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Hi all, Platinum Airways has started a new Destination of the Week theme: Retired. We'll be visiting four boneyards: Davis-Monthan AFB (KDMA), Mojave Air & Space Port (KMHV), Pinal Airpark (KMZJ) and Alice Springs (YBAS). DOTW is part of our public site, so non-members can also enjoy these missions. Stijn

Platinum Airways, the Open Skies virtual airline, has entered its summer routine with Delayed. The Destination of the Week series will be visiting nine airports with an exceptional track record as far as punctuality is concerned. Millions of tourists will be boarding aircraft again over the next two months, and many of them are bound to be frustrated by delayed departures. Delayed presents a heads-up of the world’s best and worst performing airports. Based on the most recent annual flight data statistics by Flightstats, the series will take off with the worst representatives of five continents. The absolute worst airport of them all in terms of departure punctuality is Soekarno-Hatta (WIII) with a dismal 35.22% of flights departing on time. Europe’s poorest performer is Manchester (EGCC) with 55.98%. Next, we have Abu Dhabi (OMAA) with a score of 60.51%. South America brings us Simon Bolivar (SVMI) in Venezuela at 61.76%. And Africa concludes the list of bad performers, with Cairo (HECA) at 69.05%. However, there are some really good airports as well, as the final four airports demonstrate. Cape Town (FACT) has an on-time departure record of 91.4%. Helsinki’s (EFHK) score is 92.22%. Delayed’s eighth destination is Tocumen (MPTO) with 93.23%. And we end the series with the best performing airport of them all, Itami-Osaka (RJOO) with a whopping 94.74% of all flights departing on time. Each DOTW comes with charts to be downloaded and links to scenery files. A selection of YouTube videos usually contains flight deck and ground views with landings and departures. About Platinum Airways: Keen to deliver on its mission to keep the fun in the hobby, Platinum Airways is probably the only virtual airline to combine an Open Skies policy, allowing its pilots to fly any mission of their choice with the aircraft of their choice at the time of their choice, with a strategic hub network. The carefully selected hubs, Newark (KEWR), Dallas-Fort Worth (KDFW), Vancouver (CYVR), Perth (YPPH) and Brussels (EBBR), should be attractive to a global membership. In addition, Platinum Airways offers its pilots an often cheeky Destination of the Week, Military and Cargo. Sticking to the KISS principle (Keep It Straight and Simple), Platinum Airways hosts an active forum and a screenshot of the week competition, with the winner providing the main picture on its home page for the next week. For more information, please visit www.platinumairways.org or mail info [at] platinumairways.org.

Platinum Airways, the Open Skies virtual airline, is celebrating its 250th Destination of the Week with a special series that was compiled by its own pilots. Runway 250 will visit past and future of this popular feature by the Open Skies virtual airline. As Destination of the Week #250 was approaching, Platinum Airways asked its pilots how this milestone had to be celebrated. 25 posts in the Platinum Airways Pilot Lounge forum later, the new series was born. Runway 250 kicks off with Entebbe Airport (HUEN) on the Equator, symbolizing Platinum Airways’ policy to cater for virtual pilots in the northern and southern hemisphere. Although DOTW tries to visit new airports, some airports have featured twice. The second RWY250 destination is the first airport to have reached that status: Innsbruck’s Kranebitten Airport (LOWI) that first appeared in the Conquest of the Snowy Mountains theme and again in the Thin Air series, as the highest European airport with a scheduled service. The third RWY250 destination was the common denominator of several requests: an airport capable of accommodating heavies, a challenging approach and an icon. The result was the Checkerboard approach of Kai Tak (VHHH). The final RWY250 corresponds with Platinum Airways’ most basic philosophy of the Open Skies virtual airline: our pilots fly the mission of choice with the aircraft of choice at the time of choice. Therefore, our pilots will be free to select their DOTW on one condition: that they motivate their choice in the Pilot Lounge forum. As usual, DOTW offers charts to be downloaded and links to scenery files. A selection of YouTube videos usually contains flight deck and ground views with landings and departures. About Platinum Airways: Keen to deliver on its mission to keep the fun in the hobby, Platinum Airways is probably the only virtual airline to combine an Open Skies policy, allowing its pilots to fly any mission of their choice with the aircraft of their choice at the time of their choice, with a strategic hub network. The carefully selected hubs, Newark (KEWR), Dallas-Fort Worth (KDFW), Vancouver (CYVR), Perth (YPPH) and Brussels (EBBR), should be attractive to a global membership. In addition, Platinum Airways offers its pilots an often cheeky Destination of the Week, Military and Cargo. Sticking to the KISS principle (Keep It Straight and Simple), Platinum Airways hosts an active forum and a screenshot of the week competition, with the winner providing the main picture on its home page for the next week. For more information, please visit www.platinumairways.org or mail info [at] platinumairways.org.

Hi all, Platinum Airways' Destination of the Week series currently stands at #247. That means that 250 is just arund the corner, and we intend to do something special. We have a discussion running in our members-only forum, but we know that non-members visit this page frequently. After all, FlightSim publishes our theme announcements every second month (thanks Nels). Therefore, we would like to extend an invitation to everyone to send us their suggestion via our contact webform. Thanks, Stijn

