News

FSExpo 2023 Review!

Dear SVA Pilots,

I wanted to take a moment to share with you the exciting highlights and accomplishments from our recent participation at Flight Sim Expo 2023. Our presence at the Expo allowed us to showcase our virtual airline to a wide audience and establish valuable connections within the flight simulation community.

At the Expo, we had the opportunity to interact with over 2,000 attendees from all around the world, representing the flight simulator community. We were honored to be in the company of renowned names such as PMDG, Navigraph, Microsoft, ini Builds, Honeycomb, Thrustmaster, and Orbx, who were also showcasing their latest updates and innovations.

Our booth attracted significant attention, with approximately 75% of the Expo attendees visiting the Southwest Virtual Airlines exhibit. It was a pleasure to meet and engage with so many enthusiastic individuals who share our passion for aviation and flight simulation.

I am thrilled to announce that during our time at the Expo, we successfully formed several partnerships that will benefit our members and enhance the Southwest Virtual Airlines experience. We have partnered with Flight Sim Association, Nimbus, and TFDI, to name a few. These partnerships offer opportunities for collaboration and further exposure for our virtual airline.

Moreover, I am delighted to inform you that we have secured partnerships with Sporty's Pilot Shop, Flying Magazine, and Tobii. Expect an update soon with the details regarding all of these amazing partnerships as we work with our new partners a way forward to better shape the Aviation and Flight Simulator communities!

The success of our exhibit at FSExpo 2023 was made possible by the collective effort and dedication of our members. I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to all those who contributed, whether by attending the Expo, assisting with booth preparations, or representing Southwest Virtual Airlines with enthusiasm and professionalism.

As we reflect on our accomplishments, it is important to recognize areas where we can improve. We have noted valuable recommendations for future Expos, such as securing a larger booth space, incorporating additional technology for better engagement, and enhancing our exhibit design to provide an even more compelling experience for attendees.

I want to extend my appreciation to each and every one of you for being a part of Southwest Virtual Airlines and for your continued support. Our participation at FSExpo 2023 has opened new doors for us, fostering growth, collaboration, and opportunities that will undoubtedly benefit our virtual airline and give back to our members.

If you have any questions, suggestions, or would like to share your experiences from the Expo, please feel free to reach out. We value your feedback and input.

Thank you once again for your unwavering commitment to Southwest Virtual Airlines. Together, we will continue to soar to new heights.

Enjoy the 4th of July Weekend! I hope to see you all in the skies soon!

Braden Thompson
Vice President of Operations
Office: 214-960-4741

FlightSimExpo 2023

Hello SVA Pilots,

Do you have any plans this weekend? The answer should be FlightSimExpo and Group Flights with Southwest Virtual Airlines!

We would like to remind all of our members of events that are happening this weekend.

1. FlightSimExpo



Date: Saturday, June 24 and Sunday June 25
Time: 0900 CDT to 1700 CDT (Saturday) and 0900 CDT to 1500 CDT (Sunday)
Location: Lone Star Flight Museum, FlightSimExpo Booth WE3

Southwest Virtual Airlines will be attending our first in-person event at this year's annual FlightSimExpo. FlightSimExpo is one of the world's largest dedicated flight simulation conferences. This years conference is set to take place in Houston, TX. If you live in or near Houston, TX, please come visit us. For those of you who are not able to attend in person, we strongly encourage you to check out the two (2) group flights we have planned for this weekend (details can be found below).

Be sure to also follow us on Instagram as we will be streaming live during the Expo. https://www.instagram.com/swavirtual/

FlightSimExpo details can be found here: https://flightsimexpo.com/

2. Texas Triangle (Group Flight # 1)



Date: Saturday, June 24
Time: 1200 PM CDT (1700Z)
Location: Texas

The FlightSimExpo is taking place in Houston on the weekend of June 24th and June 25th. We will have staff on hand recruiting at the Expo and we want to make our presence known! To do that, we are planning two (2) group flights over the weekend. First up, on Saturday, June 24th, 2023 at 1700Z, we have planned an event called The Texas Triangle. This group flight will consist of three flights. We will start at Dallas Love (DAL), head down southwest to Austin (AUS), proceed east to Houston Hobby (HOU) and finish up heading north back to Dallas Love.

We want to have a strong showing for the Expo, so we encourage all pilots to come out and fly as many legs as you can. Help show everyone why we are the best Virtual Airline out there!

If you haven't picked up iniBuilds KDAL or Texan Simulation KHOU scenery, don't forget we have discounts through Southwest Virtual Airlines! Please see #inibuilds or #texan_simulations on our discord server for more information!

