[SAP]DPhelps steps down as Commander!
by Logan, published: 10/01/2014
Yes, believe it or not, we are still here! Earlier, an announcement was posted to the forum, which can be read here, by [SAP]DPhelps, announcing his resignation as the Commander of the SAP clan, due to lack of available time to dedicate to the clan. [SAP]DPhelps has handed the torch to long-time member [SAP]Torran to lead the way forward.
There has been talk of "dramatic changes" coming to the clan. What could this possibly mean? Obviously, the hype and excitement surrounding the Flights 3.0 gamemode did not live up to what everyone was hoping, with the server activity rapidly diminishing back to virtually non-existent in a few short weeks after release. This has not been helped by the server's recent and ongoing downtime either. Could this spell the end of the clan as we know it, or mark a new beginning? Stay tuned for more information as it is announced.
Yes, believe it or not, we are still here! Earlier, an announcement was posted to the forum, which can be read here, by [SAP]DPhelps, announcing his resignation as the Commander of the SAP clan, due to lack of available time to dedicate to the clan. [SAP]DPhelps has handed the torch to long-time member [SAP]Torran to lead the way forward.
There has been talk of "dramatic changes" coming to the clan. What could this possibly mean? Obviously, the hype and excitement surrounding the Flights 3.0 gamemode did not live up to what everyone was hoping, with the server activity rapidly diminishing back to virtually non-existent in a few short weeks after release. This has not been helped by the server's recent and ongoing downtime either. Could this spell the end of the clan as we know it, or mark a new beginning? Stay tuned for more information as it is announced.
airBanana beats the competition to become the first 3.0 airline
by Walther, published: 27/10/2013
SAN FIERRO - The record-setting favourite airBanana keeps up the pace, as the venerable AB-TOP took to the skies again, to carry the first passenger load since the introduction of Flights 3.0. Despite the bugs encountered during the flight, the experienced crew of [SAP]John, [SAP]Torran, Jordy, and Sgt.Mays have managed to safely carry more than half a dozen passengers to Memorial City for another round of go-karting.
The flight experience carried a strong sense of familiarity, with all the procedures being in place - the passport checks, the usually affordable $50 tickets, the long boarding lines, and the usual banter in the cabin, while [SAP]John served meals. While it was a certainly traditional course of events one could expect from an airline flight at SAP, the pressure to provide good value for money (and, more importantly, time) may pressure other airline owners to cut down on the nice little features to make flying as straightforward as possible, hence "A different experience" may indeed remain a valid slogan for airBanana, as long as the standards are maintained.
Regarding competition - there are currently two other airlines, Alpha & Aquila who, like airBanana, have received the privilege of retaining their fleet during the transition to Flights 3.0. While the yellow giant started to prove it deserves such treatment, we hope that the others will announce their own flights, as soon as the bugs are ironed out. After all, it is going to take a long time before any players will be able to come up with funds to afford a brand new airline.
SAN FIERRO - The record-setting favourite airBanana keeps up the pace, as the venerable AB-TOP took to the skies again, to carry the first passenger load since the introduction of Flights 3.0. Despite the bugs encountered during the flight, the experienced crew of [SAP]John, [SAP]Torran, Jordy, and Sgt.Mays have managed to safely carry more than half a dozen passengers to Memorial City for another round of go-karting.
The flight experience carried a strong sense of familiarity, with all the procedures being in place - the passport checks, the usually affordable $50 tickets, the long boarding lines, and the usual banter in the cabin, while [SAP]John served meals. While it was a certainly traditional course of events one could expect from an airline flight at SAP, the pressure to provide good value for money (and, more importantly, time) may pressure other airline owners to cut down on the nice little features to make flying as straightforward as possible, hence "A different experience" may indeed remain a valid slogan for airBanana, as long as the standards are maintained.
Regarding competition - there are currently two other airlines, Alpha & Aquila who, like airBanana, have received the privilege of retaining their fleet during the transition to Flights 3.0. While the yellow giant started to prove it deserves such treatment, we hope that the others will announce their own flights, as soon as the bugs are ironed out. After all, it is going to take a long time before any players will be able to come up with funds to afford a brand new airline.
