Notice Number: NOTC7226

What: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Weather Service (NWS) have been working jointly to retire the six (6) CONUS text FAs, while also directing users to utilize finer resolution graphical and digital weather forecast products.

Why: The CONUS FAs (c. 1940) are a suite of products that cover very large geographical areas, have limited text size, cannot account for certain meteorological conditions and are updated only three times a day. Several NWS digital and graphical products are available today that provide the same weather forecast information found in the CONUS FA, but with much finer resolution in both space and time. These digital and graphical products provide users much improved weather forecast information.

When: A transition period of three (3) months begins July 10, where all the NWS products will be available. Production of the CONUS text FAs will cease October 10.

Where: Only the CONUS FAs are affected. Other (off-CONUS) FAs will continue to be produced, until further notice.

The Graphical Forecasts for Aviation (GFA) can be accessed at: https://www.aviationweather.gov/gfa

PowerPoint slides with additional information are available at: https://www.faasafety.gov/gslac/ALC/libview_normal.aspx?id=132160

For additional details, please contact:

FAA: Mr. Michael ‘Pat’ Murphy
NextGen Aviation Weather Division
1250 Maryland Ave., SW
Washington, DC 20025
(202) 267-2788
Michael.Murphy@faa.gov

NWS: Mr. Kevin Stone
Aviation and Space Weather Services Branch
1325 East West Highway
Silver Spring, MD 20910
(301) 427-9363
Kevin.Stone@noaa.gov

For a limited time, the FAA is offering a $500 rebate for completed ADS-B installations in fixed-wing, single-engine piston aircraft. The FAA is implementing this program to emphasize the urgent need for pilots to equip for the ADS-B Out rule ahead of the January 1, 2020 deadline. Are you eligible for a rebate? Please visit faa.gov/go/rebate/ for details. But act now! The last day to apply for your rebate is September 18, 2017.

On June 9, 2017, the FAA issued a Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) for Cessna Models 172RG, R182, TR182, FR182, and all variants of 210/T210/P210-series airplanes with the exception of the Models 210 and 210A airplanes. The SAIB emphasizes the importance of inspecting main landing gear actuator assemblies for cracks following Textron Aviation Inc. supplemental inspection documents (SIDs) applicable to each model to prevent gear extension and retraction malfunctions. To view the SAIB, click here

Just a reminder that Truckee, CA, will have a Control Tower in operation from June 1st, 2017 for 90 days. Point of contact: Katie Greenwood (530) 587-4119.

On May 11, 2017, the FAA issued a Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) that highlights the potential for loose elevator attach bolts on certain Cessna 150/152 models. The SAIB was issued based on a service difficulty report of an elevator hinge bolt backing out on a C-150. The FAA recommends performing the inspections detailed in the Cessna supplemental inspection document (SID) 55-10-01. Both the SAIB and the SID(s) can be found here.

The FAA also issued an SAIB on May 10 which outlines available service instructions for identifying causes of engine kickback and recommended engine inspections following a kickback event on certain Continental Motors, Inc., 550 and 520 series reciprocating engines. See the full bulletin here.

We wanted to notify you that Truckee Airport KTRK will become a tower operated airport from 07:00 to 21:00, as of June 1, 2017. It is vital to note that the chart will still indicate the airspace as Class E airspace all the way to the ground, not Class D despite the tower.

The chart will also label the tower frequency as a “CTAF.” The frequency is 120.575. There is no ground frequency, just tower. Use the frequency just like a class D airport even though the airspace on the chart indicates class E and the frequency is indicated as a CTAF. After a year, the airspace will be properly promoted to Class D.

As always, check your NOTAMs before each flight and blue skies and tailwinds to you!

More details here.

We’ve had one table returned, so we’re still missing three.

If you know who has these table, please let Jim know.

Notice Number: NOTC7130

General aviation pilots can now prepare to fly under BasicMed without holding a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) medical certificate as long as they meet certain requirements. They can fly under BasicMed beginning on May 1, the effective date of the January 10 final rule. It offers pilots an alternative to the FAA’s medical qualification process for third class medical certificates, while keeping general aviation pilots safe and flying affordable.

General aviation pilots may take advantage of the regulatory relief in the BasicMed rule or opt to continue to use their FAA medical certificate. Under BasicMed, a pilot will be required to complete a medical education course every two years, undergo a medical examination every four years, and comply with aircraft and operating restrictions. For example, pilots using BasicMed cannot operate an aircraft with more than six people onboard and the aircraft must not weigh more than 6,000 pounds.

A pilot flying under the BasicMed rule must:

• possess a valid driver’s license;
• consent to a National Driver Register check;
• have held a medical certificate that was valid at any time after July 15, 2006;
• have not had the most recently held medical certificate revoked, suspended, or withdrawn;
• have not had the most recent application for airman medical certification completed and denied;
• have taken a BasicMed online medical education course within the past 24 calendar months;
• have completed a comprehensive medical examination with any state-licensed physician within the past 48 months;
• have been found eligible for special issuance of a medical certificate for certain specified mental health, neurological, or cardiovascular conditions, when applicable; and
• not fly for compensation or hire.

Pilots can read and print the Comprehensive Medical Examination Checklist and learn about online BasicMed online medical courses at www.faa.gov/go/BasicMed

We had ‘standing room only’ at our last member meeting, because someone borrowed 4 of our folding tables.

Our inventory of assets lists 9 tables. there are 5 in the hangar.

If you know who has these table, please let Jim know.

In a Safety Alert for Operators (SAFO) bulletin issued January 29, 2017, the FAA is calling for all pilots and flightcrew operating near the boundaries of Class B airspace to exercise caution and be aware of the risk of excursions out of and incursions into Class B airspace. According to the SAFO, all pilots and flightcrew should utilize published resources to become familiar with the vertical and lateral boundaries of Class B airspace they may be operating in or near. For more information, see the entire SAFO here.