Platinum Airways looks at volcanoes Over the next five weeks, Platinum Airways, the very virtual Open Skies airline, will look at the effect of volcanoes on aviation. The Ash Destination of the Week series will take us around the globe. Four years ago, large parts of European air space were closed due to volcanic ash clouds. Platinum Airways’ May DOTW theme will focus on the effect of volcanoes on aviation. The series starts with a visit to the Eyjafjallajökull in southern Iceland, as this volcano’s eruption led to the cancellation of thousands of flights, leaving millions of passengers stranded or rerouted. Our first DOTW is Reykjavík’s domestic airport (BIRK). Arguably the first major emergency caused by volcanic ash was BA9 from EGLL to NZAA, with several stops. On its leg from WMKK to YPPH, the B744 flew through a volcanic ash cloud that originated from Mount Galunggung. Its four engines shut down and the aircraft successfully diverted to Halim Perdanakusuma Airport (WIHH). The third Ash DOTW takes us to Clark International (RPLC), the closest airport to Mount Pinubo, the volcano with the strongest eruption over the past decades. The two final Ash DOTW’s look at what may happen in the future. The largest supervolcano on land is Ash destination #4: the Yellowstone Caldera. The main access airport into Yellowstone is Jackson Hole (KJAC). We end the series with the volcano that poses a potential threat to the largest population living underneath, Mount Vesuvius near Naples, Italy, and its airport, LIRN. As usual, DOTW offers charts to be downloaded and links to scenery files. A selection of YouTube videos usually contains flight deck and ground views with landings and departures. About Platinum Airways: Keen to deliver on its mission to keep the fun in the hobby, Platinum Airways is probably the only virtual airline to combine an Open Skies policy, allowing its pilots to fly any mission of their choice with the aircraft of their choice at the time of their choice, with a strategic hub network. The carefully selected hubs, Newark (KEWR), Dallas-Fort Worth (KDFW), Vancouver (CYVR), Perth (YPPH) and Brussels (EBBR), should be attractive to a global membership. In addition, Platinum Airways offers its pilots an often cheeky Destination of the Week, Military and Cargo. Sticking to the KISS principle (Keep It Straight and Simple), Platinum Airways hosts an active forum and a screenshot of the week competition, with the winner providing the main picture on its home page for the next week. For more information, please visit www.platinumairways.org or mail info [at] platinumairways.org.

Platinum Airways announces that it is adding online flying to its offering. The very virtual Open Skies airline will seek affiliation with VATSIM as soon as its online membership meets the online flying platform’s requirements. In its three years of existence, Platinum Airways has established itself as a high content and low barrier virtual airline that focuses on its pilots and not on replicating a real-world airline. As the pioneer of Open Skies in the world of virtual airlines, Platinum Airways allows its pilots to fly the mission of their choice with the aircraft of their choice at the time of their choice. By default, Platinum Airways has always been an offline VA, as it trusted its pilots to file correct PIREPs. As several aspiring members indicated over the past months that they prefer an online experience, Platinum Airways management has decided to add online to its offering. Platinum Airways’ default policy remains that it is an offline airline. However, in order to provide corporate support to pilots who have or would like to join an online network, Platinum Airways will seek VA affiliation with VATSIM once it meets the online flying platform’s membership requirements for virtual airlines. Existing and aspiring members are invited to state whether they should be considered offline or online pilots. In support, Platinum Airways will appoint an online manager and will enable the online membership to communicate special events and other activities via the Platinum Airways website. Platinum Airways hopes that by removing this potential barrier, it will be in a position to attract a pilots segment that it was unable to service until now. About Platinum Airways: Keen to deliver on its mission to keep the fun in the hobby, Platinum Airways is probably the only virtual airline to combine an Open Skies policy, allowing its pilots to fly any mission of their choice with the aircraft of their choice at the time of their choice, with a strategic hub network. The carefully selected hubs, Newark (KEWR), Dallas-Fort Worth (KDFW), Vancouver (CYVR), Perth (YPPH) and Brussels (EBBR), should be attractive to a global membership. In addition, Platinum Airways offers its pilots an often cheeky Destination of the Week, Relief, Military and Cargo missions and a Flight Dispatch division. Sticking to the KISS principle (Keep It Straight and Simple), Platinum Airways hosts an active forum and a screenshot of the week competition, with the winner providing the main picture on its home page for the next week. For more information, please visit www.platinumairways.org or mail info [at] platinumairways.org.

Platinum Airways, the very virtual Open Skies airline, will be in the southern hemisphere in November on a whale watching tour. Destination of the Week will visit four major whale watching locations that include some surf. Platinum Airways’ November DOTW theme usually takes us to scenic autumn destinations in the northern hemisphere. This year will be different, as we’ll be focusing our attention on spring in the southern hemisphere. This is the time of year when whale watching is at its best down south. So with the sliders at maximum, we’ll be visiting four locations that have earned their reputation as great whale watching spots. The series kicks off at George (FAGG), a small airport on South Africa’s Garden Route along the Cape coast and not too far from the village of Hermanus, where Southern Right whales can be watched from shore. Destination number two is Hobart (YMHB) on Tasmania, and Southern Right and Humpback whales are likely to be viewed there. From Hobart, we’ll travel to Brazil’s Salvador (SBSV) in Bahia state, a top location for Humpbacks. Whale surfing concludes in New Zealand’s Christchurch Airport (NZCH), the best airport to travel to Kaikoura. This is arguably the world’s best whale spotting location, with Giant Sperm whales, Humpbacks, Pilot whales, Blue whales and Southern Right whales visible depending upon the season. DOTW missions qualify for a 5% bonus if completed within the allotted time span. They come with charts, links to scenery files for FS9, FSX and X-Plane if available, and a selection of YouTube videos. About Platinum Airways: Keen to deliver on its mission to keep the fun in the hobby, Platinum Airways is probably the only virtual airline to combine an Open Skies policy, allowing its pilots to fly any mission of their choice with the aircraft of their choice at the time of their choice, with a strategic hub network. The carefully selected hubs, Newark (KEWR), Dallas-Fort Worth (KDFW), Vancouver (CYVR), Perth (YPPH) and Brussels (EBBR), should be attractive to a global membership. In addition, Platinum Airways offers its pilots an often cheeky Destination of the Week, Military and Cargo. Sticking to the KISS principle (Keep It Straight and Simple), Platinum Airways hosts an active forum and a screenshot of the week competition, with the winner providing the main picture on its home page for the next week. For more information, please visit www.platinumairways.org or mail info [at] platinumairways.org.