More details can be found here: https://www.swavirtual.com/wn/index.php?lib=events&id=714

3. Windy City Fly In (Group Flight # 2)



Date: Sunday, June 25
Time: 1100 AM MDT (1700Z)
Location: Denver, CO (DEN)

For our 2nd group flight, we will start in the Mile High City of Denver (DEN), and head Northeast to Chicago-Midway (MDW). We are wanting have a strong showing for the FlightSimExpo, so we encourage all pilots to come out and fly as many legs as you can in the two day span of events. Help show everyone why we are the best Virtual Airline out there!

More details can be found here: https://www.swavirtual.com/wn/index.php?lib=events&id=715

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On another note, I wanted to offer my sincere thanks to everyone at Southwest Virtual Airlines (SVA). In the last several months, we have seen a lot of growth in our virtual airline. We have: nearly 1500 active members, which tirelessly log hundreds of reports each day; a strong, active and very dedicated Staff Team; a comprehensive Training Department which includes real world Southwest Airlines pilots in its team; and our recently launched LUVCARS 5 software which pushes the envelope of what ACARS software can do.

Thank you to everyone who continues to support and make our community stronger. I look forward to seeing you in the air or in person if you plan on attending the Expo.

Regards,

Ryan Flynn
Chief Executive Officer
Southwest Virtual Airlines

Record Day!

"I want to add a HUGE THANK YOU to everyone who helped us with LUVCARS 5. We had some ambitious goals with this new version and I think we did a really good job delivering them to you. If you have any suggestions to make it even better, please reach out. See you all in the skies!" - Ryan Flynn

LUVCARS 5 Released!

LUVCARS 5 (L5) is live! After an immense amount of work and feedback, L5 is finally ready to go! Here's a message from our CEO and L5 developer, Ryan Flynn!





Setting ourselves apart from other virtual airlines has always been within Southwest Virtual Airlines' interest. We take immense pride in continuing this ambition by using our own website and software for flight tracking and reporting!

We certainly could not have made it this far without the support of our community! It is more than satisfying to see the happy responses from pilots when they see their long-desired suggestions come to fruition! We hope pilots continue to enjoy the new client and further remain happy here at Southwest Virtual Airlines!

L5 New Feature List:

• New User Interface
  
• Dark/Light Mode UI Toggle
  
• Performance Calculations
  
• SimBrief Integration
  
• Departure/Arrival Airport Weather + D-ATIS (as available)
  
• Departure/Arrival Airport Scheduled Gates (as available)
  
• Checklist Integration
  
• Flight Diversions
  
• Auto-Download/Import of Website Bookings
  
• Report Review
  
• New Announcement Sound set
  
• Seatbelt Sign Announcement Trigger
  
• New Announcements Section
  
• General Chat Improvements
  
• Direct Messaging
  

L5 Team:

Developer: Ryan Flynn

Project Contributors:
Matt G, Braden T - L5 Documentation
John M - Dispatch and Performance tool data

Testing Team: Matt G, Braden T, Kayden T, David D, Gene P, Jameil J, Dennis S, Colby M, Chris W, Tyler J, Noah H, Matt P, Devon H, Zach F, Matt M, Rodney S, Brian M, John M, Steve I, Davor K, Michael S, Justin S, Nathan O, Jaser M, Steve P, Eric M, Jehu L, Dylan C, Chris F, Gustavo T, Travis K, Chancz M, Greg E, Brad W, Shaun H, Ethan H, Marvin A, Matthew P, Christopher K, John C, Matthew R, William H, Keith R, Scott G, Adrian L, Greg L, Brandon C, David R, Dakota L, Matthew M, Brett J, Brian L, Ron C, Mark C, Daniel W, Rashon C, Eddie C, Scott M, David A, Antonio K, Ryan S, Noah V, Cameron W, Liron D, Jim A, Weston H, Nicholas J, Le'Will B, Bob K, William G, Derrick L, Richard S, Dax D, John M, Ryan R, Pete W, Jason P, William P, Jason N, Geoff B, Jeffrey W, Dwayne V, Isaiah C, Daxton D, Jeff T, Jason A, Jonathan D, Hunter G, Brayden S, Trenton T, Jack F, Chris C, Ronald M, Tony P, Ben S, Matt P


Again, thank you to all of our contributors for their incredible work and feedback to make our client what it is today! If pilots have any feedback regarding the client, they can send us an email, or contact us via Discord!

See you in the skies!