Let me take a moment to discuss the **new** Virtual Thunderbirds. While we've been around for some time now, I'd like to point out to all that have been trying out and still would like to tryout in explaining what we're all about. Some of this may sound over the top and in many ways arrogant, but it will paint the picture you'll need for a successful tryout with us. The mindset you'll need regarding what you're actually getting yourself into.
The following links are straight from our website. It describes who we are and the basic summary of what we look for in recruits; however, the mindset that any newcomer will need is that this is so much more than just a group that goes up and try to emulate the Thunderbirds. Anyone can learn to fly and fly well and even look like these aerobatic teams in doing so, but few have what it takes to do this the way we already do it and aim to do this even better in the future, which is the complete Thunderbird experience, start to finish!
About Us
Openings
We are a group of true perfectionists that spend an astonishing amount of time picking apart everything in what we do on this squad! From the way you tie your shoes, to the way you climb into your jet (figuratively speaking). While this also puts a lot of pressure on us to deliver, that's what we thrive on. We aim to live up to the hype and exceed expectations, most of which are our own (and much higher than what others may consider top notch). I won't lie and say we're near where we strive to be at this point, but that's a very relative term. We've come a long way and soon it will be more evident to our audiences as well! All the blood, sweat and tears shed will soon pay off, but equally important is that the nature of what we do requires everyone to work just as hard, if not harder once you reach the "next level"! We literally spend anywhere between 2-10 hours per day, per person (!) in a Virtual Thunderbird related environment, whether it is gathering info, participating in online discussions/decisions, behind the scenes work and of course practicing in the air. When we fly, we just don't fly! We really fly the show exactly like the real Thunderbirds (including timing, turnarounds and comms)!
It can be the highlight of your flight simming experiences, but certainly at the same time the hardest you've ever worked at something in your life (no joke)!
It takes an enormous commitment and dedication to learn the skill, but even more so become procedurally sound and in essence, know the precise parameters, show sequences, maneuvers, spacing, sight picture and standard communications protocol down cold. We have rough nights, when we'll grill each other over what would seem to most outsiders as a nominal error, but we are really that serious about it! We are not your average formation flying squad and I mean that without trying to shine any negative light on any other squads. We certainly applaud all others doing what we do and we enjoy watching them, but for those that would like to one day be part of this organization, you'll need this background info before trying out! It's kind of like, reading up on who you're interviewing for before hand when attending a job interview. Learn as much as you can about the employer before showing up for the interview!
We have a long way to go internally on the team to where we want to be (and just as in real life, it will never be perfect), but so far we're raising our own standards every day through hard work and dedication. When we bring in new pilots, the very minimum foundation to start from scratch (to become a Virtual Thunderbird) is that you are a "Sierra Hotel" formation flyer with a good foundation of stick and rudder skills as well as the type of personality that fits our team. You'll need to be humble and accept critique, even if you consider yourself among the best out there. That's the nature of what the Virtual Thunderbrids are all about and we work together, not in competition on this team through brutal honesty at times. The all round ability to show us this open mindedness and initiative, progression and drive to improve counts in volumes. It requires on your part to understand that we are not like most other flying squads though! We are the Virtual Thunderbirds. As silly as that may sound, it's not very far from the truth!
Things move slowly and for a reason when it comes to bringing new pilots onboard. We do not pick up anyone overnight and even for the most seasoned pilots, it may take a long time before you get absorbed by the team.
My point here is not trying to say that we are the best pilots or the most solid online formation fliers. We are fully aware that there may be superior pilots elsewhere in the community or in other squads, but I can honestly say that we are hands-down the most dedicated squad seeking perfection in every area imaginable and it takes a very special kind of person to do that, even when it sometimes does not directly involve the flying before your eyes!
I hope this also explains somewhat why things like our movie releases, live shows and more are continuosly TBA. We are extremely selective in the recruiting. I guess there's no way to tell anyone with just words, but when we eventually go "live" there's no doubt that you'll understand...
Recruiting Philosophy
Recruiting Philosophy
Last edited by Lawndart on Fri May 02, 2008 2:16 am, edited 5 times in total.