Platinum Airways to assist Santa in December Platinum Airways will be assisting Santa on his annual epic journey. Throughout December, the very virtual Open Skies airline will fly presents made by the world’s leading manufacturers to Santa’s home airport and Platinum Airways will also have them delivered to chimneys all over the world for Christmas. Meet Ho ho ho – Platinum Airways’ December Destination of the Week series. Platinum Airways’ December Destination of the Week series was inspired by an email by Santa. Due to supply chain problems, the holy man was unable to stock sufficient presents and he requested Platinum Airways to assist him. First and foremost, Santa looks after the little ones, and Platinum Airways’ solution was to organise flights between the world’s leading toy retailer’s headquarters and EFRO. The leading toy retailer is, of course, Toys “R” Us, headquartered not far from one of Platinum Airways’ hubs, Newark (KEWR). But Santa’s surviving modern times depends to a large degree on the Holy Man looking after mum and dad. For mum, Santa needed to stock up with supplies made by the world’s most valuable brand of luxury products, Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy. This means that the second Ho ho ho mission will take our pilots from Orly Airport (LFPO) to Rovaniemi. The third mission, aimed at dads, was equally straight forward: dads like IPhones, IPads, IPods and other ICatching gadgets. Apple, the world’s leading tech company, being located near San Jose, CA, the third mission will link KSJC and EFRO. The fourth and final Ho ho ho mission is probably the most rewarding one: Platinum pilots will deliver all those presents to kids, mums and dads close to their home town airport or the closest airport that is capable of handling flights from EFRO. DOTW missions qualify for a 5% bonus if completed within the allotted time span. They come with charts, links to scenery files for FS9, FSX and X-Plane if available, and a selection of YouTube videos with approaches and take-offs. About Platinum Airways: Keen to deliver on its mission to keep the fun in the hobby, Platinum Airways is probably the only virtual airline to combine an Open Skies policy, allowing its pilots to fly any mission of their choice with the aircraft of their choice at the time of their choice, with a strategic hub network. The carefully selected hubs, Newark (KEWR), Dallas-Fort Worth (KDFW), Vancouver (CYVR), Perth (YPPH) and Brussels (EBBR), should be attractive to a global membership. In addition, Platinum Airways offers its pilots an often cheeky Destination of the Week, Relief, Military and Cargo missions and a soon to be launched Flight Dispatch division. Sticking to the KISS principle (Keep It Straight and Simple), Platinum Airways hosts an active forum and a screenshot of the week competition, with the winner providing the main picture on its home page for the next week. For more information, please visit www.platinumairways.org or mail info [at] platinumairways.org.

Honouring a tradition, Platinum Airways’ Destination of the Week will be visiting ski country in January. In a series called On Golden Slopes, the very virtual Open Skies airline will touch down at four special runways in the heart of winter sport country. On Golden Slopes builds on Platinum Airways’ tradition to visit ski resort destinations during the month of January. This year’s destinations are no exception. On Golden Slopes kicks off with a visit to St Johann in Tirol (LOIJ), a short runway airfield near Austria’s famous Kitzbühel region, where the world’s most challenging downhill race will be run at the Hahnenkamm on 26 January. The series continues at the other side of the Atlantic, with the private Buckhorn Ranch Airport (0CO2) near Crested Butte, CO, a former coal mining town now called the last great Colorado ski town. The third Golden Slope area of St Moritz, Switzerland is near one of Europe’s most challenging airfields: Samedan or Engadin Airport (LSZS). On Golden Slopes concludes with Heber City Municipal Airport or Russ McDonald Field (36U), close to Utah’s skiing country. DOTW missions qualify for a 5% bonus if completed within the allotted time span. They come with charts, links to scenery files for FS9, FSX and X-Plane if available, and a selection of YouTube videos with approaches and take-offs. About Platinum Airways: Keen to deliver on its mission to keep the fun in the hobby, Platinum Airways is probably the only virtual airline to combine an Open Skies policy, allowing its pilots to fly any mission of their choice with the aircraft of their choice at the time of their choice, with a strategic hub network. The carefully selected hubs, Newark (KEWR), Dallas-Fort Worth (KDFW), Vancouver (CYVR), Perth (YPPH) and Brussels (EBBR), should be attractive to a global membership. In addition, Platinum Airways offers its pilots an often cheeky Destination of the Week, Relief, Military and Cargo missions and a soon to be launched Flight Dispatch division. Sticking to the KISS principle (Keep It Straight and Simple), Platinum Airways hosts an active forum and a screenshot of the week competition, with the winner providing the main picture on its home page for the next week. For more information, please visit www.platinumairways.org or mail info [at] platinumairways.org.

Platinum Airways, the very virtual Open Skies airline, is about to start yet another Destination of the Week theme. As autumn or fall is setting in in the northern hemisphere, Platinum Airways’ pilots are hoping for a dry Indian Summer that will allow them to enjoy the wonderful seasonal colours. The series will visit three North American and two European airports that are located in forest environments. The month of October is full with colour in the northern hemisphere, as leaves are slowly but surely turning yellow, red and brown. Indian Summer will take DOTW to five airports that will offer the best of these colours. The series kicks off with Buffalo Niagara International Airport (KBUF). From there, we’ll cross the Atlantic heading for Germany’s Baden-Baden Airport (EDSB) on the western foothills of the Black Forest. The third Indian Summer DOTW is KBTV – Burlington, the main airport of what is probably the most densely forested state Vermont. For week four, we’re back in Central Europe, for LOWK (Klagenfurt). The Indian Summer DOTW series ends with CYQT or Thunder Bay on Lake Superior in Ontario, Canada. Regulars of Platinum Airways’ DOTW series will know that each destination comes with navigational charts and links to scenery files (FS9, FSX and X-Plane) and other aids (like real life approach and departure videos). Pilots visiting a current DOTW are rewarded with a 5% bonus. Past DOTW’s are archived and remain available to pilots, albeit without DOTW bonus. About Platinum Airways: Keen to deliver on its mission to keep the fun in the hobby, Platinum Airways is probably the only virtual airline to combine an Open Skies policy, allowing its pilots to fly any mission of their choice with the aircraft of their choice at the time of their choice, with a strategic hub network. The carefully selected hubs, Newark (KEWR), Dallas-Fort Worth (KDFW), Vancouver (CYVR), Perth (YPPH) and Brussels (EBBR), should be attractive to a global membership. In addition, Platinum Airways offers its pilots an often cheeky Destination of the Week, Relief, Military and Cargo missions and a soon to be launched Flight Dispatch division. Sticking to the KISS principle (Keep It Straight and Simple), Platinum Airways hosts an active forum and a screenshot of the week competition, with the winner providing the main picture on its home page for the next week. For more information, please visit www.platinumairways.org or mail info [at] platinumairways.org.

