An Address to the Pilots

[Minuteman]

~S~ Gentlemen,
It was brought to my attention that the reputation of the AAC was called into question over the weekend on the Sim-Outhouse in a thread started by our former Commanding Officer,Col. Humblesprout, Retired. It was in regards to the former C.O. Col. Hogan and his "mistreatment" on said forum. After discussing it with my X.O., it was thought that a brief history should be presented to our members as most of you were non-existent at the time.
The AAC was created by Col.Hogan as was the Allied Supply Depot. Approximately 2 years ago, Col. Hogan announced that he was quitting the AAC and closing its website effective immediately. Those of us remaining were left to fend for ourselves. The AAC that you now belong to is the proverbial "Phoenix" that arose from the ashes...the result of countless hours of dedication, creativity, and hard work of many of our members. The end results of this were expansions to the game of CFS including refuel zones, the AAC Armada, and our home base at AAC Ripe.
Col. Hogan was accused of piracy on his Supply Depot site as he offered free downloads of CFS. Despite numerous warnings, he refused to take this down from his site. As a result, he was banned from Sim Outhouse as a member. He then proceeded to offer some of the downloads created by our members without their authorization. He even went so far as to alter the Initial files and Read Me files so as to insult those who had created the works. Col. Humblesprout has taken issue with Hogan's treatment and has brought the name of the AAC into question. He claims that Col. Hogan is due all of the credit for the existence of the AAC. I maintain that none of it is his due in that he destroyed that which he had created. Humbles claims that each of us flies under Hogan's wing each time that we take to the air. I maintain that our reputation is our own...built free of the former AAC Squadron....built from our own efforts and sweat.
While I do not wish to take up the fight on Sim Outhouse, I can not stand by and see the story told in half truths. Events from over two years ago have no bearing on our present situation. I cannot fathom Humbles motives for dredging this up after all of this time.Should the argument spill over onto the AAC Forum, quick and decisive action will be taken. The AAC has no direct affiliation with the Outhouse, although we use it as a reference and advertising site for our games. This is the history from my perspective. I do not wish to give this issue further life, but I felt that each of you deserved an explanation as members.
Lastly, although I am unable to join you in the air at this time, know that I am vigilent of the Squadron and of those who would wish to harm it. I will defend you fine Gentlemen to the last....
~S~ and Blue Skies

[smilo]

~S~All,
If I may, I would like to add a few things.
first, what I think Minuteman meant to say was that,
"a brief history should be presented to our members as most of you were non-existent as 'AAC Pilots' at the time." sorry Sir, it just sounded weird.
Actually, there is a direct affiliation with the Sim-Outhouse and the AAC;
I am a long time Member and am also a Staff Member Moderator of the CFS Forum at SOH.
When the incident happened in which **** was banned, I was being evaluated as a SOH Moderator. The Staff told me that Yes I was going to become a Moderator. Then, the next day, I got a PM stating that I was promoting a Pirate Site on the SOH Forum that I was to Moderate. Consequently, I would not be considered as a Moderator and that I was in jeopardy of being banned.
Frankly, I was flabbergasted, I couldn't believe it and PMed back. I was given a link to a post I had made touting the Site, which in fact I had been helping to restore after a serious hack job. What I did not realize at the time was that the Sites owner was offering CFS as a Free Download, which is illegal.
Needless to say, I had to make a decision as to what I believed was right and what was wrong and whether I wanted to really be a Moderator or not. I believe I chose correctly.
As a SOH Staff Member and an AAC Staff Member, I have walked a fine line over the past few years. It is no easy task keeping the peace there and stepping away and playing with my friends. Sometimes there is over lap, but, all in all it has been good.
Except for an incident last Christmas time with an AAC Member becoming belligerent with a SOH Member. Being as it was Christmas, the Staff there decided to cut some slack and let bygones be bygones if they publicly apologized. One did, the AAC Member did not and was not allowed to post anymore at the SOH.
Shortly there after, he brought his attitude to this forum and attacked a Member here. Our former Commander decided to take up his cause and the scene here was very ugly for far to long. It was finally resolved by the banning of the belligerent. Something that has never happened here before.
After a lengthy discussion, the AAC Staff decided to cut the former Commander slack because he was the former Commander and had been of service in the past.
Over the past year, that person has taken to posting little digs and jabs at me and the AAC over at the SOH Forum. He has been warned several times, but has wiggled off the hook.
Last Friday, he started up again in earnest, by posting the name and web site name of the person banned for piracy. This was a clear violation of SOH Policy and I edited out the names and replaced them with ****. He later came back copied the post except that he put in the person's real name along with a smart quip directed at me. Following several PMs, one containing a threat to the SOH, the SOH Admins banned him from the SOH. I have to say here that I do not have the authority to ban SOH Members, but in private discussions with the Admins, I recommended that they ban him. I also have to say that I am glad that I did and if I had the authority, I would have done the job and not passed it off.
Now, said person is sending out emails to mutual friends that begin with the line "don't worry smilo"
I got one too and one was posted here, which I removed to the Archives. If any are interested, please let me know and I will get you a copy.
My apologies for going on about this, but the whole thing is a very unfortunate set of circumstances.
I really don't understand what happened to turn the man, but by his actions, all I can say is that he is bent beyond recognition.

