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EAA's staff of AirVenture experts got together to share some of their favorite “insider” tips ahead of this year's event in Oshkosh, WI.

They published their recommendations in an article on the EAA website, Cracking the Code: An Insider's Guide for AirVenture Rookies, and it covers everything from the event's history, ticketing, creating a gameplan, the different neighborhoods, how to get there, how to get around once there, food, the airshows, and more!

You'll also find a great sidebar highlighting top 5 things to know about oshkosh as a first-timer.

» Cracking the Code: An Insider's Guide for AirVenture Rookies

In anticipation of the large number of aircraft operating to and from areas hosting major sporting and entertainment events, the FAA has published updated procedures in its Domestic Notices valid from June 15, 2023 to enhance safety and minimize air traffic delays.

• 2023-0710 NASCAR Quaker State 400
• 2023-0731 EAA Airventure Oshkosh

THESE PROCEDURES MAY BE REVISED OR UNAVAILABLE AT THE TIME OF THE EVENT.  PILOTS SHOULD CHECK NOTICES AND TRAFFIC ADVISORIES PRIOR TO DEPARTURE TO ENSURE THE MOST CURRENT INFORMATION. THESE NOTICES DO NOT SUPERCEDE RESTRICTIONS PERTAINING TO THE USE OF AIRSPACE CONTAINED IN FDC NOTICES.

Official airport, navigation and chart data for the FAA's 56-day AIRAC cycle beginning June 15, 2023 became current today as of 09:01Z.  This includes updated georeferenced data for airport diagrams and instrument approach procedures available in iFlightPlanner for iPad and iFlightPlanner for iPhone.

Anytime you access iFlightPlanner or iFlightPlanner for AOPA from your desktop, laptop, or smartphone browser you can be confident you're seeing the most current and accurate data available.

To ensure iFlightPlanner is current on your iPhone or iPad, simply tap "Check for Updates" in the upper-left corner of the Downloads tab.  Each app will quickly tell you which packages need to be updated!

The iFlightPlanner Crew
PLAN. FLY. LOG.

The FAA will grant a fleet authorization allowing over two-thirds of the gasoline piston fleet to operate on 91UL avgas later this year.

The move is part of the FAA's efforts to eliminate lead from avgas. During a news conference, Lirio Liu, the head of certification for the FAA, announced that "approximately 68 percent of the general aviation fleet will be eligible to use UL91."

The development of an unleaded high-octane replacement for 100UL avgas is also underway per the original report on AVweb.

iFlightPlanner for iPad and iFlightPlanner for iPhone users may now download airport and navigation data as well as aeronautical charts, georeferenced airport diagrams and terminal procedures for the FAA Data Cycle that goes into effect on June 15, 2023.  Simply tap the button in the upper-left corner of the Downloads tab to "Check For Updates."

Pilots using iFlightPlanner for AOPA or iFlightPlanner on their desktop, laptop, or smartphone will see the iFlightPlanner Cloud automatically make the transition to the new data at 9:01Z on June 15.

Signature Aviation has reopened its renovated FBO at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (PANC). The upgraded facility, located in the former Kulis Alaska Air National Guard facility, includes a 13,900-square-foot passenger terminal and a 90,000-square-foot ramp.

There is a dedicated area within the FBO specifically designed for international traffic where a U.S. Customs and Border Protection station will be operational within the FBO. This addition is expected to facilitate swift customs clearance for inbound traffic destined for any location within the United States.

Pilots can find further details at signatureaviation.com/locations/anc.

The 2023 AirVenture Notice specifies sign codes used to inform ground personnel of your desired parking area at Wittman Regional Airport (KOSH).  You'll need to display one of these signs for your arrival and another for departure based on your aircraft type and parking or camping preference.

New for 2023 is the option for GAC and GAP arrivals to request either the North 40 or South 40 - but note these requests are NOT guaranteed.

Arrival Signs

• Homebuilt Camping (HBC)
• Homebuilt Parking (HBP)
• Vintage Aircraft Camping (VAC)
• Vintage Aircraft Parking (VAP)
• General Aviation Camping (GAC)
• General Aviation Parking (GAP)
• Warbird Area (WB)
• Basler FBO (FBO)
• Seaplane (Amphibian) Area (SP)
• International Aerobatic Club (IAC)
• Camp Scholler Express Arrival (EXP)
• North 40 Request (N)
• South 40 Request (S)

Departure Signs

• VFR Departure (VFR)
• IFR Departure (IFR)
• NORDO

Please know this Notice does not supersede restrictions contained in other FDC NOTAMs, however it is required reading and should be part of every pilot's preflight preparation.

This year's arrival and departure signs are again produced in partnership with iFlightPlanner for AOPA, the powerful web interface for AOPA members to plan flights using hi-res charts and weather imagery, retrieve weather briefs, file flight plans, and much more!

Remember to print your arrival and departure signs before your trip and fly safe!

The iFlightPlanner Crew
PLAN. FLY. LOG.

Effective June 15, 2023, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will implement changes to the Class C airspace around Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW).

The modifications aim to enhance separation between incoming traffic to Midway Runway 22L and general aviation aircraft flying along the Lake Michigan shoreline using Visual Flight Rules. To provide information about these changes, the FAA will conduct virtual meetings on June 6 and June 7, accessible through Zoom and their YouTube channel. The meetings will include presentations on the modifications, and attendees can ask questions either during the Zoom sessions or via the chat feature on FAA's social media channels.

UPDATE: On Saturday, June 3, 2023, the President signed into law H.R. 346, which requires the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to establish a task force to provide recommendations for improvement of Notices to Air Missions (NOTAMs).

May 23, 2023 — H.R. 346, the NOTAM Improvement Act of 2023, is a legislation aimed at enhancing the Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) system for pilots submitted in response to the January 12, 2023 system crash.

The bill, which received near-unanimous Congressional approval, recognizes the current shortcomings of the system, which often presents information in a complex and cumbersome manner, leading to difficulties in understanding and accessing critical flight information.

The act mandates the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to modernize the NOTAM system by streamlining and digitizing its content, making it more user-friendly and easily accessible to pilots. The FAA is required to adopt a standardized format, simplify language, and utilize technology to improve the dissemination and retrieval of NOTAMs for flight planning resources such as iFlightPlanner and the Regulatory Compliant Weather Briefs it provides.

The objective is to enhance aviation safety by ensuring pilots have timely and comprehensible information to make informed decisions during flight operations.

» H.R.346 - NOTAM Improvement Act of 2023

The FAA has proposed a rule to remove the expiration date on flight instructor certificates, aligning flight instructor certificates with other non-expiring pilot certificates.

A three-month grace period would be added allowing instructors to restore recent experience by completing a Flight Instructor Refresher Course (FIRC). The AOPA, who has been advocating for this change since 1999, believes these changes will benefit the public, encourage expired instructors to rejoin the CFI community, and reduce administrative processing.

The proposed rule offers several options for maintaining currency, including passing a practical test, endorsing students with a high pass rate, serving in specific roles, completing an approved FIRC, or participating in the FAA's WINGS Pilot Proficiency Program.

Comments on the proposed rule can be submitted HERE until June 22, 2023.