Platinum Airways, the very virtual Open Skies airline, has announced its next Destination of the Week series. With Goooooooool, Platinum Airways hopes to score at the 2014 FIFA World Cup currently underway in Brazil. Only people who are locked off from reality won’t know that the 2014 FIFA World Cup is being played in Brazil at the moment. With football (or soccer, as the sport is also known) arguably being the world’s most popular sport, Platinum Airways simply has to be present. The DOTW theme, Goooooooool, marks the Latin American way of celebrating a goal. Goooooooool kicks off at Brasilia (SBBR), the capital city of Brazil and a World Cup host city. The second Goooooooool DOTW takes us to the legendary Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro, where the final will be played on 13 July. In line with Platinum Airways’ tradition to go for the unexpected, the DOTW is not Rio’s major international airport, but Santos Dumont Airport (SBRJ) with its short runway and difficult approach. And as far as the third and final Goooooooool DOTW is concerned: we don’t know yet, because it will take us to the airport of the winning country’s capital city. We do expect our flight crew to remain sober during the flight, and leave the celebrating to the passengers. As usual, DOTW offers charts to be downloaded and links to scenery files. A selection of YouTube videos usually contains flight deck and ground views with landings and departures. About Platinum Airways: Keen to deliver on its mission to keep the fun in the hobby, Platinum Airways is probably the only virtual airline to combine an Open Skies policy, allowing its pilots to fly any mission of their choice with the aircraft of their choice at the time of their choice, with a strategic hub network. The carefully selected hubs, Newark (KEWR), Dallas-Fort Worth (KDFW), Vancouver (CYVR), Perth (YPPH) and Brussels (EBBR), should be attractive to a global membership. In addition, Platinum Airways offers its pilots an often cheeky Destination of the Week, Military and Cargo. Sticking to the KISS principle (Keep It Straight and Simple), Platinum Airways hosts an active forum and a screenshot of the week competition, with the winner providing the main picture on its home page for the next week. For more information, please visit www.platinumairways.org or mail info [at] platinumairways.org.

Platinum Airways, the very virtual Open Skies airline, is starting the new year with Liftoff. The new Destination of the Week series will visit airfields that service the most important launch centres of the four leading space powers: the United States, Russia, the European Union and China. Platinum Airways’ first Destination of the Week series of the year is a powerful one. Liftoff pays tribute to the four leading global space powers, the United States, Russia, the European Union and China. In the next four weeks, DOTW will visit the airfields that service the world’s most important space travel launch installations. Liftoff 1 will visit Cape Canaveral with two airfields: the US Air Force’s Cape Canaveral AFS Skid Strip (KXMR) and NASA’s Shuttle Landing Facility (KTTS). The second week consists of a visit to Baikonur, the main Russian launch installation in Kazakhstan, with Yubileyniy (UAON) and Krayniy (UAOL). The third Liftoff will visit the launch pad used by the European Space Agency, Kourou in French Guyana, and its airport QKR (that doesn’t have an ICAO code). And we end our series with a visit to the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre near the Chinese-Mongolian border, and Jiuquan Airport (ZLJQ). All Liftoff destinations will come with charts and sceneries, as some of these airports are not present in all default sim versions. About Platinum Airways: Keen to deliver on its mission to keep the fun in the hobby, Platinum Airways is probably the only virtual airline to combine an Open Skies policy, allowing its pilots to fly any mission of their choice with the aircraft of their choice at the time of their choice, with a strategic hub network. The carefully selected hubs, Newark (KEWR), Dallas-Fort Worth (KDFW), Vancouver (CYVR), Perth (YPPH) and Brussels (EBBR), should be attractive to a global membership. In addition, Platinum Airways offers its pilots an often cheeky Destination of the Week, Military and Cargo. Sticking to the KISS principle (Keep It Straight and Simple), Platinum Airways hosts an active forum and a screenshot of the week competition, with the winner providing the main picture on its home page for the next week. For more information, please visit www.platinumairways.org or mail info [at] platinumairways.org.

Platinum Airways, the very virtual Open Skies airline, will remember MH370 and its passengers and crew. Destination of the Week will visit four airports that play a significant role in the search and recovery operation of the ill-fated Malaysian flight. In Memory Of MH370 will start at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (WMKK), where the B777 took off just after midnight local time on 8 March. The second destination is the Royal Australian Air Force Base Pearce (YPPA) near Perth, Western Australia, from where search missions to the Southern Indian Ocean depart. In Memory Of MH370 then visits Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (KSEA), the closest airport to the National Safety Transportation Board’s Western and Pacific offices. As the aircraft was built by Boeing, the NTSB is bound to be involved in the investigation. And we end In Memory Of MH370 with a visit to another investigative authority, the Air Accidents Investigation Branch based at Farnborough (EGLF), as the AAIB was instrumental in determining the probable crash location based on satellite data from INMARSAT. As usual, DOTW offers charts to be downloaded and links to scenery files. A selection of YouTube videos usually contains flight deck and ground views with landings and departures. About Platinum Airways: Keen to deliver on its mission to keep the fun in the hobby, Platinum Airways is probably the only virtual airline to combine an Open Skies policy, allowing its pilots to fly any mission of their choice with the aircraft of their choice at the time of their choice, with a strategic hub network. The carefully selected hubs, Newark (KEWR), Dallas-Fort Worth (KDFW), Vancouver (CYVR), Perth (YPPH) and Brussels (EBBR), should be attractive to a global membership. In addition, Platinum Airways offers its pilots an often cheeky Destination of the Week, Military and Cargo. Sticking to the KISS principle (Keep It Straight and Simple), Platinum Airways hosts an active forum and a screenshot of the week competition, with the winner providing the main picture on its home page for the next week. For more information, please visit www.platinumairways.org or mail info [at] platinumairways.org.

Platinum Airways, the very virtual Open Skies airline, will remember MH370 and its passengers and crew. Destination of the Week will visit four airports that play a significant role in the search and recovery operation of the ill-fated Malaysian flight. In Memory Of MH370 will start at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (WMKK), where the B777 took off just after midnight local time on 8 March. The second destination is the Royal Australian Air Force Base Pearce (YPPA) near Perth, Western Australia, from where search missions to the Southern Indian Ocean depart. In Memory Of MH370 then visits Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (KSEA), the closest airport to the National Safety Transportation Board’s Western and Pacific offices. As the aircraft was built by Boeing, the NTSB is bound to be involved in the investigation. And we end In Memory Of MH370 with a visit to another investigative authority, the Air Accidents Investigation Branch based at Farnborough (EGLF), as the AAIB was instrumental in determining the probable crash location based on satellite data from INMARSAT. As usual, DOTW offers charts to be downloaded and links to scenery files. A selection of YouTube videos usually contains flight deck and ground views with landings and departures. About Platinum Airways: Keen to deliver on its mission to keep the fun in the hobby, Platinum Airways is probably the only virtual airline to combine an Open Skies policy, allowing its pilots to fly any mission of their choice with the aircraft of their choice at the time of their choice, with a strategic hub network. The carefully selected hubs, Newark (KEWR), Dallas-Fort Worth (KDFW), Vancouver (CYVR), Perth (YPPH) and Brussels (EBBR), should be attractive to a global membership. In addition, Platinum Airways offers its pilots an often cheeky Destination of the Week, Military and Cargo. Sticking to the KISS principle (Keep It Straight and Simple), Platinum Airways hosts an active forum and a screenshot of the week competition, with the winner providing the main picture on its home page for the next week. For more information, please visit www.platinumairways.org or mail info [at] platinumairways.org.

