August 26, 2019 / admin / 0 Comments
Episode 13 picks up where we left off with episode 12 and is the final leg of our trip. As always, thank you so much for reading.
Flight Details
Welcome to Southwest Airlines flight 1031 with service to Atlanta, Georgia. We’re in the same B737. Our block time for this flight is 1 hour, 55 minutes with a flight time of 1 hour, 27 minutes. Our planned fuel is 14,842 lbs. and our take-off weight is 132,041 lbs. Our cruise altitude is FL380.
Route: ARKES4 ARKES SEAZY MATLK Q77 WASUL Q77 SHRKS LAIRI LARZZ JJEDI2
![1 1](https://grizzlybearsims.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/1_thumb-5.png)
Headed Back To Atlanta
This the final leg of a three leg journey will have us back in Atlanta before sunset. We seem to be running slightly ahead of these storms and that’s a good thing. We’re hoping to get out of Fort Lauderdale before a ground stop ruins our day. With all passengers/bags loaded, the aircraft is ready to pushback for another on-time departure.
![2019-7-3_14-53-40-654 2019-7-3_14-53-40-654](https://grizzlybearsims.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/2019-7-3_14-53-40-654_thumb-1.jpg)
Taxing out to 10L.
![2019-7-3_14-56-45-250 2019-7-3_14-56-45-250](https://grizzlybearsims.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/2019-7-3_14-56-45-250_thumb.jpg)
Blasting out of FLL
![2019-7-3_15-0-15-527 2019-7-3_15-0-15-527](https://grizzlybearsims.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/2019-7-3_15-0-15-527_thumb.jpg)
Making our left turn to join the departure.
![2019-7-3_15-1-37-505 2019-7-3_15-1-37-505](https://grizzlybearsims.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/2019-7-3_15-1-37-505_thumb.jpg)
The view off the starboard side. The combination of REX SkyForce, REX Environment Force and ActiveSky is doing an amazing job of providing the eye candy for this trip.
![2019-7-3_15-5-37-47 2019-7-3_15-5-37-47](https://grizzlybearsims.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/2019-7-3_15-5-37-47_thumb.jpg)
ATC vectoring us around the strongest of storm cells. We’re keeping the seatbelt signs on until we get above these clouds. The turbulence is bouncing us around as we continue to climb up to 38,000 feet.
![2019-7-3_15-5-47-881 2019-7-3_15-5-47-881](https://grizzlybearsims.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/2019-7-3_15-5-47-881_thumb.jpg)
Between cloud layers things have calmed down a bit. Just a few more thousand feet and we should be in the clear.
![2019-7-3_15-8-12-571 2019-7-3_15-8-12-571](https://grizzlybearsims.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/2019-7-3_15-8-12-571_thumb.jpg)
Smooth skies at last. We’ve turned off the seatbelt sign and released the cabin crew to begin cabin service.
![2019-7-3_15-24-13-981 2019-7-3_15-24-13-981](https://grizzlybearsims.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/2019-7-3_15-24-13-981_thumb.jpg)
I quite like the new Southwest livery.
![2019-7-3_15-54-58-401 2019-7-3_15-54-58-401](https://grizzlybearsims.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/2019-7-3_15-54-58-401_thumb.jpg)
Beginning our descent into the Atlanta area.
![2019-7-3_16-7-16-670 2019-7-3_16-7-16-670](https://grizzlybearsims.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/2019-7-3_16-7-16-670_thumb.jpg)
Joining the approach for runway 27L
![2019-7-3_16-13-50-617 2019-7-3_16-13-50-617](https://grizzlybearsims.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/2019-7-3_16-13-50-617_thumb.jpg)
Clear to land, runway 27L
![2019-7-3_16-21-16-92 2019-7-3_16-21-16-92](https://grizzlybearsims.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/2019-7-3_16-21-16-92_thumb.jpg)
Touchdown imminent.
![2019-7-3_16-22-0-422 2019-7-3_16-22-0-422](https://grizzlybearsims.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/2019-7-3_16-22-0-422_thumb.jpg)
Parking up at C6 at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.
![2019-7-3_16-25-0-528 2019-7-3_16-25-0-528](https://grizzlybearsims.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/2019-7-3_16-25-0-528_thumb.jpg)
Our day is done and what a day it’s truly been. Once we turn the aircraft over, I have about 90 minutes to grab something to eat and head to gate C14 to take a jump seat flight to Chicago Midway. Tomorrow I will serve as Sr. First Officer for a flight out of MDW to Detroit and back. Then I jump seat out to Oakland where I’ll have three days off before another full day of flights on the west coast. Fun times ahead.
