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Monday, September 30, 2013

FAA Furloughs, Tower Closures, ATC Privatization Back On The Table

Monday, September 30, 2013 @ 8:00 AM

by Mary Grady, AVweb

With a new federal fiscal year about to launch on October 1, FAA officials are facing a $700 million budget gap, according to Bloomberg News.  A new round of automatic cuts will take effect in the new budget year and may have more impact than they did this year, sources told Bloomberg, citing briefings with FAA officials.  The FAA also may revisit its proposal to close many contract towers, which was shelved last year, Bloomberg said.  Bell Helicopter also blamed the federal budget cuts this week in announcing it cut 290 jobs in Fort Worth, Texas.  "Sequestration is having an adverse impact on our industry, making the future for defense spending more uncertain than ever," Bell CEO Jim Garrison said on Monday.  The recurring budget issues also have revived discussion about privatizing the air-traffic-control system.

» More on AVweb

Monday, September 23, 2013

Skyport to Host First Regional Pilot Proficiency Project

Monday, September 23, 2013 @ 8:00 AM

In partnership with Redbird Flight Simulations, the Society of Aviation and Flight Educators (SAFE) will present its first regional Pilot Proficiency Project™ at Skyport in San Marcos, TX on October 26-27, 2013. The Project brings valuable proficiency training to pilots by combining relevant safety forums, challenging simulator training sessions, food, and camaraderie.

Forums at Skyport will be presented by some of the country's top aviation educators, including Master Instructors, National CFIs of the Year, and noted subject matter experts such as Doug Stewart, Rich Stowell, Tony Johnstone, and Kay Sundaram Greenfield (SAFE members all). The Project will include a moderated panel on iPad Best Practices for Flight Planning featuring representatives from ForeFlight, Garmin, iFlightPlanner and WingX Pro. Ten different simulator scenarios co-developed by SAFE instructors and the Redbird team will be available in Redbird simulators.

» More on SAFEPilots.org

Sunday, September 22, 2013

iFlightPlanner LIVE! on SimpleFlight.net Radio

Sunday, September 22, 2013 @ 9:00 PM

iFlightPlanner's Co-Founder & Director of Business Development, Andy Matthews, will be on air with Al and Marc from SimpleFlight.net tonight (Sunday) at 9pm ET!

» LISTEN LIVE!

Friday, September 20, 2013

Anti-Glare iPad Screen Protectors, Now Available!

Friday, September 20, 2013 @ 8:00 AM

The iFlightPlanner Crew has researched a number of anti-glare screen protectors for the iPad and iPad mini to not only protect against dust, scratches and fingerprints, but to improve the readability of the iPad in the cockpit.  After much trial and error, the Crew is pleased to announce the availability of these high-quality, matte finish screen protectors in the the iFlightPlanner Shop!

Screen protectors for the iPad 2, 3 & 4 and the iPad mini are available in packs of two (2) starting at $19.95 and join the Bad Elf GPS and GPS Pro as the newest "iFlightPlanner Approved" products to be offered.

» The iFlightPlanner Shop

Thursday, September 19, 2013

FAA Data Update for 9/19 Cycle

Thursday, September 19, 2013 @ 4:01 AM

Official FAA data for the 9/19/13 cycle, including airport diagrams, approach plates, sectional charts and terminal area charts, was updated today at 09:01Z.

Anytime 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 quickly tell you which files need to be updated!

The iFlightPlanner Crew
PLAN. FLY. LOG.™

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

September/October Issue of 'FAA Safety Briefing'

Wednesday, September 18, 2013 @ 8:00 AM

The September/October 2013 issue of FAA Safety Briefing focuses on aviation citizenship. Articles highlight the shared values, customs, and culture we share as citizens of the general aviation community.

Among the feature articles in this issue include:

  • "To Be, Rather Than to Seem" - a look at how a personal SMS can help make you a good aviation citizen
  • "Be Your Fellow Pilot's Keeper" - Safety Intervention Strategies
  • "A Heading Set for Success" - Q&A with Michael Huerta

» FAA Safety Briefing, September/October 2013

Monday, September 16, 2013

Flight Advisory: UN General Assembly TFR

Monday, September 16, 2013 @ 8:00 AM

The FAA issued its Flight Advisory that will serve as notice for flight restrictions that will be in place for the United Nations General Assembly-68th session (UNGA-68) from September 18-30, 2013.  Pilots who do not adhere to the following procedures may be intercepted, detained and interviewed by Federal Law Enforcement/Security Personnel.

Aircraft flight operations are prohibited within a 2NMR of 404459N/0735804W or the JFK VOR/DME 320 degree radial at 11.4NM up to but not including 7,000 FT MSL, daily 1200-2100 UTC (0800-1700 local) effective 1309181200 UTC until 1309302100 UTC, except as specified below and/or unless authorized by ATC in consultation with the Air Traffic Security Coordinator (ATSC) via the Domestic Events Network (DEN).