During the summer holidays, Platinum Airways will be holding a Great Gig in the Sky. In July and August, the Open Skies virtual airline will be visiting some of the greatest music festivals around the globe. The Great Gig in the Sky, a track on Pink Floyd’s historic The Dark Side of the Moon album, is the best description for Platinum Airways’ summer holidays destination of the week series. For nine consecutive weeks, the Open Skies virtual airline will be transferring music revellers and roadie material from festival to festival. The first Gig is the world famous Roskilde Festival on Denmark’s Zealand Island that runs from 30 June to 7 July. This event is serviced by a double runway airfield, Roskilde Airport (EKRK). From there, we travel to TW Classic in Werchter, Belgium, a one day event on 13 July featuring The Boss and his E Street Band, Carlos Santana, Blondie, Keane and others. As Werchter is right under the final approach path to RWY25R, Brussels (EBBR) is the logical airport for this event. Gig # 3 is the Grassroots Festival in Trumansburg on Finger Lakes, NY, with Ithaca Tompkins Regional (KITH) as its feeder airport. From there, we travel to the Fuji Rock Festival held in the Naeba ski resort (and no longer at the foot of Mount Fuji). This means that we’ll fly into Narita (RJAA). We’ll cross into August with Lollapalooza in Chicago, IL. As we have already visited O’Hare in DOTW, we’ll make Midway Airport (KMDW) our destination. Our sixth Great Gig in the Sky is Way Out West, for which we need to travel east to Gothenburg, Sweden, to Gothenburg City Airport (ESGP). We cross the Atlantic again for the farewell party of the World Electronic Music Festival in Toronto, Ontario, which takes us to Toronto-Pearson International (CYYZ). As distance is no problem, we’re hopping over to Europe again, for the Hip Hop Kemp Festival in Hradec Kralowe in the Czech Republic from 22 to 24 August, and its airport (LKHK). We end our Great Gig in the Sky with an unusual festival: a full week’s Burning Man in Nevada’s Black Rock Desert. Although a temporary airfield is set up at the festival site, we’ll have Reno-Tahoe International (KRNO) as our DOTW. DOTW missions qualify for a 5% bonus if completed within the allotted time span. They come with charts, links to scenery files for FS9, FSX and X-Plane if available, and a selection of YouTube videos. About Platinum Airways: Keen to deliver on its mission to keep the fun in the hobby, Platinum Airways is probably the only virtual airline to combine an Open Skies policy, allowing its pilots to fly any mission of their choice with the aircraft of their choice at the time of their choice, with a strategic hub network. The carefully selected hubs, Newark (KEWR), Dallas-Fort Worth (KDFW), Vancouver (CYVR), Perth (YPPH) and Brussels (EBBR), should be attractive to a global membership. In addition, Platinum Airways offers its pilots an often cheeky Destination of the Week, Relief, Military and Cargo missions and a soon to be launched Flight Dispatch division. Sticking to the KISS principle (Keep It Straight and Simple), Platinum Airways hosts an active forum and a screenshot of the week competition, with the winner providing the main picture on its home page for the next week. For more information, please visit www.platinumairways.org or mail info [at] platinumairways.org.

During the summer holidays, Platinum Airways will be holding a Great Gig in the Sky. In July and August, the Open Skies virtual airline will be visiting some of the greatest music festivals around the globe. The Great Gig in the Sky, a track on Pink Floyd’s historic The Dark Side of the Moon album, is the best description for Platinum Airways’ summer holidays destination of the week series. For nine consecutive weeks, the Open Skies virtual airline will be transferring music revellers and roadie material from festival to festival. The first Gig is the world famous Roskilde Festival on Denmark’s Zealand Island that runs from 30 June to 7 July. This event is serviced by a double runway airfield, Roskilde Airport (EKRK). From there, we travel to TW Classic in Werchter, Belgium, a one day event on 13 July featuring The Boss and his E Street Band, Carlos Santana, Blondie, Keane and others. As Werchter is right under the final approach path to RWY25R, Brussels (EBBR) is the logical airport for this event. Gig # 3 is the Grassroots Festival in Trumansburg on Finger Lakes, NY, with Ithaca Tompkins Regional (KITH) as its feeder airport. From there, we travel to the Fuji Rock Festival held in the Naeba ski resort (and no longer at the foot of Mount Fuji). This means that we’ll fly into Narita (RJAA). We’ll cross into August with Lollapalooza in Chicago, IL. As we have already visited O’Hare in DOTW, we’ll make Midway Airport (KMDW) our destination. Our sixth Great Gig in the Sky is Way Out West, for which we need to travel east to Gothenburg, Sweden, to Gothenburg City Airport (ESGP). We cross the Atlantic again for the farewell party of the World Electronic Music Festival in Toronto, Ontario, which takes us to Toronto-Pearson International (CYYZ). As distance is no problem, we’re hopping over to Europe again, for the Hip Hop Kemp Festival in Hradec Kralowe in the Czech Republic from 22 to 24 August, and its airport (LKHK). We end our Great Gig in the Sky with an unusual festival: a full week’s Burning Man in Nevada’s Black Rock Desert. Although a temporary airfield is set up at the festival site, we’ll have Reno-Tahoe International (KRNO) as our DOTW. DOTW missions qualify for a 5% bonus if completed within the allotted time span. They come with charts, links to scenery files for FS9, FSX and X-Plane if available, and a selection of YouTube videos. About Platinum Airways: Keen to deliver on its mission to keep the fun in the hobby, Platinum Airways is probably the only virtual airline to combine an Open Skies policy, allowing its pilots to fly any mission of their choice with the aircraft of their choice at the time of their choice, with a strategic hub network. The carefully selected hubs, Newark (KEWR), Dallas-Fort Worth (KDFW), Vancouver (CYVR), Perth (YPPH) and Brussels (EBBR), should be attractive to a global membership. In addition, Platinum Airways offers its pilots an often cheeky Destination of the Week, Relief, Military and Cargo missions and a soon to be launched Flight Dispatch division. Sticking to the KISS principle (Keep It Straight and Simple), Platinum Airways hosts an active forum and a screenshot of the week competition, with the winner providing the main picture on its home page for the next week. For more information, please visit www.platinumairways.org or mail info [at] platinumairways.org.

