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The FAA formally published its policy including the criteria for selecting hundreds of VOR navigation aids that will be decommissioned over the next decade. The policy, released today, further outlines the process for decommissioning. The agency has selected 308 VORs to be decommissioned as the agency moves to a satellite-based navigational system.

Under the plan, 74 VORs are set for decommissioning through Phase 1, which is ongoing through 2020. Under Phase 2, which is to take place between 2021 and 2025, 234 more VORs will be decommissioned. The FAA last fall received investment plan approval and had announced the list of the first 35 to be decommissioned.

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The FAR-FC and FAR-AMT books are available and shipping now from ASA. The FAR/AIM (which includes new 14 CFR Parts 48 and 107 pertaining to both manned aircraft and remote pilot operations) will begin shipping on August 10.

The ASA FAR/AIM Series books are indexed and show clearly-marked changes since the last release for quick reference.

The July/August 2016 issue of FAA Safety Briefing focuses on the world of student pilots and airmen-in-training.  This issue provides tips and resources for success in initial pilot certification. It also explores the new Airman Certification Standards (ACS) which begins rolling out this summer. The ACS lists the standards for what an applicant needs to know, consider, and do in order to pass both the knowledge test and the practical test for a certificate or rating.

Get your fully compatible PDF, ePub for iOS, Nook and Android, or MOBI file for your Kindle of this issue at faa.gov!

Official airport, navigation and chart data for the FAA's 56-day cycle beginning 7/21/16 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.

The 2016 AirVenture NOTAM specifies sign codes used to inform ground personnel of your desired parking area at Wittman Regional Airport.  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.

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)

Departure Signs

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

The 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!

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 July 21, 2016.  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 July 21.

While most pilots understand the inherent dangers of operating a motor vehicle — airplane included — while attempting to fire off a quick text message, the FAA says text-based ATC, also known as controller-pilot datalink communications (CPDLC), is the wave of the future and is taking hold at airports around the United States. The agency expects CPDLC to be installed and operating at all California airports next month.

The system, now operable on most airliners and many business jets, allows text-based messages to replace dozens of repetitive verbal ATC instructions normally passed via VHF radio. The system also saves valuable radio airtime by eliminating regular pilot requests to repeat instructions because messages display directly on a small cockpit screen. CPDLC messages aren’t subject to interference by other pilots' radio calls either.

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