San Francisco (SFO) Hub Operations Manual
Last up dated Jan, 2005

Noble Air is a Virtual Airline created in 1994. Noble Air operates around the world - on the Internet and other forums. There are Hubs in the United States, Canada, Europe, Africa, South America and the far east. For a complete list, visit the Noble Air Main Web Page.

The San Francisco Hub operates routes in the United States, and to Canada, England, Mexico, South America, South Pacific and the Far East.

This Operational Manual covers specific procedures used by the Noble Air San Francisco Hub. The Noble Air Operations Manual provides information for Noble Air general operations. It is available in the Noble Air Main Library.

* Noble Management

Paul McGhee, Noble Air President
Joe Fritsch, Noble Air CEO
Paul Hickey, Noble North America Senior Hub Captain
Joe Fritsch, Noble Air Web Master

* Noble Air SFO Staff

Paul McGhee, Noble Air SFO Hub Captain
Tom Pickett, Noble Air SFO Assistant Hub Captain
John Resch, Noble Air SFO Director of Operations
Mel Acres, Noble Air SFO Chief Flight Instructor

* Joining

Joining Noble Air is simple, If you are joining from the SFO homepage, simply click the "Want to Join" and follow the directions on the page..

* Communication

Since the pilots who fly out of the San Francisco Hub could be located in any part of the world, it is vital that the lines of communication are always open. All reports should follow the formats set below:

Noble SFO FLTREP #xxx ( subject email )
Pilot flight report message heading(xxx is the pilot number)

Noble SFO Bid #xxx ( subject email )
Pilot bid message heading ( xxx is the pilot number)

Noble SFO Request #xxx ( subject email )
Question - Request message heading ( xxx is the pilot number )

* Flight Assignments

Each Thursday night ( Eastern Time Zone, USA) the flight assignments will be posted on the Assignment Page. The message will list the assigned routes and/or other pertinent information for that week's flights. Flight assignments will be presented in the following format:

Pilot Route Remarks

XXX...SFO-0001

XXX......On Leave

Consult the SFO schedule for items such as block times, aircraft used, and links to airport terminal pages ( these are being added as we go...please be patient). A downloadable copy is not available due to potential schedule changes. These will occur on a random basis as passenger traffic demands warrant.
If you wish to fly any additional route in an aircraft for which you are certified, you may do so after the Bid Route has been flown. You may report those hours along with your Bid Route on the FLTREP.

* Flight Reports

Reports are due each week by Wednesday night and in a specific format. Please review this format and submit reports accordingly.

The following is a basic layout of a typical report of a flight from, SFO-RNO-SLC:

Noble SFO Report #XXXX
Pilot   Name        Rank                   Line       Aircraft
----------------------------------------------------------------
2222    ER Jones    Senior Flight Capt     SFO-0601    MD-80


Flight   Route    Flight Time
-----------------------------
1001     SFO-RNO    00:36    (1001 is the leg number)
1002     RNO-SLC    01:12    (1002 is the second leg number)

            Total = 1.8 hrs

Date: Jun 12, 1997

Push back  SFO  17:15
           RNO  18:30


Notes: (Anything pertaining to the flight can go here)

The departure and arrival times listed in the schedule are for Gate Departure and Gate Arrival. It is important that you list each flight leg and its flight time (use 24 hr clock). You may make your flight reports as detailed as you wish, we at Noble Air do enjoy hearing of pilot's exploits during their travels. Please adhere to the time for filing your report. If something comes up and you cannot complete a flight on time, let the Director of Operations know and we can work it out. We realize that things come up unexpectedly. If a flight report is not received by the time the new assignment list is compiled ( and the Director of Operations has not been notified), you will not receive a new assignment for the week.

* Flight Times

It is important to note that only actual BEHIND THE YOKE flight times are credited at Noble Air. If you do fly a route using the accelerated time feature, be sure to mention this on your flight report, only actual 1 to 1 times will be credited. We use 1/10 hour reporting times. Use the chart provided below to convert the hour/minute times for the FLTREP total flight times.

* Route Bids

A bidding system is used to determine the routes you will fly each week, pilots submit BIDS for the routes they wish to fly for the next week. Bids are due on Wednesday Evenings ( by 2300 PST ). Since flight bids are due the same times as flight reports, your bid may be included along with your flight report. If you are not certified on an aircraft for a line you wish to bid, then SFO operations may substitute aircraft if available. Pilots are required to file a bid and fly at least one route during their first month. If unable, please contact the Hub Captain before the end of your first month to explain your difficulties. The contents in the bid message should be in the below format:

Noble SFO Bid #xxx ( subject email )
-------------------------------------------------
Bid 1. SFO-0001 & 0002
Bid 2. SFO-0007 & 0008

* Qualification

To maintain the highest level of safety for our passengers and crews, it is required that all pilots fly a check flight prior to flying a new aircraft type. When you need a check flight, you will be sent to our Chief Flight Instructor, once certified by the CFI office, you can fly passengers in that type aircraft.

* Flight Planning

As in the real world of flying, you should plan your flight prior to departing. Although this is not a requirement, planning a flight does add to realism ( and smooth operations ) of your flight. Charts are necessary for accurate and safe flying, even in a simulation. Check your local airport and see if there are any "Fixed Base Operators" or airplane shops that may have out-of-date real-world charts they may be willing to part with. You might try finding charts at a local military airfield if there's one nearby. You can also call or write NOAA to get their catalog of charts and other information on flight. There are a number of tools available to help with this task. If you have any questions or problems, ask any of the Hub Staff.

* Flight Conditions

Pilot's are encouraged to make their flight as realistic as possible, as this adds to the excitement and authenticity of the simulation. Setting realistic ( and real-world ) weather conditions will help enhance the experience. If you have any questions or problems, ask the Hub Staff.

* Pilot Status

The roster will be reviewed on a monthly basis. Any pilot not on Leave of Absence who has not made a bid in the last 30 days will be sent an E-mail from the Director of Operations. If you do not respond with a bid or ask for a Leave of Absence you will be terminated the following week.
A Leave of Absence or temporary reassignment is Granted ONLY by the Hub Captain. Your status will be sent to the Director of Operations for posting on the Pilots Roster.

* Temporary Assignment to other Hubs

Pilot's can elect to change hubs by notifying their present Hub Captain. I will contact the new Hub Captain to let him know of your status.

"Copyright C 2000"

This manual and all of its contents are provided to enhance the enjoyment
of the simulated airline experience, and are the property of Noble Air. No
portions of this manual may be copied, transmitted,
republished, or reproduced by any means without the express written consent
of the Noble Air Board of Directors."