Platinum Airways celebrates spring with Flower Power Platinum Airways has revealed the theme of its next Destination of the Week series. As the northern hemisphere is (finally) climbing out of its long and severe winter, we thought that there was no better way to celebrate the rebirth of nature than by having a Flower Power month. Flower Power will take us to some of the world’s leading flower shows and events. Spring has been a distant season in the northern hemisphere so far, and Platinum Airways is giving its pilots a boost by visiting four leading flower shows around the globe. We kick off with the Philadelphia International Flower Show and Philadelphia International Airport, KPHL. From there, we travel to the Netherlands, Keukenhof or Kitchen Garden, the world’s largest flower garden near Lisse, between Amsterdam and The Hague. So it’s only logical that we pay a visit to Schiphol Airport (EHAM). Our third Flower Power destination is the National Cherry Blossom Festival, held in Washington, DC, and we will therefore fly to Ronald Reagan National Airport (KDCA). And we end our series with Harrogate in northern England, which leads us to Leeds Bradford International Airport (EGNM). You might wonder why we’re not visiting one of London’s spectacular flower shows. The reason is simple: DOTW aims at taking our pilots to destinations that you would probably give a miss. DOTW missions qualify for a 5% bonus if completed within the allotted time span. They come with charts, links to scenery files for FS9, FSX and X-Plane if available, and a selection of YouTube videos. About Platinum Airways: Keen to deliver on its mission to keep the fun in the hobby, Platinum Airways is probably the only virtual airline to combine an Open Skies policy, allowing its pilots to fly any mission of their choice with the aircraft of their choice at the time of their choice, with a strategic hub network. The carefully selected hubs, Newark (KEWR), Dallas-Fort Worth (KDFW), Vancouver (CYVR), Perth (YPPH) and Brussels (EBBR), should be attractive to a global membership. In addition, Platinum Airways offers its pilots an often cheeky Destination of the Week, Relief, Military and Cargo missions and a soon to be launched Flight Dispatch division. Sticking to the KISS principle (Keep It Straight and Simple), Platinum Airways hosts an active forum and a screenshot of the week competition, with the winner providing the main picture on its home page for the next week. For more information, please visit www.platinumairways.org or mail info [at] platinumairways.org.

Platinum Airways will be visiting Islands in the Sun in its June Destination of the Week series. Island in the Sun presents a nice mix of easy going and extremely difficult approaches in the Caribbean and Pacific. As the northern hemisphere’s summer holidays are only a month away, Platinum Airways management deemed it fit to prepare its pilots for the big exodus towards the sun. We have selected five destinations with a varying level of difficulty. The series starts with a long flight to Won Pat (PGUM) on Guam Island. The second Island in the Sun is Saint Barthélemy aka St Barts and its Gustaf III Airport (TFFJ), a regular top contender in dangerous approaches competitions. The third Island in the Sun destination is Kahului (PHOG), Hawaii’s second busiest airport. From there, we fly to Melville Hall (TDPD) on Dominica, another difficult approach. The final Island in the Sun will allow our pilots to relax: Bonriki (NGTA) on Kiribati Island in the Pacific. DOTW missions qualify for a 5% bonus if completed within the allotted time span. They come with charts, links to scenery files for FS9, FSX and X-Plane if available, and a selection of YouTube videos. About Platinum Airways: Keen to deliver on its mission to keep the fun in the hobby, Platinum Airways is probably the only virtual airline to combine an Open Skies policy, allowing its pilots to fly any mission of their choice with the aircraft of their choice at the time of their choice, with a strategic hub network. The carefully selected hubs, Newark (KEWR), Dallas-Fort Worth (KDFW), Vancouver (CYVR), Perth (YPPH) and Brussels (EBBR), should be attractive to a global membership. In addition, Platinum Airways offers its pilots an often cheeky Destination of the Week, Relief, Military and Cargo missions and a soon to be launched Flight Dispatch division. Sticking to the KISS principle (Keep It Straight and Simple), Platinum Airways hosts an active forum and a screenshot of the week competition, with the winner providing the main picture on its home page for the next week. For more information, please visit www.platinumairways.org or mail info [at] platinumairways.org.

As Platinum Airways’ Peak Traffic Destination of the Week Series, that visits airports close to the world’s highest mountains, is in its final week, the Open Skies airline announces that it is to be revisited. However, Peak Traffic Revisited will be completely different: the March series airports will take pilots to four airports that are the world’s busiest in their respective category. Whilst the original Peak Traffic series focused on the word peak, Peak Traffic Revisited pays more attention to the word traffic. Platinum Airways’ March DOTW series will stop at four extremely busy airports that claim top spot in four different categories of traffic. The series’ first destination is Van Nuys Airport (KVNY) near Los Angeles, the world’s busiest general aviation traffic movements airport. From there, we will travel to London’s Heathrow Airport (EGLL), the world’s leading airport in terms of international passengers. The third Peak Traffic Revisited airport is Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (KATL), by far the world’s busiest from a general traffic movements perspective. We end the series with the world’s busiest airport during a special event: Wittman Regional Airport aka Oshkosh (KOSH), with its annual airshow, the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh. DOTW missions qualify for a 5% bonus if completed within the allotted time span. They come with charts, links to scenery files for FS9, FSX and X-Plane if available, and a selection of YouTube videos. About Platinum Airways: Keen to deliver on its mission to keep the fun in the hobby, Platinum Airways is probably the only virtual airline to combine an Open Skies policy, allowing its pilots to fly any mission of their choice with the aircraft of their choice at the time of their choice, with a strategic hub network. The carefully selected hubs, Newark (KEWR), Dallas-Fort Worth (KDFW), Vancouver (CYVR), Perth (YPPH) and Brussels (EBBR), should be attractive to a global membership. In addition, Platinum Airways offers its pilots an often cheeky Destination of the Week, Relief, Military and Cargo missions and a soon to be launched Flight Dispatch division. Sticking to the KISS principle (Keep It Straight and Simple), Platinum Airways hosts an active forum and a screenshot of the week competition, with the winner providing the main picture on its home page for the next week. For more information, please visit www.platinumairways.org or mail info [at] platinumairways.org.

