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Due to the large number of aircraft that are expected to operate to and from the New Orleans metropolitan area during the week of Super Bowl XLVII, several operational procedures have been established to enhance safety and minimize air traffic delays.

To review this important information, click on the following link:

» Super Bowl XLVII Flight Advisory

There may be changes to this information.  Be sure to revisit www.faa.gov or call the Houston ARTCC at (281) 230-5590 for the most up to date information!

Loss of Control (LOC) is by far the top occurrence category of fatal accidents in general aviation, with the greatest number of those accidents triggered during the maneuvering phase of flight.  As a result, LOC is a special emphasis area for the FAA.

Subject matter expert and 2006 National Flight Instructor of the Year Rich Stowell will discuss in a first-ever FAASTeam Webinar where and when LOC is most likely to occur, the typical chain of events that lead to accidents, and the critical importance of angle of attack awareness in preventing LOC.

Title:  "Maintaining Aircraft Control and How to Avoid Loss of Control"
Date:  Thursday, January 31, 2013
Time:  8:00 PM - 9:00 PM EST(Eastern Time)

The FAASTeam encourages you to register only if you plan on participating as 'seats' are limited.

» REGISTER: https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/430275702

Businesses that rely on aviation not only did better during the Great Recession; they are already doing better in the nascent recovery when compared to their ground-bound competitors, according to one prominent researcher.

NEXA Advisors President Michael Dyment pointed to findings in his recent study of companies using business aviation to challenge an editorial in Forbes magazine editorial calling into question GM’s renewed use of business aviation, now that the company has been released from U.S. Treasury requirements resulting from the government’s investment in the company.

“Our analysis of the key financial metrics found that business aviation users weathered the Great Recession of 2008 far better than non-users."

» National Business Aviation Association

The 2013 Great Lakes Aviation Conference is the most complete aviation conference for pilots and maintenance professionals in the Midwest.  Nearly 100 exhibitors will be on display this weekend along with informational and instructional breakout sessions lead by industry professionals at Eastern Michigan University's Student Center in Ypsilanti, MI.

Show hours are 7:30am to 7:30pm this Friday and Saturday, January 25-26 with registration opening at 7:00am each day.

It was at the 2010 Great Lakes Aviation Conference where iFlightPlanner was first released and we appreciate the platform that was provided to us by Dr. Tartalone and his staff.  We regretfully will not be exhibiting this year as there were significant scheduling conflicts but hope to be back next year!

The iFlightPlanner Crew
PLAN. FLY. LOG.™

The Steamboat Springs/Bob Adams Airport in Colorado says they've successfully tested a new method of snow removal that's safer and more economical than just plowing it out of the way, which it began implementing in December after the city's Parks, Open Space and Recreational Services Department agreed to loan the airport a snowcat.

The process also has eliminated the usual icy bank that pilots might have expected to find after overshooting the runway safety area at a mountain airport.  Pilots landing in Steamboat Springs now find several inches of sand-like material in that area, which airport manager Mel Baker says can safely stop and support an airplane if it leaves the runway.

Read the full article in The Steamboat Today about two pilots who unexpectedly, but thankfully tested a successful idea.

The planned 2013 Presidential Inauguration Festivities in Washington, DC are scheduled for January 21, 2013. At the request of the Department of Homeland Security and as part of the airspace security measures for the event, the FAA will be modifying the Washington Special Flight Rules Area (SFRA) and Washington Metropolitan Flight Restriction Zone (FRZ) with additional flight restrictions between the hours of 10:00 and 18:00 local.

The NOTAM discussed in this advisory may change with little or no notice. Pilots are advised to check NOTAMs frequently for possible changes prior to operations in the area. Pilots are strongly advised to contact a Flight Service Station at 1-800-WX-BRIEF (1-800-992-7433) prior to flight to check for all current NOTAMs.

» 2013 Presidential Inauguration NOTAM

This week's Quick Tip shows you how quick and easy it is to complete the New Member Setup Wizard and ensure that you get the most out of your iFlightPlanner experience!

Once you've completed the New Member Setup Wizard you're ready to plan your first flight or download iFlightPlanner for iPad presented by Sennheiser.  Please don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions along the way!

The iFlightPlanner Crew
PLAN. FLY. LOG.™

A recent article in the Observer and Eccentric highlights a Michigan-based aviation company who has adapted its helicopter business, from the auto industry's most trusted last-minute parts hauler to one of  the music and film industry's most respected aerial film crews.