Before I close out this report, let me just show my APL progress thus far. As you can tell from the image below, my total XP is 395.66 and climbing. I have just over 254 XP to go before my promotion to the rank of Captain and the move over to the left seat. As previously discussed, I’m earning $40.25 per hour at Southwest as a Sr. First Officer and now that I’m getting the hours I need, I’m content to stay at SWA for the near future.
![3 3](https://grizzlybearsims.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/3_thumb.png)
With the last payday, I purchased a headset which along with the mobile phone and flight bag is earning me an additional 25% XP on each completed flight. While I really don’t think there is any right or wrong way to build your APL career, in my opinion (at this time) earning extra XP is more important than earning additional money bonuses. So all my salary earnings has been going to building up the XP bonuses.
![4 4](https://grizzlybearsims.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/4_thumb.png)
See you next time.
Credits
If you are interested in experiencing your own “A Pilot’s Life”, I highly recommend the A Pilot’s Life, by SimBitWorld add-on for Prepar3D, FSX and X-Plane. You can learn more about the A Pilot’s Life by visiting the SimBitWorld website and/or purchase APL at SimMarket. Also, please read my full review of A Pilot’s LIfe here.
Flight Simulator: Prepar3D v4.5 (hotfix 1)
Aircraft: PMDG 737-700
Airline: Southwest Airlines (SWA)
ATC: VATSIM
Airport Scenery: KFLL FSDreamTeam, KATL Imaginsim
Terrain Scenery: Orbx Global Base, Orbx Vector, Orbx openLC North America
Sky/Cloud Textures: REX 5 SkyForce and REX 5 Environment Force
Weather Generation: ActiveSky (ASP4)
Flight Planning: SimBrief, Navigraph, FlightAware, FlightRadar24
Note: If you are interested in any of the above mentioned add-ons. Visit my P3D Add-ons directory for links.
August 12, 2019 / admin / 0 Comments
As a beta tester for A Pilot’s Life, I needed to change airlines to test new features which debuted with version 1.33 which was released in late June. These new features (including multi-hub and multi-leg routes is a very nice addition to an already wonderful add-on application. If you’re not a user of A Pilot’s Life, I encourage you to check it out. You won’t be disappointed. Links can be found below.
Present Day
I hit the breaking point with Alaska Airlines. While I truly enjoyed my time both in Seattle and San Francisco, I just wasn’t getting enough flight hours. I’m hoping to eventually make Captain and of course I still need to earn a living. After arriving back to SFO from Palm Springs, I was told my next flight wouldn’t be for another week. So I went home and called the recruiter which had contacted me with an offer from Southwest Airlines.
At this point I was getting pretty desperate. While each of my career moves have been working my way up both the career ladder as well as the salary scale. I just wanted to work and fly. Southwest Airlines wanted to meet with me and they flew me down to Dallas. Things just clicked and soon I was offered a position as Sr. First Officer and they even bumped by pay rate up to over $40.00 per hour. WOW.
While I still hope to land a job with American Airlines (at some point), I’m willing to wait until I reach Captain if necessary. Southwest has assured me that if I’m willing to work, they’ll certainly keep me busy. The other exciting them I’m looking forward to with SWA is their multi-leg route structure. I’ll be honest, after a while of flying hub/spoke flights, one gets a little bored. While some SWA flights are hub/spoke, the majority are multi-leg routes and I’m really looking forward to this. So for now, I’m going to keep my apartment in San Fran and see how things unfold over the coming weeks.
Flight Details
Today we’re operating the first of three flights out of Hotlanta (Atlanta). Yes, it is HOT, HOT, HOT today. Our first leg will have us flying down to the Big Easy (KMSY) then over to Fort Lauderdale (KFLL) then back to Atlanta. I guess when Southwest said they could keep me busy, they actually meant it.
For the first leg, we’re operating Southwest Airlines flight 5716 with service to New Orleans, Louisiana in the Boeing 737-700. Our block time today is 1 hour, 45 minutes with a flight time of 1 hour, 10 minutes at a cruising altitude of 38,000 feet. Our block fuel is 12,736 lbs with take-off weight of 126,715 lbs.
Route: ATL5 POUNC DCT GRGIA DCT SJI SLIDD2
![1 1](https://grizzlybearsims.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/1_thumb-3.png)
It’s Time to Feel the Love
I’ve gotta say, I enjoyed my time with Sun Country (gosh that feels like ages ago) and I did enjoy most of my time with Alaska. But I must admit that the folks at Southwest are some of the friendliest I’ve met.