Platinum Airways to assist Santa in December Platinum Airways will be assisting Santa on his annual epic journey. Throughout December, the very virtual Open Skies airline will fly presents made by the world’s leading manufacturers to Santa’s home airport and Platinum Airways will also have them delivered to chimneys all over the world for Christmas. Meet Ho ho ho – Platinum Airways’ December Destination of the Week series. Platinum Airways’ December Destination of the Week series was inspired by an email by Santa. Due to supply chain problems, the holy man was unable to stock sufficient presents and he requested Platinum Airways to assist him. First and foremost, Santa looks after the little ones, and Platinum Airways’ solution was to organise flights between the world’s leading toy retailer’s headquarters and EFRO. The leading toy retailer is, of course, Toys “R” Us, headquartered not far from one of Platinum Airways’ hubs, Newark (KEWR). But Santa’s surviving modern times depends to a large degree on the Holy Man looking after mum and dad. For mum, Santa needed to stock up with supplies made by the world’s most valuable brand of luxury products, Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy. This means that the second Ho ho ho mission will take our pilots from Orly Airport (LFPO) to Rovaniemi. The third mission, aimed at dads, was equally straight forward: dads like IPhones, IPads, IPods and other ICatching gadgets. Apple, the world’s leading tech company, being located near San Jose, CA, the third mission will link KSJC and EFRO. The fourth and final Ho ho ho mission is probably the most rewarding one: Platinum pilots will deliver all those presents to kids, mums and dads close to their home town airport or the closest airport that is capable of handling flights from EFRO. DOTW missions qualify for a 5% bonus if completed within the allotted time span. They come with charts, links to scenery files for FS9, FSX and X-Plane if available, and a selection of YouTube videos with approaches and take-offs. About Platinum Airways: Keen to deliver on its mission to keep the fun in the hobby, Platinum Airways is probably the only virtual airline to combine an Open Skies policy, allowing its pilots to fly any mission of their choice with the aircraft of their choice at the time of their choice, with a strategic hub network. The carefully selected hubs, Newark (KEWR), Dallas-Fort Worth (KDFW), Vancouver (CYVR), Perth (YPPH) and Brussels (EBBR), should be attractive to a global membership. In addition, Platinum Airways offers its pilots an often cheeky Destination of the Week, Relief, Military and Cargo missions and a soon to be launched Flight Dispatch division. Sticking to the KISS principle (Keep It Straight and Simple), Platinum Airways hosts an active forum and a screenshot of the week competition, with the winner providing the main picture on its home page for the next week. For more information, please visit www.platinumairways.org or mail info [at] platinumairways.org.

Platinum Airways, the very virtual Open Skies airline, has announced its new Destination of the Week theme: Assembly Hall. The series will visit the four leading jet passenger aircraft manufacturers and will take Platinum Airways’ pilots to the main airfield that is used by Boeing, Airbus, Bombardier and Embraer to test their latest aircraft and future models. And Platinum Airways has also responded to Hurricane Sandy by setting up several Relief flight destinations. Assembly Hall will offer Platinum Airways pilots a look at past and future aircraft built by the leading passenger jet manufacturers. Boeing has two test flight airfields: KBFI and KPAE. Boeing Field is only used for B737 test flights, so we thought that Paine Field was the better choice, with assembly of all 747’s, 767’s, 777’s and 787’s. For Airbus, we’re heading to Toulouse (LFBO), where we will focus on all Airbus models, including the A350. CYMX takes us to Bombardier’s main assembly plant at Mirabel, where the Canadian manufacturer builds the CRJ-series and the C-Series, scheduled for its first delivery by the end of next year. Our final Assembly Hall destination is SBGP or Embraer Unidade Gavião Peixoto Airport, Embraer’s private airfield in Sao Paolo state. Another popular division within Platinum Airways is its Relief flights. Several new destinations have been added in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy that caused a path of destruction from Jamaica over New York State into Canada. Destinations so far include JFK (KJFK), Newark (KEWR), Baltimore (KBWI), Joint Base Andrews (KADW) and Norman Manley (MKJP), with destinations being added as airports reopen. DOTW and Relief missions qualify for a 5% bonus if completed within the allotted time span. They come with charts, links to scenery files for FS9, FSX and X-Plane if available, and, for DOTW only, a selection of videos available on YouTube. About Platinum Airways: Keen to deliver on its mission to keep the fun in the hobby, Platinum Airways is probably the only virtual airline to combine an Open Skies policy, allowing its pilots to fly any mission of their choice with the aircraft of their choice at the time of their choice, with a strategic hub network. The carefully selected hubs, Newark (KEWR), Dallas-Fort Worth (KDFW), Vancouver (CYVR), Perth (YPPH) and Brussels (EBBR), should be attractive to a global membership. In addition, Platinum Airways offers its pilots an often cheeky Destination of the Week, Relief, Military and Cargo missions and a soon to be launched Flight Dispatch division. Sticking to the KISS principle (Keep It Straight and Simple), Platinum Airways hosts an active forum and a screenshot of the week competition, with the winner providing the main picture on its home page for the next week. For more information, please visit www.platinumairways.org or mail info [at] platinumairways.org.

