not based at all on our entrance into summer. It is based on 21 years of collective VA experience. Time spent with the most loosely organized VA's to the most realistic Part 121 based VA. Experience when converted to actions that will give all of us an opportunity to enjoy a "premier" VA experience!
We wish that no one worry... The NLA you fly for will still be, in the majority of ways, the same. Same routes, same birds, same blend of real world airlines and our fictitious brand NorthLink.
We will still focus on challenge in our flying, training our sim pilots, making the VA reflect more reality and most importantly growing the camaraderie that has developed in our ranks. The management team will be even more supportive as we have lightened our MTOW. There will be opportunities for current and new members to become more involved. More on that soon...
In the next few days I will be posting the changes we are making. We anticipate that we may lose a pilot or two... We hope not... but it could happen. We only ask that you give us about 4 weeks to roll out our new VA experience. Fly a little in the meantime and think about what it is that makes you want to belong to a VA organization like NorthLink.
Now, instead of leaving you hanging with suspense... we will do the opposite of most RW corporations... and I will share with you the first major change:
We (attending members of the pilot council) have voted in unanimous fashion to change our management model from a council to a standard hierarchy.
The new structure is as follows:
Jeff S: CEO and Chief Pilot of Turboprop AC
Grizz W: COO of Financial Operations and Maintenance Operations
Bill M: COO of ATC and IFR Procedures
Dave R: COO of QA and Chief Pilot of Jet Aircraft
This decision was not made in haste or lightly... We reviewed many sources of input, discussed our abilities to contribute, and discussed why we did not do well with the "chief" program. We believe that the new structure will enhance our ability to serve more pilots while increasing the immersion and learning opportunities a solidly run VA can offer.
Thanks again! Let's fly together!!! Learn together!!! Have fun together!!!
Jeff Stewart ~CEO~NorthLink Virtual Airlines
END NOTAM: