My Experience with SimAirline.net

When I joined SimAirline.net back in 2006, I was an inexperienced flight simmer who was just looking for something new to do. Never did I imagine that in June of that year I would start a virtual career that would soon lead me towards becoming an even bigger airline enthusiast as well as part of management.

My decision to join was based on my experience flying with Continental to and from Europe the previous year. I wanted to fly real-life scheduled flights of the airline and stumbled across Continental Virtual. As soon as I joined, I did not know what I was getting myself into nor what I was doing, but it wasn't long before I finally got the hang of it. Shortly after joining, the Copa Manager departed and I wanted to help out, not only because I wanted to be part of management but because it would give me a reason to keep flying in the virtual skies. So after a brief period as an Assistant VA Manager, I was appointed as the new Copa Manager. My duties also included helping testing other fleets for FSX compatibility.

It was soon after that I decided that one VA manager position isn't enough, and it coincided with Paul Anderson's departure from management (he was the Delta Virtual manager at the time) and Ali's reduction of virtual airlines. I had been keeping an eye out for Emirates for some time and thought it would be perfect to apply for it. Paul, on the other hand, was to be Aeroflot Virtual's manager and I also applied for it. Thus, I became Emirates' and Aeroflot's new managers, though the latter never opened.

My duties did not change much though: continued FSX compatibility testing, searching for liveries, and adding more aircraft as Emirates became an active airline with the Boeing 777-200LR and Airbus A380 entering the fleet.

When Aaron gave us the message that SimAirline.net would be closed, even though I was heartbroken, I knew that it was the right thing to do. I soon realized that it had been three years since I had joined and real life had started getting in the way. I was swamped with college courses and so many tests I often had to delay projects and, since then, stop flying altogether. Fellow members of management also had similar stories and by an unanimous decision we agreed to follow Aaron's request.

These three years here have changed me. They have opened my eyes and made my love for aviation even greater. However, SimAirline.net was more than just a hobby; it was a community, it was a home, it was a family. It sure is sad to see it go, but all good things must come to an end. I plan to remain on board until the very last day and hope to see some of you at the Airliners International convention in the New York City area this August.

Before I close this letter, I'd like to thank Aaron for giving me the opportunity to work alongside him these past years. It has been a privilege and an honor to have been serving as one of the members of management.

See you around in the virtual skies!