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Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Flight Planning Quick Tip: How to find an alternate airport

Tuesday, August 28, 2012 @ 10:45 AM

See just how easy and efficient it is to find an alternate airport for your flight using the Flight Wizard in this iFlightPlanner Quick Tip.

Monday, August 27, 2012

eBook: Learning to Fly an Airplane

Monday, August 27, 2012 @ 8:00 AM

Learning to Fly an Airplane” was first published in February 2012, and consistently ranked as the #1 eBook in its category on Amazon.com.  It received positive reviews from flight instructors and students alike, and just recently was made available to would-be pilots and anyone who wants to know more about the flight training process free of charge.

» eBook: Learning to Fly an Airplane, Ted Seastrom

» Interview: Ted Seastrom with AVweb's Russ Niles

Ted writes, "This is the book I wish I’d read before taking my first flying lesson.  “Learning to Fly an Airplane” is not about how to fly. Instead it walks you through each stage of the training process. It warns you of the pitfalls and encourages you when facing unexpected challenges.  As a recent student, I believe you will improve your chances for success if you know more about flight training going in. You’ll definitely have more fun and less frustration."

If you know of other resources that you think the iFlightPlanner community would appreciate hearing about, please let us know!

The iFlightPlanner Crew
PLAN. FLY. LOG.™

Saturday, August 25, 2012

iFlightPlanner LIVE! on FlightTime Radio, 1pm EDT

Saturday, August 25, 2012 @ 11:00 AM

iFlightPlanner co-founder and Director of Business Development, Andy Matthews, will be joining Charlie & Milford from FlightTime Radio today (Saturday) at 1pm EDT to talk flight planning.  Listen live online or tune in to 600AM WBOB in the Jacksonville, FL area.

» Listen LIVE!

Have a great weekend!

The iFlightPlanner Crew
PLAN. FLY. LOG.™

Friday, August 24, 2012

What Does "Roger" Really Mean?

Friday, August 24, 2012 @ 8:00 AM

The FAA Safety Team posted Notice NOTC3893, "What Does Roger Really Mean?" and reminds us that it only acknowledges that someone heard what was said; it does not give authority to do something.

FAASTeam Notice NOTC3893

For most of us, we learned to use the word "Roger" early in our aviation career. We learned that it simply means that we heard and understand what the other person said.  We were clearly taught that it connotes no permission or authorizations. For whatever reason, we then go through our career or hobby of flying and hardly ever use that word. And we seldom hear it spoken by ATC!

So what happens when we have a problem on the airfield and we tell ATC that we need to do something and they say "Roger?" What does that mean? Here is a recent example.

A C-210 received ATC clearance to taxi via Taxiway Juliette and to cross Runway 1/19. En-route, the C-210 pilot advised ATC that the aircraft just blew a tire. The pilot requested to exit the aircraft to inspect the wheel. The Tower authorized the pilot's request and asked the pilot to advise if he needed help.

At this time, a C-172 reported inbound with a request for full stop landings or touch and go's on Runway 1. The tower cleared the C172 as requested. (Can you see the Runway Incursion scenario developing?)

The C-210 pilot came back on the frequency stating he had a wheel come apart. The Tower asked his intentions, and the C210 pilot said if he moved the aircraft it would do damage and requested to go to an FBO. (Getting to the FBO from the damaged C-210 would require a runway crossing.) The Tower responded "roger." The pilot responded, “Thank you very much.”

The Tower then observed two men on foot walking towards the runway. The tower called the C-210 several times with no response. The Tower, after observing the men crossing the actual runway told the inbound C-172 to go around and enter right traffic for Runway 1, later changing clearance to land on Runway 5.

It appears that with the additional stress caused by the blown tire, when the pilot made his request to go to the FBO, he expected the Tower to give him a "Yes" or a "No", and when the Tower replied with a simple, "Roger," he forgot his early training that "Roger" is not an authorization - and started hiking!

Fortunately, the pilot of the C-172 executed a proper go-around and landed safely on the other runway.

The Aeronautical Information Manual is the authoritative source for proper aviation communications.  Take an opportunity to review communication procedures in the AIM and remember your early training - "Roger" only means that someone heard what was said; it does not give authority to do something.

Remember that crossing any runway, whether in an airplane, a vehicle, or on foot, always requires a specific authorization from ATC.

Have a safe and enjoyable summer of flying!

The iFlightPlanner Crew
PLAN. FLY. LOG™

Thursday, August 23, 2012

FAA Data Update for 8/23 Cycle

Thursday, August 23, 2012 @ 11:59 AM

Official FAA data for the 8/23/12 cycle, including airport diagrams, approach plates, sectional charts and terminal area charts, was updated today at 09:01Z.


As always, whenever you access iFlightPlanner.com or mobile.iFlightPlanner.com you can be confident that you are seeing the most current and accurate data available.  To ensure that iFlightPlanner for iPad is current, 'Check for Updates' in the lower-left corner of the Downloads tab.  The app will tell you which files need to be updated!

The iFlightPlanner Crew
PLAN. FLY. LOG.™

Thursday, August 16, 2012

The Airplane Geeks Podcast

Thursday, August 16, 2012 @ 8:00 AM

Andy Matthews and John Burnside, two of iFlightPlanner's co-founders, recently joined the Airplane Geeks to talk flight planning and the iFlightPlanner suite products, including iFlightPlanner for iPad presented by Sennheiser.

