Greetings all,

As you may have guessed from my username, I was originally the founder of Raptor Virtual Airlines based in Australia flying in FSX. That airline was founded in 2007 but closed early last year as the website hosting expired. Before then there had also been issues with operating clients which had caused a loss of pilots from 34 to 4. Just as I finally found a new stable system to use the funding went down and the airline was forced to close.

Since then I've been pondering starting again, though more likely than not under a new name which I have not been able to decide. Most likely the airline would fly a fleet of IAE engined A320s (Airbus X and Project Airbus models could be supported here) to holiday and charter destinations. The idea being that this carrier is not a traditional full service airline but a hybrid of the low cost (but not necessarily low fare) and charter airlines.

With the aircraft, some route examples (though not sure where to base it in Australia yet but either Melbourne or Brisbane could be good starting points), new knowledge in web design thanks to my university course and time available, I am curious if anyone would be interested in such a thing? I'm also asking to see if anyone believes I should re-start (again) Raptor Virtual Airlines or start afresh as (insert name here- Suggestions?).

Thank you for your time.

In addition to the above, this new VA will feature 'Connect', a regional VA and training school used to prepare pilots for flight simulator operations particularly in the online ATC environment through the use of 20-30 seat regional turboprops (aircraft not yet decided).

This division will be separate from the main airline but pilots can fly for both. Direct entry will be possible for either of the two divisions depending on pilot preference. Staff roles will be available soon once the details are worked out.

'Connect' will allow for our VA pilots to fly low and slow around the outback or up high at Flight Level 380 in the advanced technology Airbus.

Alright I've been thinking further and Brisbane Intl seems like a good place to base what is intended to be a 'holiday' airline with its close proximity to Cairns, Townsvile, Rockhampton, Norfolk Island, Hamilton Island, etc. Still haven't decided between Airbus or Boeing NBs, both could be possible but not very realistic for an airline. Still not sure on an airline name but something associated with the Ocean or local culture in the area. I may not have a name but a logo is partially formed in my mind of a stylised conch shell with colours taking their inspiration from the Air Australia scheme perhaps.

What does everyone think?

To me personally, this idea for a VA sounds great! Having flown for several different virtual airlines in the past, I would love to see a new low-cost airline. I am not too familiar with Australian culture for I have never been to Australia, so I wouldn't be able to recommend names based on culture. Perhaps a good name would be "Wake" airlines (Wake being the Foamy stuff left in a boat's trail). It is associated with the ocean like you specified, and implies speed. Although I would understand if you reject this name. If you will be needing any assistance with this airline, I will be more than happy to help. Best Regards.

I'm glad someone else picked up the LCC hints to this! Wake is actually not a bad name for both the reasons you stated and its short and punchy, good simple names that you see a lot of these small LCC/charter airlines using.

One of the key areas I've been thinking of differentiating the airline is by flying to destinations off the trunk routes, places where tourism is trying to be promoted and/or airport fees are cheap(er). Plus airports like Norfolk Island are interesting to fly into as their small short runways on islands that can be easy to miss if you don't navigate properly.

Whilst I don't have a name here's a logo of sorts that I've come up with for it. Obviously it's not a final stage as that wouldn't have solids but nice gradient shades and such.

CONCEPT LOGO CLICK HERE

It's supposed to be primarily a stylised sea shell but also could be interpreted as a leaf, a breaking wave, sails or even the design of the Sydney Opera House.

I am glad you found my suggested name suitable and a possible candidate. The logo looks very good, and I especially like the way it can be interpreted into many things. I also agree with you that the airline should operate to a different type of destination, and I also think the shorter and more challenging runways will be more appealing to prospective pilots. I am looking forward to seeing this idea become reality and remember, if you need any administers, etc., I am always available.

Well with exams now over, Semester 1 of University is complete so I have time to return to (one of) my hobbies. With the logo completed more or less I decided to try and match it to a paint scheme. Still no name for the airline yet and as such the livery is very much a WIP but here's some shots of what I have so far;

http://www.simviation.com/phpupload/uploads/1339383290.jpg

http://www.simviation.com/phpupload/uploads/1339357340.jpg

http://www.simviation.com/phpupload/uploads/1339420680.jpg

In trying to keep with the low-cost theme, I have a maximum of three colours that I can use. So far I've used two (the lime and the off-white) so that leaves a single final colour available to use either for text, trim decoration or other.

