Meeting Notes from VATSIM Executive Committee
April 15, 2003 - 2200 UTC
Attending
Kyprianos Biris, VATEUR1 - Europe Region Director - Executive Committee
chairman
Daniel Boulay, VATNA1 - North America Region Director
Terry Scanlan, VATPAC1 - Oceania Region Director
Bill Reynolds, VATASI1 - Asia Region Director
Tom Schroeder, VATSIM11 - VP Operations (joined 22:50)
Roland Collins, VATSIM23 - VP Regions - Afr. Me. Region afairs
representative
Executive Committe (EC) Meeting started at 22:30 UTC
AGENDA ITEM - ASRC Implementation issues
Regional Directors (RDs) expressed their opinions about potential problems
they have observed in their Region regarding the implementation and operation of
ASRC by members. VATNA1 reported problems on the
software that are already identified in the ASRC forum. VATPAC1 reported some
complaints from users regarding software crashes on intercom call by others.
VATASI1 identified the issue of user privacy regarding the ASRC override
function and the fact that some ASRC users abuse its use by overriding active
ATCOs and simply listening to the action. VATEUR1 reported the problems many
users face with voice operations when they have missconfigured firewalls, local
networks and RogerWilco settings. The lack of proper documentation and education
to the average user on this very issue was also identified as a potential
problem. VATSIM23 reported the problems with new users logged in as OBServers
who do not know how to use ASRC yet and when SUPervisors contact them, they are
unable (technically) to respond due to lack of software knowledge.
ACTION ITEM: All participants eventually agreed that in matters related to software improvements and recommendations to the developers, there is little they can do. What was decided was to try and establish a line of communication between VP Development and ASRC Developers to at least ask for proper extra training material to be included in the main download file in future versions of ASRC. This will increase the download file size but it is a strong belief, of the EC as a whole, that such a measure will help new users to find what they need easily at their disposal rather than expect them to go back and search the Internet for extra help material. EC Chairman will inform other RDs with proposed message and proceed with the action when approved.
AGENDA ITEM - VATGOV6 Applications selection procedure
Participants discussed about the proper way to decide upon which VATGOV6
vacancy (application expiry date April 15, 2003) applications to forward to
Board of Governors (BoG) for further processing (by BoG).
ACTION ITEM: They all agreed that the best way is for the RDs to
use common sense and filter out applications clearly inappropriate for a VATGOV
position and then send to BoG the ones that seem to have the potential. It was
agreed that selected applications will be sent to the EC discussion list and
from there onwards VATSIM23 who will forward them to the BoG in accordance with
the agreed protocol of communication between EC and BoG.
AGENDA ITEM - Communication with the BoG
VATSIM23 briefed the participating RDs on operations in progress regarding
VATSIM Regions and more specifically vacant positions of Region Directors and
respective Divisions. It was reported that there is a lot of work in progress
regarding Africa & Middle East Region. At present the only clearly upcoming new
Division is the one of "VATSIM Israel" which is heavily organized and proceeding
with all the necessary moves for an official recognition as a VATSIM Africa &
Middle East Region's Division. Reference was also made to other potential
Divisions in the Middle East area and the lack of proper motivated local staff
was identified along with the extra caution taken due to political problems in
the area. Potential "Africa Division" was also mentioned but again he lack of
proper motivated local staff was identified. VATNA1 and VATSIM23 later reported
about the proceedings regarding VATNA Region Director vacancy with Region NOTAM
being sent out and applications evaluated. Note : Current VATNA1 is VATNA2
acting as Region Director due to the vacancy which should soon be manned.
AGENDA ITEM - Political issues around the World
Participants discussed the problems or real World (r.w.) political problems
and the need of VATSIM to avoid any kind of their simulation. It was identified
that when VATSIM does not officially restrict certain provocative activities,
then this is potentially identified as "VATSIM Supporting the activity". Again
on the other hand it was identified that if many restrictions related to r.w.
politics start being published there is a danger of VATSIM being acused of
doing politics and this can develop into a serious problem especially if
SUPervisors may try to impose them with disciplinary action.
Reference was made by VATEUR1 of some recent problems still pending solution over a disputed area in Northern Part of Cyprus and the related r.w. politics in the area. In r.w. there is aviation activity in the area daily not recognized by United Nations or ICAO. If VATSIM were to approve activity in the area we could be acused from one of the involved parties as making politics. If on the other hand VATSIM were to forbid it, again we could be accused of making politics since we would restrict flight simulation of daily r.w. operations in the area.
VATSIM23 pointed out that the main objective of VATSIM network
is to login and enjoy "air traffic simulation" and get rid of all the r.w.
political issues as soon as we as users connect on to the network. It is this
that RDs should keep in mind when approving or disapproving policies. He also
reminded that VATSIM provides the infastructure but, the Regions'
airspace belongs to the VATSIM Region and not VATSIM Network
in general. The regulations that locally (beyond CoR and CoC) govern it,
are the ones approved by the sole responsibility of the respective Regional
Director.
ADJOURNMENT - The meeting adjourned at 23:54 UTC on April 15th 2003