Geo-Referenced Approach Charts Free on FltPlan Go

Passing on this huge announcement from FltPlan.com. They are now offering free geo-referenced approach plates and taxi diagrams! I have used FltPlan Go in the past, and while they have some usability work to go, at this point it could be considered a viable replacement for Foreflight.

 

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Geo-Referenced Approach Charts Free on FltPlan Go
In addition to our Geo-Referenced Taxi Charts, FltPlan Go now has Geo-Referenced Approach Charts for the entire U.S.

Our apps and our digital charts are completely free.

To download FltPlan Go, go to Apple's iTunes Store.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/fltplan-go/id694832363?mt=8 

Time lapse thunderstorm

Posting this amazing video of a "supercell" thunderstorm captured by Mike Oblinski (@MikeOlbinski). A supercell harbors a mesocyclone, a rising column of air surrounded by drafts of falling air. You can see the air being sucked up in the middle of the storm.


A supercell near Booker, Texas from Mike Olbinski on Vimeo.

Pittsburgh Business Times details local pilot stories

This past summer, Paul Gough (@PBT_Paul) from the Pittsburgh Business Times wrote up three nice articles detailing local pilots and the ways they use general aviation to further their businesses and travel (full disclosure, I'm one of them...). It's great for general aviation to have people in media like Paul who understand and expose the value GA brings to business owners and operators.

Allegheny Art Glass owner flies custom panels to clients

Mike Gwinn, president of Measurement Instruments, packs on miles with Piper Seneca V

Highmark executive, family take to skies with Cessna 172

Exec takes flight as personal challenge (Video)

Carl is learning to fly

A friend of mine has begun his journey towards his private pilot ticket and he's letting us all follow along. Please take a minute to check out his blog, I Can Fly.

Approach like a Pro

If you are not already subscribed to FAASafety.gov it is a great resource of safety information, Advisory Circulars, their Wings pilot proficiency program, reminders, and more. Their latest on is stabilized approaches and is as follows:

Stabilize Your Visual Approach
Notice Number: NOTC4840

Reduce your risks during approach and landing by using a Stabilized Approach to the runway. That’s what the air carriers do. You’ll have to develop your own rules for your Stabilized Approach depending on your aircraft. Here are some ideas to get started:

• Stabilized Approach begins at 500 feet AGL
• Approach airspeed is +5 -0
• Only small changes in heading/pitch are necessary to stay on flight path
• Aircraft is in the landing configuration

Once you’ve decided on your Stabilized Approach Rules make them part of your personal minimums. If you find you are breaking a rule it’s time go GO AROUND …


Tom Turner also covered stabilized approaches nicely in this AvWeb article:
http://www.avweb.com/news/leadingedge/leading_edge_23_stabilized_approaches_199047-1.html

Time lapse thunderstorm

Posting this amazing video of a "supercell" thunderstorm captured by Mike Oblinski (@MikeOlbinski). A supercell harbors a mesocyclone, a rising column of air surrounded by drafts of falling air. You can see the air being sucked up in the middle of the storm.


A supercell near Booker, Texas from Mike Olbinski on Vimeo.

Newsworthy

Human error in medical records kills about 98,000 people every year according to the American Association for Justice. The media however chooses to focus attention on the 300 odd fatal General Aviation accidents every year. Priorities anyone?

Postive on Wings Field and GA

I'm planning on flying into the legendary general aviation aiport Wings Field (KLOM) this weekend. In researching the airport I came across this nice piece on the airport and general aviation. It's great to see some news outlets showing the positives of flying GA and these smaller aiports.

Under New Management, Wings Field Is Changing Course

Ever want to learn how to fly a U2?

Lockheed U2 Utility Flight Handbook 1959 (18MB)
(recently declassified by the CIA)