Just not the same

[kingsak]

With ASHA I had goals to reach. Now that it's gone the fun is lost.
Not being rude - but being true. FlightSim is no longer fun for me.

[AS455 - Don]

Hey Steve
I am sure you have seen the BID Section - Humanitarian Operations. There may be some good flights that might suit your style of flying.
Maybe you Serviced your Country in the armed forces and I thank you for that Service, Sir. I understand your need for respect for the rank and missions accomplished. I feel the same as you because I was a USAF Crew Chief on a C-130E (62-1792 @ Dyess AB, Texas) in the late 60s.
Take Care My Friend and Happy Flying!
Don

[zfly2sky]

I agree, rank & mission accomplishment are
what really attracted me to AirSource. I would
fly 3 to 4 times a week. Told alot of people about
AirSource back then because of the varity of
flights & missions in ASHA. Now I usally do a
flight or 2 only when I get an email that informs
me I'm about to be canned for inactivity. I don't
take a flight & put it on the AP & let it fly for 6 to
10 hours. I fly the shorter flights that require
"hands on" requirements because to me, that is
what flying is all about. I thought maybe at least
there would be more flights like the Jean Batton
Flights but they didn't even get around to making
a badge for that one & haven't seen any other
flights of that nature since. Sure do miss ASHA.

[AS37 Norm Edwards]

Thanks for your contribution Rix, but just a reminder that work behind the scenes come from people on a voluntary basis and time is not always available to meet everyones needs. We are still one of the longest living organisations in the virtual world - real life work and commitments always come first and the hobby has to come in second.

[zfly2sky]

What would it take, or how many volunteers to get ASHA up again?
Or are there other unseen issues that prevent this great AirSource
staple from being implemented again? Could there be a forum
inquiring for upper ranked pilots to fill these necessary positions
or a required amount of people that would get ASHA flying again?
I know there are many pilots, like myself, that are semi retired with
alot of time on their hands. A couple hours a week from many
pilots could pull this off unless there are other problems with
server restraints, we were just not told the whole problem. I will
throw my hat in the ring for a possible reconsideration to literally
"resurrect" ASHA by committing however much time neccessary
for what one person could do. I know there is alot of pilots out
there that feel like myself. Just let us know what it would take!
And WHY it had to shut down & let us know how we can "GET IT UP"
again....thanks for considering.

[AS37 Norm Edwards]

PROJECT SAMARITAN was set up in August 2012 to review the future of the ASHA Division. Several phases were set up as follows:

Phase I:
Defining what a Humanitarian task is within AirSource.
Determining the mission of Humanitarian tasks.
Determining the parameters of the Humanitarian tasks.

Phase II: EMT Review of Phase I

Phase III: Determination of Structure and Command Elements (if required)

Phase IV: Set-up and Implementation

As a result of discussion by the EMT at Phase II it was determined to close down the ASHA Division in the form that existed at that time. That decision hasn't changed, and therefore Phases III and IV were not required.

There are a number of reasons, some technical, but mostly whereby there were other projects being undertaken by the EMT which in the overall picture will provide a different form in terms of flights, no matter what Division, will occur. The project is still underway and is still in the development stage. This is largely due to the technical side which is purely our AirSource Chief's domain. This will not be a rush job.

In the interim, to fulfil in some part the need for some pilots (and I mentioned a minority of our total pilot roster) to fly humanitarian related flights a separate category in the Bid Division was created for that purpose and will remain so until EMT are ready to move forward with new initiatives.

It is understood the passion that some pilots have for niche flying, however EMT must dedicate it's energies towards improving/refining what we have into what will become in the future. This is nothing new to AirSource as it has continued to develop for well over 10 years now.

It is appreciated the offer of help, however, during this current development period for new initiatives (which will be revealed in due course) it is hoped that the interim offer of flights in the Humanitarian category in the Bid Flight Division will continue to be utilised. I have to be forthright in saying that although flights have been posted in there, the majority are not flown, however we will continue to provide the flights as the need arises.

It is my request that rostered pilots continue to remain patient during this period.

Norm Edwards
AirSource President
Executive Management Team