After a quick walk-around inspection, we’re all buttoned up and ready to roll out of here. I think the captain knows what might happen with these storm clouds and he’s not wanting to waste anytime.
![2019-7-3_11-44-15-127 2019-7-3_11-44-15-127](https://grizzlybearsims.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/2019-7-3_11-44-15-127_thumb.jpg)
The Atlanta airport is HUGE and a very busy place. Usually….
![2019-7-3_11-45-44-895 2019-7-3_11-45-44-895](https://grizzlybearsims.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/2019-7-3_11-45-44-895_thumb.jpg)
Taxing out to our active runway 27R.
![2019-7-3_11-48-57-330 2019-7-3_11-48-57-330](https://grizzlybearsims.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/2019-7-3_11-48-57-330_thumb.jpg)
Cleared for take-off, 27R
![2019-7-3_11-52-15-912 2019-7-3_11-52-15-912](https://grizzlybearsims.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/2019-7-3_11-52-15-912_thumb.jpg)
Wheels up, my inaugural flight with Southwest Airlines is underway.
![2019-7-3_11-53-18-953 2019-7-3_11-53-18-953](https://grizzlybearsims.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/2019-7-3_11-53-18-953_thumb.jpg)
Making our left turn direct POUNC and climbing up to 10,000.
![2019-7-3_11-54-19-681 2019-7-3_11-54-19-681](https://grizzlybearsims.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/2019-7-3_11-54-19-681_thumb.jpg)
Cleared up to FL380
![2019-7-3_11-57-47-44 2019-7-3_11-57-47-44](https://grizzlybearsims.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/2019-7-3_11-57-47-44_thumb.jpg)
After a relatively short cruise, we’ve started our descent. The Gulf of Mexico is just in the distance.
![2019-7-3_12-34-39-791 2019-7-3_12-34-39-791](https://grizzlybearsims.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/2019-7-3_12-34-39-791_thumb.jpg)
The Gulf of Mexico is normally not this blue.
![2019-7-3_12-38-51-113 2019-7-3_12-38-51-113](https://grizzlybearsims.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/2019-7-3_12-38-51-113_thumb.jpg)
Nice clouds
![2019-7-3_12-44-39-988 2019-7-3_12-44-39-988](https://grizzlybearsims.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/2019-7-3_12-44-39-988_thumb.jpg)
The Huey P. Long Bridge which spans the Mississippi River and the New Orleans skyline.
![2019-7-3_12-51-58-75 2019-7-3_12-51-58-75](https://grizzlybearsims.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/2019-7-3_12-51-58-75_thumb.jpg)
Lake Pontchartrain just off the right wing.
![2019-7-3_12-52-15-894 2019-7-3_12-52-15-894](https://grizzlybearsims.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/2019-7-3_12-52-15-894_thumb.jpg)
Clear the visual for runway 29.
![2019-7-3_12-54-19-309 2019-7-3_12-54-19-309](https://grizzlybearsims.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/2019-7-3_12-54-19-309_thumb.jpg)
Seconds from touchdown
![2019-7-3_12-56-30-553 2019-7-3_12-56-30-553](https://grizzlybearsims.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/2019-7-3_12-56-30-553_thumb.jpg)
The ground crew and baggage handlers working hard to get us turned around quickly.
![2019-7-3_13-0-58-731 2019-7-3_13-0-58-731](https://grizzlybearsims.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/2019-7-3_13-0-58-731_thumb.jpg)
This was a wonderful first leg of what I’m sure will be a fantastic trip. I’m really excited about the opportunity fly for Southwest and build my career.
Credits
If you are interested in experiencing your own “A Pilot’s Life”, I highly recommend the A Pilot’s Life, by SimBitWorld add-on for Prepar3D, FSX and X-Plane. You can learn more about the A Pilot’s Life by visiting the SimBitWorld website and/or purchase APL at SimMarket. Also, please read my full review of A Pilot’s LIfe here.
Flight Simulator: Prepar3D v4.5 (hotfix 1)
Aircraft: PMDG 737-700
Airline: Southwest Airlines (SWA)
ATC: VATSIM
Airport Scenery: KATL Imaginsim, KMSY LatinVFR
Terrain Scenery: Orbx Global Base, Orbx Vector, Orbx openLC North America
Sky/Cloud Textures: REX 5 SkyForce and REX 5 Environment Force
Weather Generation: ActiveSky (ASP4)
Flight Planning: SimBrief, Navigraph, FlightAware, FlightRadar24
Note: If you are interested in any of the above mentioned add-ons. Visit my P3D Add-ons directory for links.