| Delta Virtual Airlines Water Cooler | DVA2006 |
A must read on this day 9-11 |
DVA3189
Senior Captain, DC-6
COMM
Joined on June 01 2006
DVA Five-Year Anniversary
Long Beach Century Club
50 State Club
Quatercentenary Club
Events Century Club
Online Quadruple Century Club
Tacoma, WA USA
449 legs, 741.5 hours
404 legs,
677.8 hours online
291 legs,
475.0 hours ACARS
100 legs,
209.0 hours event
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Posted onPost created on
September 11 2008 23:00 ET by Bob Welch
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As I read this today,I felt I knew this man.You also know him.See the signature.It came from an equipment maker for flight sim called Go Filght.Well deserved CP.
Bob
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In an effort to honor our soldiers, fire-fighters, policemen and all men and women who serve this great country of ours...and also on this special memorial day of Sept. 11th, we at GoFlight would like to share the following story from one of our finest. Enjoy...
I had convinced my wife to let me try and make a cockpit in my cellar. I showed her the commuter configuration first and then the general - and she laughed - saying "we definitely can't afford that!" "But one can dream can't they?"...I told her.
I have been flying versions of Flight Simulator since the Sub Logic days with version FS 1.01 on my Commodore 64. Perhaps my desire to be a real pilot came from flying that. I was 16 years old and was able to pick out and tell my family and friends every type of plane flying around.
Things haven't changed much, other than the fact that I am a pilot now, with more than 2000 hours in Army helicopters and 800 in fixed wing. I still fly flight sim (FSX and FS2004 - and X-Plane 9)...not to mention the drawer full of flight related games I have collected over the years.
In Spring 2004, I suffered an injury while in Iraq which got me "medi-vac'd" back to the states. I went through a series of evaluations and tests, and 7 operations including two on my lower spine and one on my neck. Needless to say, my flying days were cut short.
Throughout my recovery, however, I have found one constant - one solace, and that is flying flight simulator - and helping others learn how to fly both fixed and rotary within the flight sim community.
I have been a part of 3 or 4 virtual airlines - but have pretty much stuck with one. I am a flight instructor, Help Desk geek, manual creator, video producer, tutorial writer for them - and I love every minute of it. I beta test for folks and get to try some pretty neat programs.
My problem was my "as real as it gets" factor. I broke down and bought a yoke - and then the pedals - which all made fixed wing flying awesome. I kept my Joystick in for helicopter operations. Other than that - I have a hodgepodge of screens and stuff - old laptop here, old one there...
This is where Mitch comes in. I sent an email, basically letting him know that I really admired his products at GoFlight - but couldn't really afford them. I asked politely if he had any pieces and parts laying around that he could part with - I would greatly appreciate it - because I could
tinker around and maybe put something together. He wrote me back - letting me know that he may have some "stuff" around that they may be able to fix up for me to have.
I was ecstatic! Even the prospect of having a new broken toy was great...again - just to give me something to do.
About 10 days later a package arrived with some "stuff" including an MCP the GF166A VRP and unexpectedly, a throttle quadrant! I was absolutely floored! Not only did Mitch take care of me - but has brought a constant smile on my face every time I power up the plane...I mean the flight sim.
The products are great - and I would highly recommend them to anyone!
Now I'm that much closer to having my wife drag all my flight sim "gear" down to my cellar so I can build a cockpit. Another story for another day...
Thank you from a truly grateful wounded warrior!
Andy Kaufmann
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DVA2481
Senior Captain, A320
E-MAIL
Joined on July 15 2005
Iditarod Club
DVA Fifteen-Year Anniversary
US Capital Club
50 State Club
Online Quadruple Century Club
Toulouse 250 Club
Seven Century Club
Madrid Spain
723 legs, 1,394.4 hours
461 legs,
924.5 hours online
621 legs,
1,110.2 hours ACARS
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Posted onPost created on
September 12 2008 09:02 ET by Jimmi Cranford
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If anyone deserves it, it's Andy...
Regards.
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DVA3794
Senior Captain, A320
OLP, 737-ATP
Joined on December 03 2006
50 State Club
Globetrotter
US Coastal Club
Events Quadruple Century
US Mountaineer Club
Everett Bi-Millennium Club
Tri-Millennium Club
DVA Fifteen-Year Anniversary
Three Million Mile Club
Online Thirty Century
"volando libero......."
