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Since the launch of iFlightPlanner for AOPA on April 22, the iFlightPlanner Crew and specialists in the AOPA Pilot Information Center used common questions and feedback from pilots to tune this week's release of enhancements to iFlightPlanner's web platforms — which includes iFlightPlanner for AOPA.

• Improved route rubberbanding to work in one seamless motion rather than first needing to insert a waypoint 
• Changed how active and future TFRs are depicted on the maps to better inform members 
• Enhanced fuel price menu to help members quickly locate available fuel and pricing at nearby airports
• Added plain language weather briefs and setting for members' preferred format in My Settings
• Created option to reduce the number of reporting points when flying airways
• Introduced logic to detect changes requiring amendment or refiling of previously filed flight plans 

The new features and common questions were highlighted in a live stream with Eric Rush from AOPA and iFlightPlanner co-founders Andy Matthews and John Burnside, which is available HERE on YouTube.

Fans of one of the most picturesque — and hair-raising — landings anywhere are lamenting the end of an era.

Dutch carrier KLM will no longer fly the Boeing 747 to St. Maarten Airport. Beginning on October 30, the flights will be operated by the smaller, though still pretty cool, Airbus A330 instead.

» Read more on FLYING

In this video, Jason Schappert from MzeroA.com shares with you the changes that have already taken effect for the private pilot written test under the new Airman Certification Standards (previously the PTS), and what you can expect if you have a written test coming up!

Beginning on October 1, 2015, the FAA will implement flight plan filing for all civil aircraft exclusively under the format used by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), as described in Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM) Section 1, Paragraph 5-1-9. These flight plans contain specific information relating to the proposed flight of an aircraft and controllers use them to provide air traffic services based on the capabilities of each aircraft. Today pilots file flight plans in the U.S. under either the domestic or ICAO format, and the use of one format will simplify the process and align U.S. flight plans with ICAO standards.

There are several changes to the FAA's Flight Service program expected this year, and this flight planning QuickTip will show you how to easily update your iFlightPlanner aircraft profiles and enjoy a seamless transition to the new ICAO flight plan format when creating and filing flight plans with iFlightPlanner.

As referenced in the video, there is a lot of aircraft-specific information required to file the ICAO flight plans.  However, if you are only flying domestically the FAA requires less ICAO data.

» Simplified Guidance for United States Domestic Flights Using the ICAO Flight Plan Format

For more information you may reference the 2012 ICAO Flight Plan Implementation Info and the Operational Approval Guidance Table to ensure the accuracy of your aircraft profiles.  Should you have any further questions specific to the ICAO flight plans, the FAA has made itself available via email at 9-AJE-FlightPlanQuestions@faa.gov.

The iFlightPlanner Crew
PLAN. FLY. LOG.

With iFlightPlanner for iPad v2.0 being one of the first comprehensive flight planning apps to fully comply with Apple's iOS 7+ Human Interface Guidelines, some button functionality became less obvious.  This Flight Planning Quick Tip shows you how to show and hide the Planner and NavLog consoles on the Flights tab in iFlightPlanner for iPad.  

Know that the Planner and NavLog is accessible from all views within the Flights Tab; Map, Certified Weather Brief, Weight & Balance, File and Log views.  Full details are available in the iFlightPlanner for iPad v2.0 User Guide or via the Help tab within the app.  Should you have any additional questions please don't hesitate to contact us, we're always happy to help!

The iFlightPlanner Crew
PLAN.FLY.LOG.

iFlightPlanner was just featured on a recent episode of AIRBORNE, the Aero-News Network’s award-winning, thrice weekly, aviation and aerospace news program.  You can access a syndicated copy of the webcast here on YouTube…

The episode features iFlightPlanners announcement of its Competitive Trade-Up Program, a new initiative allows pilots using any competitive flight planning product to trade-in their existing subscription and have the time remaining on it added to their new iFlightPlanner Premium or Premium Plus membership.

» Competitive Trade-Up Program

Extremely strong winds at the USAF Academy Airfield in Colorado Springs, Colorado, caused a dangerous emergency situation for pilots of four tow planes sitting on the tarmac as a 55-knot spring gust front swept across the airport.

Two of the four pilots were forced to take to the air or risk having their Piper Super Cubs flipped over as bystanders jumped onto the wings of gliders to keep them on the ground.  The video, filmed from the control tower, was captured this past April 23 as students prepared for glider lessons at the mountain airport, where strong winds can start without warning. 

» More via FLYING

Dave Allen from Other People's Airplanes talks with iFlightPlanner's Co-Founder Andy Matthews about the latest updates to iFlightPlanner for iPad and iFlightPlanner.com, including iOS 7 updates and all-new Cockpit Voice and Flight Data Recorders.

