Los Angeles (LAX) Hub Operations Manual
Revised February 25, 2002

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 Los Angeles Hub operates routes in the United States, and to Canada, England, Mexico, South America and the Far East.

This Operational Manual covers specific procedures used by the Noble Air Los Angeles Hub. The Noble Air Operations Manual provides information or 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
 
Bryan Opalka, Pacific Senior Hub Captain
 
 

* Noble Air LAX Staff

Jim Cranston, Noble Air LAX Hub Captain
 

* Joining

Joining Noble Air is simple, If you are joining from the LAX homepage, simply click the email link for Hub Captain and send an email titled "Noble Air recruitment", please write that you wish to join the Noble LAX Hub. The Hub Captain or the Assistant Hub Captain will reply to you within 48 hrs.

* Communication

Since the pilots who fly out of Los Angeles 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 LAX FLTREP #xxx ( subject email )
Pilot flight report message heading (xxx is the pilot number)

An Online Flight Report Form is now available from the Main LAX Hub Webpage (2/2000)

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

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

* Flight Assignments

Each Monday (USA time) the Assistant Hub Captain will post flight assignments 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...LAX0001

    XXX......On Leave

Consult the Los Angeles 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.

* Flight Reports

When you have completed your assigned route, you must send a flight report to the Hub Captain or Assistant Hub Captain. Please use the ONLINE FLIGHT REPORT linked on the main page and on the Assigments page.   Flight reports are due by Sunday evenings, deadline is 2300 Pacific Time Zone (USA/GMT + 8).

The general format of your flight report should be as follows:

Flight report, Name, Rank, #xxx ( subject email )
--------------------------------------------------
FLTREP... Ace Pilot...Capt...XXXX
MM/DD/YY,

Sch Dep: 0700
Act Dep: 0700

LAX0001

LAX takeoff runway 07R at: 0706
OAG----------------------------: 0715 (VOR)
LAS landing runway 01R at: 0749

Sch Arrival: 0800
Act Arrival: 0755

Total flight time 0.9 Hrs.
Notes: comment about flight

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). This will allow the Hub Captain or Assistant Hub Captain to compare the actual flight times to the schedule, and make any needed schedule updates. 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 Hub Captain or Assistant Hub Captain 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 Hub Captain or Assistant Hub Captain 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 Sunday 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 LAX 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 or Assistant 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 LAX Bid #xxx ( subject email )
-------------------------------------------------
Bid 1. LAX-0001 & 0002
Bid 2. LAX-0007 & 0008

Amendment to Route Bid Procedure: Pilots of Senior Commercial Captain and above are eligible for expanded Route Bidding. Routes listed in all other Noble Air Hubs are available to be bid and flown. This dramatically expands the number of destinations around the globe that are available to the Senior Pilots. Your bid must begin with a LAX route to the secondary Noble Hub for the first leg, the second leg will be the Route Number of the secondary Hub to the end destination, ( ie. LAX-1351 LAX-ORD, ORD-3365 ORD-SYR, ORD-3366 SYR-ORD, LAX-1352 ORD-LAX), the third leg returns to the secondary hub, the fourth leg returns to LAX. Of course, additional legs are possible, but the first and last legs must depart and arrive at LAX.

* Qualification

In order to provide our Pilots with more flexibility in choosing and flying aircraft types, and to moderate the workload on the Flight Instructors, we have decided to institute a system of aircraft categories.

For each category, a Check Ride for any aircraft in that category will allow the Pilot to fly any other aircraft type in that category. For example, if a Pilot successfully passes a Check Ride for the B-737, he or she is then qualified for any other aircraft in the Light Standard Jets. Check Rides may be done at any one of the r Levels as described on the Check Ride page. The exception is the Special Aircraft category; each aircraft type in this category requires an individual check ride.

As a further advantage, each Pilot will now be able to substitute any comparable range and speed aircraft type for another when flying a scheduled route. If your assigned route is designated for the B-737 you may substitute the A-320 or the DC-9 or the MD-90.

If you have any questions at all, please contact one of the LAX Hub managers..

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 category. When you need a check flight, your Hub Captain or Assistant Hub Captain will send you to our Chief Flight Instructor, once certified by the CFI office, you can fly passengers in that aircraft category.  

* 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 the Hub Captain, Assistant Hub Captain or Director of Operations.

* 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 Captain, Assistant Hub Captain or Director of Operations.

* Pilot Status

The roster will be reviewed at least 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 Assistant Hub Captain 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.
 
 
 

Minutes to Tenths Conversion Table
00:01=0
00:02=0
00:03=0
00:04=0.1
00:05=0.1
00:06=0.1
00:07=0.1
00:08=0.1
00:09=0.1
00:10=0.2
00:11=0.2
00:12=0.2
00:13=0.2
00:14=0.2
00:15=0.2
00:16=0.3
00:17=0.3
00:18=0.3
00:19=0.3
00:20=0.3
00:21=0.3
00:22=0.4
00:23=0.4
00:24=0.4
00:25=0.4
00:26=0.4
00:27=0.4
00:28=0.5
00:29=0.5
00:30=0.5
00:31=0.5
00:32=0.5
00:33=0.5
00:34=0.6
00:35=0.6
00:36=0.6
00:37=0.6
00:38=0.6
00:39=0.6
00:40=0.7
00:41=0.7
00:42=0.7
00:43=0.7
00:44=0.7
00:45=0.7
00:46=0.8
00:47=0.8
00:48=0.8
00:49=0.8
00:50=0.8
00:51=0.8
00:52=0.9
00:53=0.9
00:54=0.9
00:55=0.9
00:56=0.9
00:57=0.9
00:58=1.0
00:59=1.0
01:00=1.0

 
 
 
Flight Altitudes & Flight Levels

This summary of the ICAO altitude and flight levels should be used on all flights. Note that
there are some exceptions, additions or modifications in certain countries. For further information
please see the charts and documents applicable to the country or area of concern. This information
is taken from U.S. DOD FLIP documents and is the latest official information available. The method
of presenting information has been modified slightly to improve its clarity for newer pilots.
----------------------------------------------------------------------- 
ICAO STANDARD CRUISING ALTITUDE DIAGRAMS


On and Off Airways Below FL 290
IFR IFR   VFR VFR
180* to 360*
Altitude
in Feet 
001* to 179*
Altitude
in Feet 
  180* to 360*
Altitude
in Feet 
001* to 179*
Altitude 
in Feet 
2000 1000   2500 1500
4000 3000   4500 3500
6000 5000   6500 5500
8000 7000   8500 7500
10000 9000   10500 9500
etc etc   etc etc
On and Off Airways At Or Above FL 290
IFR IFR   VFR VFR
180* to 360*
FL's
Feet
001* to 179*
FL's 
Feet
  180* to 360*
FL's
Feet
001* to 179*
FL's
Feet
310 290   320 300
350 330   360 340
390 370   400 380
430 410   440 420
etc etc   etc etc

NOTES: 
1. The symbol * indicates DEGREES in aircraft heading.
2. "FL" means FLIGHT LEVEL and is correctly used ONLY
when referring to altitudes at or above 18,000 feet (FL 180).
Below FL180, the term "ALTITUDE" is used.

RETURN

"Copyright ©1997- 2002"

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.