Platinum Airways, the very virtual Open Skies airline, has announced its new Destination of the Week theme: Assembly Hall. The series will visit the four leading jet passenger aircraft manufacturers and will take Platinum Airways’ pilots to the main airfield that is used by Boeing, Airbus, Bombardier and Embraer to test their latest aircraft and future models. And Platinum Airways has also responded to Hurricane Sandy by setting up several Relief flight destinations. Assembly Hall will offer Platinum Airways pilots a look at past and future aircraft built by the leading passenger jet manufacturers. Boeing has two test flight airfields: KBFI and KPAE. Boeing Field is only used for B737 test flights, so we thought that Paine Field was the better choice, with assembly of all 747’s, 767’s, 777’s and 787’s. For Airbus, we’re heading to Toulouse (LFBO), where we will focus on all Airbus models, including the A350. CYMX takes us to Bombardier’s main assembly plant at Mirabel, where the Canadian manufacturer builds the CRJ-series and the C-Series, scheduled for its first delivery by the end of next year. Our final Assembly Hall destination is SBGP or Embraer Unidade Gavião Peixoto Airport, Embraer’s private airfield in Sao Paolo state. Another popular division within Platinum Airways is its Relief flights. Several new destinations have been added in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy that caused a path of destruction from Jamaica over New York State into Canada. Destinations so far include JFK (KJFK), Newark (KEWR), Baltimore (KBWI), Joint Base Andrews (KADW) and Norman Manley (MKJP), with destinations being added as airports reopen. DOTW and Relief missions qualify for a 5% bonus if completed within the allotted time span. They come with charts, links to scenery files for FS9, FSX and X-Plane if available, and, for DOTW only, a selection of videos available on YouTube. About Platinum Airways: Keen to deliver on its mission to keep the fun in the hobby, Platinum Airways is probably the only virtual airline to combine an Open Skies policy, allowing its pilots to fly any mission of their choice with the aircraft of their choice at the time of their choice, with a strategic hub network. The carefully selected hubs, Newark (KEWR), Dallas-Fort Worth (KDFW), Vancouver (CYVR), Perth (YPPH) and Brussels (EBBR), should be attractive to a global membership. In addition, Platinum Airways offers its pilots an often cheeky Destination of the Week, Relief, Military and Cargo missions and a soon to be launched Flight Dispatch division. Sticking to the KISS principle (Keep It Straight and Simple), Platinum Airways hosts an active forum and a screenshot of the week competition, with the winner providing the main picture on its home page for the next week. For more information, please visit www.platinumairways.org or mail info [at] platinumairways.org.

Platinum Airways goes Skating on Thick IcePlatinum Airways, the Open Skies virtual airline, is starting 2016 with a slippery Destination of the Week series. Skating on Thin Ice will visit four large glaciers on as many continents. It has become a tradition at Platinum Airways to dedicate each year’s first destination of the Week series to a wintery theme. 2016 is no exception, as the very virtual Open Skies airline is off to four airports that are close to four significant glaciers. Skating on Thick Ice kicks off with a visit to Antarctica, home of the world’s largest Lambert Glacier, and of the Wilkins Runway (YWKS), an ice runway in the East. From there, we move on to the Hubbard Glacier in Alaska, and its main access airport of Yakutat (PAYA). Our third Skating on Thick Ice DOTW is Skardu Airport (OPSD), the closest airport to the Siachen Glacier in disputed territory between India and Pakistan in the Himalaya – OPSD was selected only on the basis of proximity. We conclude Skating on Thick Ice with a glacier in Patagonia: the Perito Moreno, and its feeder airport, Armando Tola (SAWL). Each DOTW comes with charts to be downloaded and links to scenery files. A selection of YouTube videos usually contains flight deck and ground views with landings and departures. About Platinum Airways: Keen to deliver on its mission to keep the fun in the hobby, Platinum Airways is probably the only virtual airline to combine an Open Skies policy, allowing its pilots to fly any mission of their choice with the aircraft of their choice at the time of their choice, with a strategic hub network. The carefully selected hubs, Newark (KEWR), Dallas-Fort Worth (KDFW), Vancouver (CYVR), Perth (YPPH) and Brussels (EBBR), should be attractive to a global membership. In addition, Platinum Airways offers its pilots an often cheeky Destination of the Week, Military and Cargo. Sticking to the KISS principle (Keep It Straight and Simple), Platinum Airways hosts an active forum and a screenshot of the week competition, with the winner providing the main picture on its home page for the next week. For more information, please visit www.platinumairways.org or mail info [at] platinumairways.org.

Platinum Airways, the Open Skies virtual airline, will pay tribute to the world’s most successful film series, James Bond aka 007. Live And Let Fly, the December 2015 Destination of the Week theme, will visit five airports that are linked with key Bond personalities. Early November saw the release of Spectre, the 24th Bond movie, and what better way to enter the Christmas holiday season than an evening out with the kids for the ultimate toys-for-boys big screen release. Live And Let Fly visits five airports that are linked with as many key James Bond personalities. The series starts with a visit to Edinburgh (EGPH), the birthplace of the first Bond ever, Sean Connery. Our second Bond destination takes us to an airport that is close to one of the three homes of another Bond actor, Roger Moore, who spends a lot of time in Crans-Montana, Switzerland – an ideal opportunity to tackle the great approach into Sion (LSGS). Live And Let Fly number 3 brings us to Dublin (EIDW), the closest airport to Navan, Co Meath, and Pierce Brosnan. The two final Live And Let Fly DOTWs are on the western side of the Atlantic. The Bond theme owes much of its success to its initial producer, Albert R Broccoli, who was born in Queens, NY – hence our visit to LaGuardia (KLGA). And we end our tribute to 007 with the Jamaican airport that was named after his inventor, Bond writer Ian Fleming (MKBS). Each DOTW comes with charts to be downloaded and links to scenery files. A selection of YouTube videos usually contains flight deck and ground views with landings and departures. About Platinum Airways: Keen to deliver on its mission to keep the fun in the hobby, Platinum Airways is probably the only virtual airline to combine an Open Skies policy, allowing its pilots to fly any mission of their choice with the aircraft of their choice at the time of their choice, with a strategic hub network. The carefully selected hubs, Newark (KEWR), Dallas-Fort Worth (KDFW), Vancouver (CYVR), Perth (YPPH) and Brussels (EBBR), should be attractive to a global membership. In addition, Platinum Airways offers its pilots an often cheeky Destination of the Week, Military and Cargo. Sticking to the KISS principle (Keep It Straight and Simple), Platinum Airways hosts an active forum and a screenshot of the week competition, with the winner providing the main picture on its home page for the next week. For more information, please visit www.platinumairways.org or mail info [at] platinumairways.org.

Hi all, The Platinum Airways video has undergone a major update, to incorporate new functionality and services to our pilots. It is available at our home page, on YouTube and Facebook. Enjoy!