A second NOTAM will be in effect from September 23 through September 24, 2013 prohibiting aircraft flight operations within a 7NMR (inner core) of 404501N/0735938W or the LGA 259 degree radial at 5.8NM up to but not including 18,000 FT MSL excluding a 2NMR of 405055N/0740344W or the TEB VOR/DME up to and including 2,000 FT MSL.

Within the lateral limits of the New York Class B Airspace (outer area) from the surface up to but not including 18,000 FT MSL excluding a 3NMR of 404400N/0732330W or the DPK 241 degree radial at 5.3NM from the surface up to and including 2,000 FL MSL excluding a 3NMR of 410500N/0734125W or the CMK 215 degree radial at 12.8NM from the surface up to and including 2,000 FT MSL.

The NOTAMs 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 encouraged to contact a Flight Service Station at 1-800-WX-BRIEF (1-800-992-7433) prior to flight to check for all current NOTAMS.

Friday, September 13, 2013

PilotWorkshops Releases Free IFR Scenario Training App

Friday, September 13, 2013 @ 8:00 AM

PilotWorkshops.com has announced the release of its new IFR scenario-based training app for the iPad. Called “IFR Mastery,” the free app provides two IFR scenarios based on PilotWorkshops’ IFR Mastery online training.

» iTunes App Store: IFR Mastery

Within the app, pilots watch a video that sets the stage by putting them in a real, challenging IFR flight situation. After watching the video, pilots are presented with multiple options and relevant resources to help them decide which course of action to take.  The pilot commits to their decision via a poll and immediately sees how their decision compares with thousands of other pilots.

» More on GA News

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Remembering September 11th, 2001

Wednesday, September 11, 2013 @ 8:00 AM

AOPA Says Texas Summit Will Be Its Last

Wednesday, September 11, 2013 @ 7:59 AM

by Mary Grady, AVweb

The annual AOPA Summit is coming up in a few weeks, in Fort Worth, Texas, but AOPA said on Tuesday this will be the last time it holds the event.  "Convention plans for 2014 have been cancelled," AOPA said in a news release.  AOPA said it plans to redirect the time and resources spent on the Summit to hosting more "grass-roots" events and visiting community airports.  "I want our members to make a personal connection with AOPA, and that is best achieved by meeting them where they fly," said Mark Baker, AOPA president, who took office last month.

The iFlightPlanner Crew will be setup with Sennheiser Aviation, the presenting sponsor of iFlightPlanner for iPad, in Booth #1307 at the Fort Worth Convention Center next month.

» More on AVweb

Monday, September 9, 2013

1,000 Eagle Flights in Program's First Year

Monday, September 9, 2013 @ 8:00 AM

The Experimental Aircraft Association’s year-old Eagle Flights program, which provides one-on-one flight experiences for adults interested in becoming a pilot, marked its 1,000th flight on Aug. 10 in Hickory, North Carolina.  Bradley Bormuth of Hickory’s EAA Chapter 731, took Joshua Austin for a flight in a Cessna 172.

Eagle Flights, launched at AirVenture in July 2012, is based on the successful Young Eagles program, which has flown more than 1.7 million kids between the ages of 8 and 17 since 1992.  Through Eagle Flights, EAA hopes to expand the pilot population.

» More on GA News

Saturday, September 7, 2013

Weekend Humor: Be Specific!

Saturday, September 7, 2013 @ 8:00 AM

Find out what all this was about in the Aviation Humor thread in the iFlightPlanner forums

» iFlightPlanner Forums: Aviation Humor

Friday, September 6, 2013

Aircraft Spruce Customer Appreciation Day 2013

Friday, September 6, 2013 @ 8:00 AM

This is the time of year when Aircraft Spruce goes all out at three of its locations by offering spectacular discounts on our most popular products, and to provide a chance for our loyal customers to meet our vendors.

So come join the fun on October 5th and get a chance to win big prizes and enjoy a free grilled hot dog and cold soda, all on Aircraft Spruce!

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

Avionics News Magazine: September 2013

Wednesday, September 4, 2013 @ 8:00 AM

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

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

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

The iFlightPlanner Crew
PLAN. FLY. LOG.™

Monday, September 2, 2013

EAA, AOPA Talk "Collaboration"

Monday, September 2, 2013 @ 8:00 AM

By Russ Niles, AVweb

AOPA incoming President Mark Baker says he's already spoken with EAA Chairman Jack Pelton about future "collaboration" to better serve both organizations and their members. In his first (and, as far as we can tell, only) interview since being named to the post Aug. 22, Baker told AOPA Live host Tom Haines that while it's too early to describe the future alignment of the two organizations, the broad strokes of his discussions with Pelton could see members of each organization benefiting directly from the work of the other.

» More on AVweb