Probably going to go for billboard-style titles (but more stylish) with the web address on the rear fuselage and a phone number somewhere (maybe).

Let me know what you think, I'm still open for names!

Palm air maybe?

That's a possibility yeah. Some other suggestions on other websites include breeze air.

Due to popular request here's a PMDG 737-800NGX Winglet version of the WIP livery. There's been some interesting name suggestions so far but I'm still open to them.

http://www.simviation.com/phpupload/uploads/1339512952.jpg

http://www.simviation.com/phpupload/uploads/1339497733.jpg

http://www.simviation.com/phpupload/uploads/1339472910.jpg

The NGX required a slightly altered livery to the Airbus X to better suit the airframe and also slightly adjusted the aspect ratio of the tail logo.

The airline probably will end up having both 737s and A320s so pilots can fly that which they prefer.

As I've been working on the NGX paint some more (and really loving it's paint kit) and thinking of some other possible name ideas for the airline.

So far Wake, Breeze & Reach are names that sound appropriate for this kind of airline and are also fairly easy to remember. What are your opinions on these names and/or do you have any others that are of similar theme?

Seeing as its Oz maybe Roo Air (As in a Kangaroo) or Koala Air?

Hmm, maybe yeah. Those could work. At the moment I'm slightly leaning towards Reach as it is simple but allows for the use of slogans such as 'bringing your next holiday within reach' and for the VA 'realism is in reach'

Alright it's been almost a month since my last update here but now I have something to show; the livery on the PMDG NGX 737-800WL now with 'reach' titles, aircraft type and registration decals. This repaint is pretty much finished now in my opinion other than a few possible slight adjustments.

It's a simple but clean livery which is what I was after to reflect an LCC correctly. Whilst doing this I also had the idea of a special livery with whole fuselage green and white titles which I may or may not do.

Feedback is most welcome.

http://www.simviation.com/phpupload/uploads/1341975495.jpg

http://www.simviation.com/phpupload/uploads/1342007170.jpg

http://www.simviation.com/phpupload/uploads/1341952416.jpg

I've been wondering.maybe make a paint for the grand caravan for short hops,like on tasmania.
This way it might attract prop-fans too!

Yeah, I've been thinking about having some turboprops under the connect brand for the prop flights. They'd be ideal for flights from Brisbane to the sunshine and gold coasts as well.

Alright I've been busy so haven't done all that much visible progress. Been working on a rough website template to match the livery based upon one of the freely available phpVMS linked templates. I haven't got anything of that to show yet as I'm still trying to sort out the drop down menus and colour palette. I don't have a web hosting or domain name yet for Reach Airways either so progress in that side will be slow.

I have however done another aircraft in the Reach livery, this time it is Digital Aviations beautiful Fokker F-100;

http://www.simviation.com/phpupload/uploads/1343816508.jpg

http://www.simviation.com/phpupload/uploads/1343759470.jpg

I rather like how the livery looks on this already nice looking bird. These would be a part of the optional fleet used for FIFO (Fly-in, Fly-out) operations to places like Mount Isa as well as for charter and commercial flights to locations where a 737 either cannot get in or is too big for the route.

Alright it's been a month since my last post. I've been busy with my University studies and as such haven't had terribly that much time to post updates. That said, there has been progress.

Most notable of all is that the VA now has a website; http://www.reachva.com

I'm still working on the website layout and design so it is very much a WIP at this stage. Many of the pages still need filling out but technically the airline is operational to a degree now.

I've also finalised my two PMDG skins for the 737-700 and 737-800 models and have now completed a repaint and extensive modification of the POSKY 738 model (including Alrots upgraded default 737 VC, better FDE, FMC, etc). Working on the -700 series before I'll be uploading these models and liveries to the site. Here is a screen of the POSKY 738;

http://www.simviation.com/phpupload/uploads/1346953010.jpg

And just for fun, here is the PMDG 737-700 which I did in a special inverted colours/all green livery;

http://www.simviation.com/phpupload/uploads/1346940872.jpg

I have now set up the forums which are available to join from here; http://reachva.com/smf/index.php

Currently accounts for the website are not linked with the forums so remember to register on both.

Guests are only able to view a limited amount of the forums with the majority of it reserved for members only.