Other People’s Airplanes is an internet-based video show (or podcast) where Dave Allen brings you into the cockpit of, well, other people’s airplanes!  He mounts high definition cameras anywhere he can in and on airplanes whenever @DaveFlys.  He then produces a fresh episode of the show for you to watch with your own eyeballs!

In addition to documenting other people's airplanes, Dave videos some of the best and most exciting news from Sebring, SUN 'n FUN and AirVenture.  He's been a great supporter of iFlightPlannner and we were excited to share with him the release of iFlightPlanner for iPad v2.0!

» Other People's Airplanes

While at the Redbird Migration 2013 ANN CEO and Editor-In-Chief, Jim Campbell talked with Radek Wyrzykowski, the founder and president of IMC Club.

The IMC Club is a membership based Non-Profit 501(c)(3) organization focused on instrument rated pilots and flight instructors, with a network of chapters throughout the nation, whose intent is to create a community of pilots in order to share information, provide recognition foster communications, promote safety and build proficiency in instrument flying.  IMC Club Chapters offer monthly meetings in which pilots can network and share knowledge and experiences.

iFlightPlanner is the presenting sponsor of the IMC Club's Inner Marker Circle, an elite group of pilots who are dedicated to the consistent and constant improvement of instrument flying skills.

» IMC Club International

At 170 miles per hour, Rob Weber's flight into Page Field (KFMY) became a shocking flurry of feathers and broken windshield.  A camera on board his Piper Saratoga captured the moments a bird struck his windshield, sending pieces of plastic and electronics into his face.

The video shows Weber keeping his cool, even after he notices he's bleeding from the forehead. He takes the controls and makes a calm landing.

» More on WINK News

The trailer for the upcoming Disney movie, "Planes: Fire & Rescue" the sequel to the popular animated movie "Planes" has been released.

Following on the success of the 2013 film that featured an ag aircraft with a fear of heights who became an air racer, Dusty Crophopper (voice of Dane Cook), the sequel will again follow the life of Dusty as he discovers that damage he has suffered may mean he'll never race again. High-profile promotional activity for "Planes" included the appearances of a real aerial applicator, an Air Tractor AT-301 in a Dusty Crophopper paint scheme, at events across the country, including numerous flights during the airshow at AirVenture 2013. 

Southwest Airlines recently completed installation of Water Vapor Sensing Systems (WVSS-II) on 87 Boeing 737 aircraft. The water vapor initiative, a result of a partnership between Aeronautical Radio Incorporated (ARINC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and SpectraSensors, has the potential to improve weather forecasting by providing real-time and frequent humidity data when aircraft takeoff and land at airports around the country.

"Southwest's meteorology team has always worked closely with ARINC and NOAA, and the WVSS-II project is symbolic of our strong reliance on each other. We are proud to be the only passenger airline currently participating in the project and look forward to the many ways WVSS-II will impact and improve both weather forecasting and the impact on airline operations," said Rick Curtis, Chief Meteorologist, Southwest Airlines.

» More via Southwest Airlines

Amazon.com recently teased Prime Air, a project their team has been working on in its next generation R&D lab.  The goal of this new delivery system is to get packages into customers' hands in 30 minutes or less using unmanned aerial vehicles.  Putting Prime Air into commercial use will take some number of years as they advance technology and wait for the necessary FAA rules and regulations.

» More on Amazon.com

By Mary Grady, AVweb

The deck of a cargo ship in the English Channel became a landing site recently for the pilot of a Foxbat Xtreme STOL airplane. The landing, caught on camera from several angles, was a carefully planned stunt by Dutch pilot Jaap Rademaker. "The ship was sailing at 9 knots speed over ground, the true windspeed was 14 knots, just about the full flap stall speed with just myself in the plane and full long-range fuel tanks," Rademaker wrote.

» More on AVweb

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

A record crowd estimated at 15,000 AirVenture guests filled the lawn and surrounding area in front of the EAA Fly-In Theater Friday night for a special pre-premiere showing of Disney's 'Planes'.

Moviegoers were allowed to begin putting down chairs at 5 p.m. and the feature presentation began just before 9 p.m. - and the area filled quickly.  Movie director Klay Hall and producer Traci Balthazor-Flynn kicked things off by sharing footage of the fun research that went into the film, including visits to several airports in the Midwest, pilot interviews, and flying in various aircraft to make sure they were getting things right.

The movie will be in theaters this Friday, August 9.

» Watch The Trailer

The IMC Club released a 30-minute training DVD on how to start and run an IMC Club Chapter. The viewer gets to see an introduction by the IMC Club founder and Club President Radek Wyrzykowski. He explains how IMC Clubs came about and it’s purpose. Radek also reviews the IMC website, concentrating on Member Benefits while demonstrating how to access them.