[AAC Lt Limy]

~S~ All,
I don't really understand what happened before I joined the AAC. Explanations at a later date are seldom adequate and often even unhelpful, though I quite understand why justification of previous actions is felt to be necessary. No one likes 'sniping'.
The main factor to consider is that presently, we have a great group of guys, a great game, staff that are hardworking, friendly and helpful and treat all with respect. On this basis I'm reluctant to believe that any officers would act unjustifiably or with malice.
My own instinct, is ' visibly' to support the present staff for the efforts they make on our behalf and to ignore any attempts to deprecate their reputation or goodwill.
AAC Lt. Limy

[Minuteman]

~S~ Sir...Your points are well taken and your confidence more appreciated than you can know! ;D

[bluezulu]

~s~ all
i have just heard about all this crap,i may not be a very good pilot,or top of the list when it comes to understanding the ins and outs of computors,but i think i have been arround long enough to know when i am amongst decent,friendly honest people only trying to share a common intrest,as m&m said,i dont know what this is about,nor do i care,as it was before my time on AAC,i agree with limy 100%,and can only appologise on behalf of the brits.can you emagine the young pilots bikkering like this as they are scrambling to go on a sortie.from the time i have been a member on the AAC i have had a great time,and the hard working team have always as far as i can see kept to the rules to keep everything authentic in memory of the brave pilots on all sides.
so humbles if you dont want to fly with us,find another hobby!

[Minuteman]

~S~ BZ....No apologies necessary here....we are all the same here at the AAC....OK...maybe except for the "tea" thing...but that's all....LOL! I thank you for your support as well Sir!

[Ridgerunner]

Tea, coffee, close enough!

If there were some gruesome past, I don't see it reflected in the AAC of today, or the fine folks who fill it's ranks.

I'm proud to fly the colors

~S~ AAC_Ridgerunner

[smilo]

~S~Gentlemen,
I need to make some comments regarding Bluezulu's post.
first, "...i may not be a very good pilot..."
don't believe it guys!
the man is a killer! and he gets better every mission.
consider this, last week, he shot down 1100.
second, "...and can only appologise on behalf of the brits."
Sir, I understand what you are trying to say, but this has nothing to do with Brits, Canadians, Americans or Swedes. It is not about Nationalities, Races or Religions.
It is about personalities and personality conflict, nothing more, nothing less.

[HumbleS]

I feel I must reply. As some of the above facts are misleading .
I was a member of the Original AAC
I was also a person who enjoyed flying missions with fellow like minded pilots..
I always liked the games to be fair, for all
However. I did witness a shift of goodwill within the ranks towards certain members .
I believe what happened to certain people within the AAC was wrong.
The true code of conduct of flight simulator clans of many years ago, would not allow this to happen .
Another words If this took place say eight years before, the AAC would have been shunned by most within the flight simulator community.
However, what happened. Was really a great loss to the AAC.
I do not know if banned material is still being offered within the SOH.
I say this as at one time a lot of downloads were being offered on that site by a person who they have banned .
I can talk to people , however I do get upset when I see faith and goodwill not being used towards others who are playing flight simulator.
Today I have read the latest post about the cfo fuel gauge.
My thoughts are it should never be allowed in the game when in combat . However there are ways to beat it , if it is being used as a cheat.In fact I spent a weekend working out how to defeat this tool.
Another post is about vista and CFS.
As you might know .
I have posted the how to ,on the Microsoft site.with a mention to the AAC
You might also know about the latest windows 7..
That is what I have been working on over the last few months.
What with the demise of the latest .FSX.
And the rebuilding of the next flight simulator.
I wonder what will happen next.
I often said.
If I do not know the answer then I might know a person who does............
Many of the new nics here today. Might not know what happened in the past.
And to be quite honest it might be best not to ask .
However . what I have read above .I say is not really a true account of what really happened. Not all the facts have been explained , only a few .
I think this post should be included here, Just even things up on both sides .