"We had a great time with the Airplane Geeks," said Matthews.  "It's always fun being with individuals who are passionate about what they do, and with these guys, it definitely shows!"

You can listen to Episode #210 by heading to www.AirplaneGeeks.com or subscribing to the Airplane Geeks Podcast on iTunes.  We hope you enjoy!

The iFlightPlanner Crew
PLAN. FLY. LOG.™

Monday, August 13, 2012

The iFlightPlanner Widget

Monday, August 13, 2012 @ 8:00 AM

We are excited to announce the availability of the iFlightPlanner Widget, a simple set of HTML code designed to allow the addition of iFlightPlanner's airport and aviation weather information to any website.

Pilots and aviation enthusiasts who are signed in to their iFlightPlanner Free or Premium account gain 1-click access to a complete Airport/Facility Directory, Weather Center and seamless Aviation Charts through any website that hosts the iFlightPlanner Widget.

Websites already hosting the Widget include AVweb.com, the Cessna Flyer Association, Piper Flyer Association, the Stuck Mic AvCast and ThePilotReport.com.

The iFlightPlanner Widget

•    Color-coded METARs
•    Airport/Facility Directory
•    Weather Center
•    Aviation Charts
•    Airport & Route lookup

Visit https://www.iFlightPlanner.com/W to add the iFlightPlanner Widget to your website.  Administrators are encouraged to contact us for an Affiliate Code that will enable the Widget to return users to their site when using the Widget’s “Sign In” feature.

If you are not yet an iFlightPlanner member head to https://www.iFlightPlanner.com/Join and create your Free or Premium account for access to the iFlightPlanner Widget, as well as our fully-integrated flight planning solution featuring iFlightPlanner for iPad presented by Sennheiser.

The iFlightPlanner Crew
PLAN. FLY. LOG.™

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Republican National Convention TFR

Wednesday, August 8, 2012 @ 8:00 AM

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will be issuing Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) in support of the Republican National Convention taking place in Tampa, FL. The restrictions are designed to provide a safe and secure environment for the event.

On August 26 a TFR will be placed at 2746060N/08239120W (the PIE174008.5) and will consist of a 30NM outer ring and a 10NM inner core, from the surface up to but not including 18,000 FT MSL. The TFR will be in effect from 1400-2300 EDT.

From August 27 to August 30 a TFR will be placed at 2757130N/08228010W (the PIE081011.8) and will consist of a 3NM ring, from the surface up to but not including 5,000 FT MSL.  The TFR will be in effect from 0900-1600 EDT daily.

From August 27 to August 30 a TFR will be placed at 2757130N/08228010W (the PIE081011.8) and will consist of a 30NM outer ring and a 10NM inner core, from the surface up to but not including 18,000 FT MSL.  The TFR will be in effect from 1200-2359 EDT on August 27 and from 1600-2359 thereafter.

Note that operations at Peter O. Knight Airport (KTPF) will be prohibited when either TFR is in effect.

The NOTAM(s) discussed in the advisory may change with little or no notice.  Pilots are strongly advised to check NOTAM(s) frequently for possible changes prior to operating in the area.  For questions about the information contained in this advisory contact the Security Operations Support Center (SOSC) at (202)-267-8276.

Monday, August 6, 2012

Huerta to Pilots: "Safety!"

Monday, August 6, 2012 @ 8:00 AM

FAA Acting Administrator Michael Huerta, during his first trip to AirVenture, made it clear to general aviation pilots that safety is No. 1.

“We want them to know that the thing we care about most of all is safety,” he said.  “We want to know that every time they take the controls of their aircraft that they are safe.  That we’ve done everything that we can to ensure the safety of that particular flight and that particular aircraft and everything that goes with it and they’ve taken the appropriate level of responsibility to ensure that every one of their systems is completely safe.”

He said FAA officials are asking general aviation pilots to take time this summer to reassess their safety. “We all have our routines,” he added.  “We just want them to take some time to sit back and ask the question ‘Am I doing everything I can to maintain the maximum level of safety?’”

The iFlightPlanner Flight Wizard was developed to create an intuitive flight planning environment that promotes a safe routine.  By making your route planning, certified weather briefs, weight & balance calculations, and flight plan filing as seamless as possible we virtually eliminate the possibility that you'll skip a critical step in the flight planning process.

iFlightPlanner is built on user feedback, and we encourage you to contact us if there is anything we can do to improve your iFlightPlanner experience!

The iFlightPlanner Crew
PLAN. FLY. LOG.™

Thursday, August 2, 2012

iFlightPlanner's "Team Aerostar S1" Contest WINNERS!

Thursday, August 2, 2012 @ 8:00 AM

We want to thank all of you who participated in this year's "Team Aerostar S1" contest as part of the festivities at AirVenture 2012!

It was great to see you wearing your iFlightPlanner Gear around Wittman Regional Airport, and a special thank you goes to those who participated in the iFlightPlanner Experience survey.  The insight you provided is already helping us shape the future of iFlightPlanner!

All of our winners, including the two lucky individuals who won the YAK-52TW Experience with The Aerostars and Sennheiser S1 Digital ANR Headset, have been contacted and we are working to coordinate the delivery of everyone's prizes.  Keep an eye out for iFlightPlanner on Facebook for photos of our grand prize winners!

Thanks again for your support of iFlightPlanner, we're already looking forward to AirVenture 2013 and another exciting week!

The iFlightPlanner Crew
PLAN. FLY. LOG.™