Antarctica
3,459 legs, 8,141.9 hours
3,131 legs,
7,039.5 hours online
3,251 legs,
7,332.7 hours ACARS
478 legs,
964.8 hours event
65 legs dispatched, 72.4
hours
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Posted onPost created on
September 12 2008 19:16 ET by Vincenzo Musumeci
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absolutely true!
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DVA3710
Senior Captain, DC-6
OLP, COMM
Joined on November 12 2006
B757 100 Club
50 State Club
Quatercentenary Club
Piston Prop 100 Club
DVA Fifteen-Year Anniversary
"God is my pilot. I'm just the First Officer."
Apopka, FL
432 legs, 690.6 hours
35 legs,
60.8 hours online
385 legs,
620.1 hours ACARS
6 legs,
7.7 hours event
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Posted onPost created on
September 16 2008 23:41 ET by Sid Dudley
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As I was reading this and before I got to the end I had a feeling that this all sounded strangely familiar and had a hunch it might be from Andy. Lt. Col. Kaufmann, as a native of your home state, a former army soldier (aviation all the way), and a proud American, I can never say it enough. I salute you for your service and sacrifice. May God bless you and your family for all you have done. I'm glad to hear that new "toys" were sent your way.
Sid DudleySenior Captain, DC-6
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DVA3294
Captain, B767-300
Joined on July 02 2006
Online Double Century Club
Quatercentenary Club
"Failure is not an option"
Fort Lauderdale, FL USA
446 legs, 854.1 hours
266 legs,
409.6 hours online
13 legs,
16.4 hours ACARS
33 legs,
60.1 hours event
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Posted onPost created on
September 17 2008 22:51 ET by Ryan Nicolay
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When I was reading the story I was like "wait I think I know who this is", sure enough I was right. Andrew I also thank you for your service and sacrifice, you deserve it.
Ryan NicolayCaptain, B767-300
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DVA4653
Captain, B727-200
Joined on July 01 2007
Six Century Club
50 State Club
"SLC...Artificial heart of America"
Salt Lake City, UT USA
745 legs, 1,588.8 hours
4 legs,
5.5 hours online
744 legs,
1,587.7 hours ACARS
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Posted onPost created on
September 25 2008 08:55 ET by Monty Stewart
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Bob, thanks for sharing this with us.
As I finished reading this letter, my eyes were a bit misty....for several reasons. Although not a real pilot myself, I too have had medical setbacks and ongoing surgeries that have kept me -out of service- for many years.
I discovered FS2004 in'04 and became hooked. I flew for several VA's, then found a solid, comfortable home here at DVA. Flight simming has literally kept my sanity intact through the years by flying these "friendly skies". As Andy said; "I have found one constant - one solace, and that is flying flight simulator". Well put Andy, my wounded body and soul can relate!
I'm not a "real as it gets" kind of guy, but would like to be...health permitting. Thank goodness my incredible wife has been supportive of my sometimes obsessive "occupation" with this flying thing.
It was at the end of the letter when I saw Andy's name that I really got misty eyed. Andy has always been available here at DVA with help, encouragement and kind words. I knew Andy was a real world pilot with military involvement, but had no idea he served in Iraq and was injured while there.
Andy, I also salute you and personally thank you for your time, service and sacrifice for our country. Our "wouded warrior" deserves all the flight sim gadgets that he could ever want!
Regards and great respect.
Monty StewartCaptain, B727-200
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DVA6399
Captain, B777-200
Joined on December 19 2007
Century Club
Tel Aviv, Israel Israel
152 legs, 596.5 hours
73 legs,
346.6 hours online
141 legs,
549.6 hours ACARS
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Posted onPost created on
October 02 2008 06:33 ET by Jeff Popoviz
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I agree with Jimmi. From what i have learned in my 2 weeks at Delta Virtual, Andy is a VERY nice person who leaves great message and is very eager to help out. I wish him and his family the best of luck in the years to come. I am proud to be an American Citizen and i salute Andy for his commitment to keeping us safe- thank you Andrew.
Your Pal,
Jeff
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