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Operations Director - Resignation

Jack Edwards

Entry posted by Jack Edwards in Operations ·

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Good afternoon all.

I've throughly enjoyed the last year as Operations Director, the swell in interest and commitment to the network from everyone in VATSIM UK has been a big wave to surf and I'm really proud of the work that everyone in the department has done since we all started last year. It's time for me to move on now and hand the role over to someone else.

Before I go, I would like to give you all (the membership) an idea of what goes on behind the scenes and thank some of those who have made my life much easier than it could have been - they give up a lot of their time to make the nitty-gritty of VATSIM work and deserve recognition.

Live

During the pandemic, the department has had to take a much more active role in managing the amount of traffic on the network . We've had to invent flow control measures and procedures and train coordinators for area, approach, and aerodrome control. It's great to work alongside european neighbours in ECFMP - thanks to all of the Operations team as well as @James Yuen, @Loui Ringerand @Ben Wright and others for their incredible hard work supporting our events with traffic levels sometimes far in excess of the real world, (for those inhabiting caves, see "Gatwick Midweek Madness").

Documentation

The Operations department maintains 105 separate documents including Letters of Agreement (LoAs) with neighbouring divisions from Ireland to Argentina, vMATS pt 2(s), crib sheets, stand allocation guides, pilot guides, sector diagrams, agreed level diagrams and more. 56 of these have been released or updated in the last year. Development of our procedures is always the subject fierce debate and the passion that the team of contributors bring is inspiring. My sincerest thanks to @Chad Byworth and Harry S for mediating, refining and condensing all this knowledge into literature that is suitable for those aged 13 to the Queen.

Negotiations with other Divisions are always sensitive, but the professionalism of our neighbouring (and not so neighbouring) divisions has been very welcome. Thanks to @Roger Puig (VATSPA), @Andrew Ogden (VATCAN),  @Cathal Boyce (VATeir),  @Marc Eijkens (Dutch vACC),  @Pierre Ferran (vACC France), @Kieran Hardern (CTP extraordinaire), and Mariano Lopez (VATSIM Argentina) amongst others.

Sector File and Controller Pack

In the last year, in excess of 700 pull requests were merged into the UK Sector File and Controller Pack. Every single one is individually approved by @Thomas Mills or @Luke Brown with reviewing assistance from our team of contributors. We've also seen some really nice improvements to our controlling tools, TopSky is now integrated into the UK Controller Pack (which is also open-sourced) and Shanwick Oceanic, Gibraltar, and Mount Pleasant now have up to date and dedicated controller packs. Lastly, It would be redundant to say that the UK Controller Plugin is indispensible, a special thanks to @Andy Ford for his sterling work along with the rest of the Web team.

The application processs for the role of Operations Director will be announced in due course by @Chris Pawley, if you think you have the skills and the determination to help us out then I encourage you to apply. Bon chance!

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Harry Sugden

It's been a pleasure to contribute to the Operations bonanza of the last year, with thanks to your leadership @Jack Edwards! Enjoy the extra time you get to read - rather than write - those 105 documents 😄

Stay Operational ✈️

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Lee Roberts

Jack,

Your hard work and dedication to the role over the last year has been exceptional and everyone in the division has benefitted from it whether they know it or not!

Thank you for all the time and effort you have put in.

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David Solesvik

David Solesvik

Posted

Jack,

I've worked with you for nearly half a year, in relation to Shanwick and Gander. I really really enjoyed working together with you on a really fun project and I learnt a lot from you and it has been a really great experience. Thank you so much for all of your hard work, support and cooperation and I hope to still see you around! 

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George Peppard

George Peppard

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The fact that any virtual controller, no matter how experienced, can simulate operations to such a high standard as demonstrated in this Division is testament to the quality of the work produced by yourself and those under your leadership, even though many of our virtual pilots will never know of its existence.

Thank you for all your hard work over the last year - best wishes for whatever is next!

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Chad Byworth

I can only echo the above. It's been a pleasure working alongside you Jack and the entire community has benefited from your hard work this last year. Hope we see you behind the scope even more with your new found free time!

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James Yuen

It's a shame mate - stellar job with all that you've done over the past few months. We'll forgive you for missing the last 2 CTPs!

@Harry Sugden here's your chance, again 😛

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Liesel Downes

Liesel Downes

Posted

It has been wonderful working with you Jack both within the division and working on our oceanic procedures. Good luck with what comes next!

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Ben Wright

Congratulations on everything you and your team have accomplished in the last year Jack, it truly is impressive and has made a huge impact on the division. Your successor certainly has big shoes to fill! Take care and all the best with your real world ventures.

Ben

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Thomas Mills

It's been a pleasure working with you Jack, and best of luck with the future!

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