“I still will try to do my best to attend as many new chapter openings as I can. I wish I could attend them all. This DVD I hope will generate my virtual presence at those meetings I will not be able to attend and it will help to explain our concept and mission to even more pilots worldwide,” said Radek Wyrzykowski, President of IMC Club.

The new DVD is available for free to all new chapters signing after June 11, 2013 and will be available for purchased by existing chapters for a small fee.  

The IMC Club's intent is to create a community of pilots in order to share information, provide recognition, foster communications, promote safety and build proficiency in instrument flying.

This week's flight planning Quick Tip shows you how to modify your profile and customize your flight planning experience with iFlightPlanner.

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.

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

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/

This week's flight planning Quick Tip shows you how to close your flight plan and log your flight into your electronic logbook using iFlightPlanner.com or iFlightPlanner for iPad.

Last week's flight planning Quick Tip demonstrated how iFlightPlanner can help you incorporate SIDs and STARs into your low altitude and jet route auto routing.  This new feature, along with several others, were part of a significant update to iFlightPlanner.com that also strengthened the inner workings of iFlightPlanner in anticipation of the release of iFlightPlanner for iPad v2.0 presented by Sennheiser later this year.

Each new feature has been seamlessly integrated into your iFlightPlanner experience and are detailed as follows:

Weather

• Airports without METAR and/or TAF now display nearest weather observation and forecasts (up to 200nm away)
• International weather is displayed by choosing "Adverse Flight Rules" on maps
• US AWOS/Weather Stations without a corresponding airport are now included in corridor weather displays

NOTAMs

• Complete NOTAM Support, including Domestic, FDC, Military, Military Local and International NOTAMs
• All NOTAMs are updated every 5 minutes via live feed directly from the FAA

Flight Wizard

• Flight Plan Filing: The "Yes, I want to file a flight plan" option defaults to "off"
• Members can set their personal default under "My Profile > Aviation"

SIDs & STARs

• Full SID/STAR selection capability with "Low Altitude Airway Auto w SID/STAR" or "Jet Route Auto-Routing"
• SIDs and STARs are populated when the From/To airports are entered or changed

Flight Document

• Now includes NOTAMs
• Basic RADAR images removed
• Now customizable for printing by toggling on/off Local Charts, Weight & Balance, Route Map, Navigation Log, TAFs, NOTAMS, and A/FD Services
• Selections can be set as personal defaults under "My Profile > Aviation"

We look forward to hearing your thoughts on these additions!  Should you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us.  We sincerely appreciate your continued support of iFlightPlanner!

The iFlightPlanner Crew
PLAN. FLY. LOG.™

This week's flight planning Quick Tip shows you how iFlightPlanner can help you incorporate SIDs and STARs into your low altitude and jet route flight planning. 

This week's flight planning Quick Tip highlights iFlightPlanner's integrated weight & balance calculator and demonstrates how easy it is to email or text your CG results to yourself or a friend.

Did you know that there is a host of aviation videos about safety, trending news items, training, NextGen, and administration policy right at your fingertips?

» FAA Television

Links on the main page allow you to share the content via your favorite media platform, or you can download the videos as an MP4 for future reference.  Visit http://www.faa.gov/tv/ for more information!

The iFlightPlanner Crew
PLAN. FLY. LOG.™

As an alternative to calling 1-800-WXBRIEF, this week's flight planning Quick Tip shows you how to retrieve a weather brief using iFlightPlanner that is also certified and recorded with the FAA.

iFlightPlanner was recently featured on SkilledPilots.com, aviation's newest industry directory where businesses and pilots can create listings in an effort to grow awareness for their respective brands.

SkilledPilots.com boasts over 27,000 followers via their @SkilledPilots Twitter and YouTube accounts, which the company uses to highlight the industry's leading businesses.  Media outlets such as ABC News, Boston Globe, Miami Herald, The Columbus Dispatch, The Telegraph, San Francisco Chronicle, Sign On San Diego and more have already noticed the work being done by SkilledPilots.com.

We invite you to check out our listing, and if you represent an aviation organization or can benefit personally from a listing, create one of your own!

The iFlightPlanner Crew
PLAN. FLY. LOG.™

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

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!

Top Gear's James May dreamed of being a fighter pilot as a child, his passion stoked by hours spent folding and refolding sheets of paper to produce the sleekest flying model.  So May jumped at the chance when Radio Times invited him to show how to make the paper plane of his youth.

