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The FAA is seeking comments on two draft advisory circulars (ACs), AC 00-45H and AC 00-6B, that update the agency’s reference material on aviation weather.  The new drafts would replace weather guidance dating to 1943.  The weather guidance was completely rewritten in 1975, and updated again in 2015.

“Basic weather science has not changed significantly since 1975.  However, new capabilities now necessitate the incorporation of new science. In 1975, aviation users were not directly touched by radar and satellite weather.  In 2015, much of what a pilot understands about the current atmosphere comes from these ubiquitous data sources,” the FAA said.

To review the new documents and submit comments by January 20, visit this page on the FAA website, where the individual email and mailing addresses for sending comments on the drafts are provided.

The iFlightPlanner Crew is excited to announce that we will be fully supporting the Bad Elf ADS-B receivers at product launch!

In 2010, Bad Elf brought aviation-grade GPS to the iPad.  The Bad Elf GPS receivers became the best selling Apple approved external GPS accessory providing high performance GPS data to location-based iOS applications.  Now Bad Elf is announcing their affordable ADS-B weather and traffic receiver with support from Kickstarter.

After five years of portable ADS-B receivers being on the market, less than 10% of pilots are flying with real-time, subscription-free weather and traffic in the cockpit.  They cite high price and restricted compatibility as the two main reasons that they have not yet purchased an ADS-B receiver.  

With Bad Elf taking a fresh approach and building their ADS-B receiver around open standards, iFlightPlanner is fully on board.  We’ve never been a fan of exclusivity and we absolutely love the path that Bad Elf and others are forging with ADS-B device interoperability.  Together we recognize that pilots want a choice, and a chance to find the solution that best suits their needs.

The next version of iFlightPlanner for iPad is in the final stages of testing, and we've pushed its release back to include this new opportunity with Bad Elf.  Including the to-be-released Bad Elf ADS-B device, iFlightPlanner for iPad will support ADS-B connectivity for nine different manufacturers and at least thirteen different receivers, including both portable devices and certified ADS-B installations.

Be sure to keep an eye on the iFlightPlanner Blog for the latest updates on iFlightPlanner, as well as Kickstarter to learn more about the Bad Elf campaign!

The FAA recently issued a revised Advisory Circular 70/7460-1L that updates guidelines for the proper way to light and mark obstructions affecting navigable airspace.

Among the changes include the requirement for the FAA to determine whether a structure that is 200 feet above ground level (AGL) or higher, or near an airport, does not pose an airspace hazard. Also included are new lighting specifications for wind turbines, new lighting and marking standards for reducing the impact on migratory bird populations, and standards for voluntary marking of meteorological evaluation towers lower than 200 feet.

» Advisory Circular AC 70/7460-1L

Official airport, navigation and chart data for the FAA's 56-day cycle beginning 12/10/15 became current today as of 09:01Z.  This includes updated georeferenced data for airport diagrams and instrument approach procedures available in iFlightPlanner for iPad.

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, simply tap "Check for Updates" in the upper-left corner of the Downloads tab.  The app will quickly tell you which packages need to be updated!

The iFlightPlanner Crew
PLAN. FLY. LOG.

iFlightPlanner for iPad 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 December 10, 2015.  Simply tap the button in the upper-left corner of the Downloads tab to "Check For Updates".

Pilots using iFlightPlanner.com or mobile.iFlightPlanner.com from their smartphones will see the iFlightPlanner Cloud automatically make the transition to the new data at 9:01Z on December 10.