You think I'm going to read all that?
Ok I read it now , yes this is an edit...
Obviously you take this serious... you can see that by just watching the screenshots or even the videos. I tried formation flying some back ago with a couple of friends and I know how it feels. I mean the pressure on ur hands, one simple wrong move and ruin it... Especially on the Cougar, your hands start sweatin', that isn't very good becouse the Cougar is made of metal. Then u get nervous... and the Cougar requires A LOT of calibrating. I saw your flying before on the videos, and from what I see your movements are a lot of "smooth". You don't start going left and right... maybe because you're the lead or just becouse you're skilled as hell... but one thing straight, you know your joystick better than anyone.
Ok I read it now , yes this is an edit...
Obviously you take this serious... you can see that by just watching the screenshots or even the videos. I tried formation flying some back ago with a couple of friends and I know how it feels. I mean the pressure on ur hands, one simple wrong move and ruin it... Especially on the Cougar, your hands start sweatin', that isn't very good becouse the Cougar is made of metal. Then u get nervous... and the Cougar requires A LOT of calibrating. I saw your flying before on the videos, and from what I see your movements are a lot of "smooth". You don't start going left and right... maybe because you're the lead or just becouse you're skilled as hell... but one thing straight, you know your joystick better than anyone.
SilverOne,
I wasn't speaking solely of the motor skills involved, that's already understood by most that tryout with us. I was referring to everything else that goes into what we do. The flying itself is the easy part!
It's not just about maintaining your equipment or practicing to be smooth, but a lot has to do with work ethic and attitude! Dedication and commitment, knowledge and professionalism. That's what we're about and I just wanted to clarify that for future recruits before they show up with thinking all it takes is a good pilot. There's so much more...
Just as a side note, I haven't re-calibrated my stick in months. I have it re-load the raw data everytime for each axis (manual calibration) and it stays the same at all times. This can be done in CCP.
I'm currently not leading, but thanks for the props! I'll take the opportunity to praise Bon Jobie on that one. He's the smoothest pilot I know and I'm usually a hard critic... Thanks for making every turn a breeze Bon, you're the maaaaaan!
I wasn't speaking solely of the motor skills involved, that's already understood by most that tryout with us. I was referring to everything else that goes into what we do. The flying itself is the easy part!
It's not just about maintaining your equipment or practicing to be smooth, but a lot has to do with work ethic and attitude! Dedication and commitment, knowledge and professionalism. That's what we're about and I just wanted to clarify that for future recruits before they show up with thinking all it takes is a good pilot. There's so much more...
Just as a side note, I haven't re-calibrated my stick in months. I have it re-load the raw data everytime for each axis (manual calibration) and it stays the same at all times. This can be done in CCP.
I'm currently not leading, but thanks for the props! I'll take the opportunity to praise Bon Jobie on that one. He's the smoothest pilot I know and I'm usually a hard critic... Thanks for making every turn a breeze Bon, you're the maaaaaan!
Last edited by Lawndart on Tue Jan 06, 2009 4:24 pm, edited 3 times in total.
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Rock
- Virtual Thunderbird Alumnus
- Posts: 619
- Joined: Wed Sep 07, 2005 1:32 pm
- Location: Vancouver, BC
Well said Funky. As one of the newest members of the Virtual Thunderbirds I believe every word that Lawndart has written in this thread. Even before the tryout process, I decided to be like a sponge and soak up every piece of infomation available about the USAF Thunderbirds and Virtual Thunderbirds. This approach has worked well and has helped me with my flying, situational awareness and overall understanding of the workings of the Real World Team and our Virtual Team.Funky wrote:I think anybody who's thinking about becoming a VTB should make a hard copy of what he said, frame it and hang it over their Bed/ Monitor/ dinner table /bathroom (maybenot)/ office desk/ etc.
It really comes down to attitude and as with anything in life a positive attitude goes a long way. Willing to learn, the ability to work with others, taking initiative and asking as many questions as possible are all good indicators that you're on the right track.