Boeing introduces the "Dream Pass" experience, a 360° user-controlled view from a virtual jump seat in the Boeing 787 as it takes off, flies and lands at Boeing Field in Seattle, WA.

The technology allows you to take real-time control of the view just as if you were sitting in the cockpit and listen to either a pilots commentary on his experience flying the Dreamliner, or the inflight audio.  Also available are a exterior views of the fuselage and wings just as if you were perfroming the walk-around, preflight check of the aircraft.

» Experience the 787 "Dream Pass"

Paramount Pictures has announced that it will release a 3D version of Top Gun for a six-day run in select IMAX theaters starting February 8, 2013.

Originally released in 1986, the classic starring Tom Cruise has been digitally remastered from high-resolution original negative scans and was painstakingly converted to 3D under the supervision of the film's director, the late Tony Scott, the studio said.  "Rendered in 3D, the film's complex, long shots reveal extraordinary depth and clarity, allowing viewers to explore every detail of the action," according to the studio. "From the spectacular aerial dogfights to the intense close-ups in the cockpits, each frame enables the audience to feel a part of the story."

This week's flight planning Quick Tip shows you how to use custom locations or latitude/longitude coordinates as a departure or destination, a feature specifically designed for pilots who fly seaplanes or helicopters.

This week's flight planning Quick Tip shows you how easy it is to drag, drop and rubberband your flight routes with iFlightPlanner and the iFlightPlanner Flight Wizard.

iFlightPlanner's interactive and freely accessible secional and IFR charts can be found at https://www.iFlightPlanner.com/AviationCharts.

One of the most exciting new features available to iFlightPlanner Premium member is the ability to export flight plans.  This flight planning Quick Tip, featuring the Dynon Skyview avionics package, shows you how to save .FPL and .GPX files using the iFlightPlanner Flight Wizard, and import them directly into your avionics.

Upgrade your account to iFlightPlanner Premium and experience all that iFlightPlanner has to offer!

This flight planning Quick Tip shows you how to use iFlightPlanner's graphical AIRMETs, SIGMETs and TFRs depicted along your route.

Experts analyzing the timing and signature of a sound captured along with video footage during Felix Baumgartner's record setting freefall from 128,000 feet believe it is a sonic boom, Red Bull said Friday.  "The wave form of the sonic boom has been isolated and is consistent with existing 'sonic boom characteristics' data," the company said. Four different groups of observers that were present in different areas local to the jump heard the sound as Baumgartner accelerated beyond 833 mph in supersonic freefall, according to Red Bull. "Everyone all at once said, 'did you just hear that?' We knew exactly what it was."  The team is analyzing data in hopes of removing all doubt.

» WATCH ON YOU TUBE

This flight planning Quick Tip shows you how to use iFlightPlanner's color-coded METARs and TAFs that are depicted along your route.

This flight planning Quick Tip shows you how to save a favorite route for future use with the iFlightPlanner Flight Wizard.

When skydiver Felix Baumgartner stepped from the Red Bull Stratos on Sunday from 128,000 feet, he broke two records that stood for more than 50 years.  His was the highest-ever parachute jump and the highest manned balloon flight.  Baumgartner is reported to have reached Mach 1.24 during his 4:18 freefall.  While it was the fastest, it was not the longest duration freefall on record.  That record still belongs to Col. Joe Kittinger, who waited until the 4:30 mark to deploy his parachute in 1960.  Coincidentally, Baumgartner's successful jump took place exactly 65 years, to the day, after Chuck Yeager first broke the speed of sound in the rocket-powered X1.

This flight planning Quick Tip shows you how to find and use the quickest or most efficient altitude for your flight using the iFlightPlanner Flight Wizard.

This flight planning Quick Tip shows you how to find and use FAA coded departure routes with the iFlightPlanner Flight Wizard.

Twitter CEO, Dick Costolo, recently appeared on the TODAY show to talk about the social media giant's redesign, but what caught the eye of the iFlightPlanner Crew was their user feedback strategy and how closely it mirrors that of iFlightPlanner.

Know that every feature that is now part of iFlightPlanner.com, mobile.iFlightPlanner.com and iFlightPlanner for iPad is the result of user feedback.  Those of you who have contacted us can attest to the fact that we ackknowledge every message that we receive, and we appreciate your contined support in shaping the future of iFlightPlanner!

The iFlightPlanner Crew
PLAN. FLY. LOG.™   

This flight planning Quick Tip shows you how to find and use FAA preferred routes with the iFlightPlanner Flight Wizard.

This flight planning Quick Tip shows you how to use the custom and auto-routing features available in the iFlightPlanner Flight Wizard.

See just how easy it is to search and find airports in the Airport/Facility Directory in this iFlightPlanner Quick Tip.

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.