Nick McMahon, operations director at McMahon Helicopters in Canton Township, Michigan flew for the new Tom Cruise movie Jack Reacher and this year landed work in music videos for two major rap stars. His company has an impressive list of aerial camera-work experience — from live Super Bowl stadium flyovers to aerial shots for television commercials — and that list that has grown rapidly in recent years thanks to the creative reinvention of their company.

» Read The Full Article

The iPad has gained nearly unconditional acceptance among pilots since its debut in the spring of 2010, but some say the iPad is too large for the cockpit.  Enter the iPad Mini.  Apple's new tablet is about 2/3 the size of the iPad but otherwise has the same features and performance specs of the iPad 2.

In this video, AVweb and Aviation Consumer put the iPad Mini through its paces, and other than the ongoing issue with screen glare, might just become your favorite new cockpit accessory for iFlightPlanner for iPad!

The January/February 2013 issue of FAA Safety Briefing is now available and focuses on aerospace medicine.  Articles cover key issues that affect medical certification for pilots, the pilot's role in this process as well as the FAA's responsibilities.

Among the feature articles in this medically-themed issue include understanding what your medical can (and can’t) do for you, how to fast track your medical certificate with FAA’s online MedXPress system, what pilots should know about refractive eye surgery and how the FAA evaluates drugs for aeromedical use.

» FAA Safety Briefing, January/February 2013

The iFlightPlanner Crew
PLAN. FLY. LOG.™

The Aviators Model Code of Conduct for Kids, an abridged and simplified explanation of the Aviators Model Code of Conduct (AMCC), was released January 2, 2013, by the project’s Permanent Editorial Board. Written for use in the classroom with language appropriate for young aviators, the document exposes young students to important values shared by safe and successful aviators.

» Aviators Model Code of Conduct for Kids

The AMCC will introduce students to what it takes to be a good pilot, to fly safely, and be a good passenger if they take a ride in a small plane. Learning the basic rules of flying will help them succeed in many areas of their lives—as students now, and as adults in the future.

Developed by a team of aviation professionals and drawing upon decades of research and experience, the AMCC promotes ongoing improvements in flying quality and safety. The AMCC:

• Promotes flight and ground safety, professionalism, and pilot contributions to the aviation community and society at large;
• Encourages the development and adoption of good judgment, ethical behavior, and personal responsibility; and
• Supports improved communications between pilots, regulators, and others in the aviation industry.

To learn more about the Aviators Model Code of Conduct for Kids, or the Aviators Model Code of Conduct (for adults), visit http://www.secureav.com/.

The iFlightPlanner Crew
PLAN. FLY. LOG.™

The iFlightPlanner Crew received word from Bad Elf that the Bad Elf GPS Pro, one of the first "iFlightPlanner Approved" external GPS devices, is officially compatible (over Bluetooth) with all of the new Lightning-based iOS devices.  No firmware or hardware changes are necessary.

The new official list of supported devices is:

• iPod touch (2nd, 3rd, 4th, & 5th generations)
• iPhone 5, iPhone 4S, iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, & iPhone 3G
• iPad mini, iPad 4, iPad (3rd generation), iPad 2, iPad

Bad Elf GPS (BE-GPS-1000)

Although the Bad Elf GPS dongle with the 30-pin dock connector is not directly or officially compatible with any of the new Lightning-based iOS devices, Bad Elf is happy to report that it works with all of them using either of Apple’s Lightning-to-30pin adapters.

Bad Elf has done extensive testing and the only issues they encountered (and resolved) were actually related to the known iOS 6 bug affecting external GPS receivers.

The iFlightPlanner Crew
PLAN. FLY. LOG™

The January 2013 digital issue of Avionics News Magazine is now available!

In this month's issue, you'll find:

• The View from Washington
• Renewal & Revival in Albuquerque: Bendix/King
• Member Profile: Canadore College School of Aviation
• Member Profile: ARC Avionics Corporation
• Avionics News Celebrates 50 Years
• Ten New Year's Resolutions for your Business
• Using Inspiration to Motivate Today's Students
• Legal Ease: International Maintenance Manual Rules

For more information on the Aircraft Electronics Association visit http://www.aea.net/.

The iFlightPlanner Crew
PLAN. FLY. LOG.™