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Every year for EAA AirVenture, the FAA sends a batch of controllers to handle all the extra traffic at the Oshkosh tower, but this year, the FAA is asking EAA to chip in to cover their costs.  The FAA wants to collect enough to cover the controllers' travel expenses, per diems, and overtime. EAA is not happy about the change.  "This may be an early indication of further efforts by the FAA to charge GA operators for functions in ways that could add unforeseen costs for the average pilot who simply wants to enjoy flying," said EAA, in a news release.  Jack Pelton, EAA chairman, called the change "alarming," and AOPA president Craig Fuller said it was "extremely troubling news."

» Full Article on AVweb

Official FAA data for the 5/30/13 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.™

This week's flight planning Quick Tip shows you how to use the Special Use Airspace (SUA) and Class B, C, D and E Airspace functionality with maps and charts in iFlightPlanner.

The iFlightPlanner Crew is excited to announce that all iFlightPlanner.com maps, namely the VFR and IFR charts at iFlightPlanner.com/AviationCharts and those found in the Flight Wizard, now offer complete airspace functionality.  Special Use Airspace (NSA, MOA, Alert, Warning, Prohibited, & Restricted) and Class B, C, D and E airspace information all with their respective details will be available at no cost for 60-days as part of our new iFlightPlanner Premium Feature initiative.

To view airspace for any location on the map, simply left or right click with your mouse and select the "View Airspace Info" option.  iFlightPlanner.com will pull the most up-to-date airspace info from our servers and display the areas visually on the map as well as in a popup that will contain as much additional airspace information as is available, including:

• Distinct airspace areas
• Vertical altitude limits
• Times of use
• Contact information

By hovering over the "Area" definition you will see the specific airspace outline highlighted on the map, a feature that helps you distinguish between different areas of complex airspace.  Airspace with text definitions will have a page icon that can be clicked to view the full airspace definition.  This is especially useful for TFRs, MOAs and other special use airspace which may contain very specific text instructions.

There is a new iFlightPlanner Forum thread for the SUA and Class Airspace feature and we encourage you to kick the tires and put each new feature through the ringer.  Let us know what you like, what needs to be tweaked and how we can continue to make iFlightPlanner the best resource for you!

The iFlightPlanner Crew
PLAN. FLY. LOG.™

Disney has released a new trailer for its upcoming movie “Planes”, check it out!

This free 32-page booklet is an absolute must if you're flying an aircraft to Oshkosh.  The AirVenture 2013 NOTAM outlines all arrival/departure procedures, radio frequencies, Wittman Regional Airport (KOSH)  details, and much more. Although many of the procedures are similar to previous years, there are updates in nearly every area to enhance safety, efficiency, and convenience for the thousands of airplanes expected at the World's Greatest Aviation Celebration.  Some of the noteworthy differences compared to the 2012 version include:

• Sequence of VFR Arrival Pages 
• Taxiways at Appleton-Outagamie Regional (KATW) 
• IFR Arrival/Departure Routings 
• FISKE Intersection Moved in 02 MAY 13 Database
• No On-site FSS Services; Alternatives May Be Available

The EAA AirVenture NOTAM is required reading and should be part of every pilot's preflight preparation.  Remember to print your arrival and departure signs before your trip and fly safe!  We'll look forward to seeing you in Oshkosh!

The iFlightPlanner Crew
PLAN. FLY. LOG. ™

The closing of 149 federal air traffic control facilities that was originally scheduled for April and delayed to June 15 has been delayed yet again to November 1, 2013.

The Department of Transportation said Friday it would fund air traffic technology and maintenance programs with $21 million by moving funds within its budget. The FAA was required by sequestration to cut $637 million from its budget. As drafted, the agency was granted little latitude in how it applied the cuts. That changed when controller furloughs correlated with commercial flight delays, and more changes soon followed.

» More on AVweb

In February, iFlightPlanner and the IMC Club announced a stretegic partnership that will result in the availability of enhanced iFlightPlanner resources for pilots who are committed to maintaining the highest standards of instrument flying proficiency.

The IMC Club is expanding its educational and safety outreach at AirVenture this year and will be conducting Open Chapter meetings each day as a part of their expanded presence, and volunteers are needed!

Volunteers must be an IMC Club members and be willing to interact with potential members and the public at the IMC Club Oshkosh headquarters located in the Hartzell Chalet for at least two, 2-3 hour shifts during the week.

If you or someone you know is going to be at Oshkosh and are interested in sharing the message of safety and proficiency to the other instrument rated pilots, the iFlightPlanner Crew encourages you to sign up and volunteer!  All volunteers will receive an IMC/Oshkosh T-Shirt, button, baseball cap and lunch served at the Club's AirVenture headquarters.

The iFlightPlanner Crew
PLAN. FLY. LOG.™

The FAA has reversed their decision to close 72 air traffic control towers and other ATC facilities at midnight in an effort to meet the automatic spending cuts that went into effect under sequestration.

The announcement came this week after a conference call with airlines and advocacy groups. Some of the airports that were to lose overnight service included Chicago's Midway Airport, Milwaukee's General Mitchell Airport, Albuquerque International Sunport in New Mexico, and Atlantic City International in New Jersey.

The FAA is still mulling whether to close 149 contract towers at airports around the country. The mayors and other community leaders of 70 cities joined together last week to write a letter to FAA administrator Michael Huerta and DOT secretary Ray LaHood saying that the contract towers should remain open.

The May/June 2013 issue of FAA Safety Briefing is now available and focuses on environmental advances in general aviation. Articles explore ways we can "fly green" through new technology and by following environmentally sound practices.

Among the feature articles in this issue include: 

• How to be a noise-friendly neighbor
• The future of electric aircraft
• The FAA's avgas initiative

» FAA Safety Briefing, May/June 2013

Have you ever had an issue opening a flight plan you filed because flight service said the data is incomplete?  A few iFlightPlanner members have brought this to our attention along the way, and in our continual effort to provide best-in-class customer service we wanted to shed some light on the situation should you encounter it in the future.

All VFR flight plans submitted to CSC DUATS are then sent to Lockheed-Martin Flight Service (LMFS) in a messagaging format that is specified in FAA Order 7110.10J, the same electronic format that has been used for years.  Upon receipt, Lockheed Martin Flight Service has all the information they need to properly open your flight plan.  The "missing data" is not needed to open a flight plan but can be requested trough a QALQ message in the event a pilot goes overdue on their ETA.

Our research indicates that this is not a new issue, but one that has waged between pilots and LMFS for some time.  In the end, CSC DUATS recommends that pilots remain firm in their request to open their flight plan knowing that Flight Service has the appropriate flight plan information to do so.

If you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact us.  We'll be happy to help in any way we can!

The iFlightPlanner Crew
PLAN. FLY. LOG.™

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

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

• The View from Washington
• International News & Regulatory Updates
• Power Redundancy in the Age of Digital Cockpits
• Member Profile: RUAG Aviation
• Member Profile: SkyTrac Systems
• Capital Quest: Finding the Funds to Open, Expand or Sustain
• Going Global: Selling Your Goods and Services Abroad
• Meet the AEA Board of Directors
• A Real-Time Look at Airborne Weather Radar

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

Official FAA data for the 5/2/13 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.™

With the closing of towers at many airports, it is more critical than ever to brush up on non-towered communication skills.  John and Martha King have released a free, online course that will take you through the paces of arrival and departure from airports without an operating control tower and show you how to use skillful communication together with situational awareness to manage collision risk.

The 13-minute course is comprised of excerpts from their $49 Communications Take-Off course and is avalable via the KingSchools.com.

» KingSchools.com/Non-Tower-Ops/