Flights 3.0 is a go!
by Logan, published: 21/10/2013
On Saturday, after the event held by San Andreas Pilots Racing Club, SAP Commander [SAP]DPhelps stated that there would be an "epic after party" that "could not be missed". Rumours spread quickly as to what this could possibly be. Of course it was none other than the public release of the extremely highly anticipated update to the Flights gamemode, Flights 3.0.
Since the update, the server has yet to appear inactive. It seems that it has brought a well-needed breath of fresh air to the clan, saving it from extinction. Many of the expected features have been implemented, along with some new, rather surprising ones, and some new islands to visit. One or two features initially announced for the update have not been included. Of course, new features are still being implemented, and the bugs are being ironed out. We hope you enjoy this spectacular update.
Most significant new features:
A full announcement and changelog can be found here.
On Saturday, after the event held by San Andreas Pilots Racing Club, SAP Commander [SAP]DPhelps stated that there would be an "epic after party" that "could not be missed". Rumours spread quickly as to what this could possibly be. Of course it was none other than the public release of the extremely highly anticipated update to the Flights gamemode, Flights 3.0.
Since the update, the server has yet to appear inactive. It seems that it has brought a well-needed breath of fresh air to the clan, saving it from extinction. Many of the expected features have been implemented, along with some new, rather surprising ones, and some new islands to visit. One or two features initially announced for the update have not been included. Of course, new features are still being implemented, and the bugs are being ironed out. We hope you enjoy this spectacular update.
Most significant new features:
- Players now able to buy houses and vehicles
- Over 600 new missions
- 2 new islands
- New mainland airfield
- Completely overhauled panel (based on Garmin G1000)
- Airline/organisation system overhauled
- Achievement system
- Vehicle tuning
A full announcement and changelog can be found here.
Skydiving event a big success!
by Logan, published: 15/10/2013
Mission accomplished for the San Andreas Stunters, as their skydiving event drew a crowd of 20+ players to the server. The event, with a custom gamemode, mapped by [SAP]John, and scripted by [SAP]Torran, involved 2 players competing to achieve the fastest time to complete a skydiving obstacle tunnel, while flying through checkpoints along the way.
In third place came [SAP]John, with a time of 01:33:81, followed by [SAP]Torran in close second, with a time of 01:33:48. and the winner of the event was [SAP]DPhelps, who managed to achieve the winning time of 01:31:74.
After the winners were announced, due to popular demand, vehicles were spawned for all players, including Monster trucks, Vortexes, and Tugs, for players to fall down the tunnel in. The server was then restarted, with the Flights gamemode loaded back in, with an island hopping Dodo/Beagle formation organised by [SAP]John to end the day.
We hope that this event will lead to even more activity and encourage other organisations to come out of hibernation to host their own events in the near future. Once again, things are finally looking up for the San Andreas Pilots clan with the impending release of Flights 3.0.
A forum thread with pictures of the event can be found here.
Mission accomplished for the San Andreas Stunters, as their skydiving event drew a crowd of 20+ players to the server. The event, with a custom gamemode, mapped by [SAP]John, and scripted by [SAP]Torran, involved 2 players competing to achieve the fastest time to complete a skydiving obstacle tunnel, while flying through checkpoints along the way.
In third place came [SAP]John, with a time of 01:33:81, followed by [SAP]Torran in close second, with a time of 01:33:48. and the winner of the event was [SAP]DPhelps, who managed to achieve the winning time of 01:31:74.
After the winners were announced, due to popular demand, vehicles were spawned for all players, including Monster trucks, Vortexes, and Tugs, for players to fall down the tunnel in. The server was then restarted, with the Flights gamemode loaded back in, with an island hopping Dodo/Beagle formation organised by [SAP]John to end the day.
We hope that this event will lead to even more activity and encourage other organisations to come out of hibernation to host their own events in the near future. Once again, things are finally looking up for the San Andreas Pilots clan with the impending release of Flights 3.0.
A forum thread with pictures of the event can be found here.