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NDPA and the RAF: A Great Partnership!

During the 2012 Upper Midwest Aviation Symposium the NDPA began forming a relationship with the Recreational Aviation Foundation, or RAF.  The RAF has been very active in Montana and we thought it might be valuable to partner with them here in North Dakota.  One of their primary missions is to establish and protect back country airstrips.  Brian Rau, the RAF’s North Dakota State Liaison, gave an update on two airstrips here in North Dakota.  Here is part of the information he had to share at UMAS:

Elkhorn Ranchlands Airstrip:  Up to this point we have been referring to this airstrip as the Ebert’s Ranch Airstrip, referring to the Eberts who were the last private owners of the property.  The current owners, The US Forest Service, refer to the property as the Elkhorn Ranchlands so I would like us to start using the same terminology.  As you recall from my presentation, this is a recent 2007 purchase by the Forest Service and has an existing grass airstrip that looks in fair condition.  The airstrip is located approximately 20 miles north of Medora.  The land use management plan has not been fully developed for this area, and we have a great opportunity to get Aviation Uses written into the plan.  I am on the email list for developments on this property and will forward to you any information as it becomes available.  If the information hits the media before I receive it, look for Elkhorn Ranchlands Plan Amendmentin the news article.   The following is an email statement from Ron Jablonski, the district ranger for that area:  “Elkhorn Ranchlands Plan Amendment is regaining some momentum, so it shouldn’t be too long before there’s something to comment on.”  When this opportunity is opened up, we will need comments from all of you.

Medora Airstrip:   A brief background for those who did not hear my presentation at the symposium:  In the past, there was an airstrip on the butte immediately north of Medora (between Medora and I-94.)  I and others would like to see that airstrip opened again.  It is situated partially on Forest Service land and partially on National Park Service land.  Anecdotal reports from some ND aviators who remember the airstrip 25 – 30 years ago indicate that it was closed mainly because of objections from the Park Service.  Our current efforts are going to be making official contacts with the Park Service and to also explore the feasibility (is it long enough) to have an airstrip just on the Forest Service portion.  Jeff Faught is out in that area often and has volunteered to help with making some contacts.  Any other help would be greatly appreciated.

We at NDPA look forward to growing our partnership with the RAF.  If you would like more information about the RAF visit their website at www.theraf.org.

Call for Help from Pilots: Give PIREPS

There are many weather reports and forecasts that pilots can use to try and determine what’s happening aloft.  But nothing is as useful and accurate as actual reports from other pilots.  Pilot reports (PIREPS) are always important, but there is a special call for them from the Aviation Weather Center.  Read the notice below and make sure to give PIREPS whenever you fly.  If you need a quick refresher on PIREPS, see Chapter 12 of the Aviation Weather Services book.

Late Night PIREPS: Request for assistance

Notice Number: NOTC3737

The Aviation Weather Center is calling for an extra effort on the part of pilots, controllers and dispatchers for PIREPS from 02-11 UTC each evening/night through Sep. 1, 2012, in support of research on low level turbulence. Here is more detail from their website:

Call for night-time PIREPs. The Aviation Weather Center is conducting research project on low level turbulence away from the influences of terrain and in the presence of stronger wind. The AWC is requesting Pilots, controllers, and dispatchers make an extra effort to provide PIREPs below 12,000 feet during the nighttime hours–primarily from 0200 UTC through 1100 UTC. The focus of this project runs across the central plains; from Texas to Canada, between the Rockies and the Ohio River Valley, but any nighttime PIREP is greatly appreciated. The project runs through September 1, 2012.

This Notice request brought to you by FAASTeam Representative Patrick Ayd / General Forecaster / National Weather Service / Bismarck, ND, and the Great Lakes Region FAASTeam.

A Terrible Hand, But A Fun Time: The Bismarck Aero Center Poker Run

The CTAF frequencies were busy Saturday morning as many of us were flying around the area collecting playing cards for the Bismarck Aero Center’s Poker Run for Charity. The weather couldn’t have been better with clear skies and nearly calm wind as we set off from Bismarck. The route we chose took us on a short hop across the river to Mandan where we collected our first card.

We took off not too far behind Larry Buller in his homebuilt RV7A. Larry gave a great presentation on his experience building the airplane at the last Upper Midwest Aviation Symposium. We were both going to Beulah, but since we were flying a 172 Larry easily beat us there.

We were fourth in line for landing as we approached Beulah to get our second card. A quick discussion with an instructor and student who were also on the poker run and with Shawn Morten of Dakota Helicopter and we were off again enroute to Washburn.

We were surprised by the new terminal building at the Washburn airport. Once we figured out the code to get in the door we found a very nice facility that even had a shower room. This was an impressive upgrade since the last time we were there.

When we arrived back in Bismarck there were already a number of people waiting and more arrived after us. After a BBQ lunch and a lot of good conversation, the cards were turned and Denny Adams from Mandan ended up with the best hand. Congratulation Denny! We don’t know exactly how much money was raised for charity but based on the number of people there it must have been a nice amount.

The poker run was a great kickoff to the summer flying season. Check out a few of our photos by clicking here. And don’t forget to check the NDPA calendar to find more aviation events all around the state.

Fun Flying, Great Food and Help a Charity: Don’t Miss the Poker Run this Saturday!

We pilots are always look for a good excuse to pull the airplane out of the hangar and go fly. This Saturday there is a perfect reason to get out and fly.  The Bismarck Aero Center is hosting a Poker Run for Cancer event.  Here are the details.  Pilots must fly to at least 3 of the airports on the list and pick up an envelope with a playing card in it.  The envelopes will be in the FBO or terminal office.  Bring all three envelopes back to Bismarck by approximately 11:oo am.  Then pay $15 and receive a food ticket for an excellent BBQ lunch.  Proceeds go to Relay for Life.  At about noon the Bismarck Aero Center will lay out 3 more cards in a modified Texas Hold’em style.  The participant with the best 5 card hand will wind a $200 Scheels gift card.

The airports that will have the envelopes with playing cards are Linton (7L2), Beulah (95D), Washburn (5C8), Harvey (5H4), Napoleon (5B5) and Mandan (Y19).  Don’t forget to bring your ND Passport and collect your stamps at the same time! If you have questions about the event contact Mike Kadrmas at (701) 368-1391.

Fun flying, great food and a chance to help a charity.  What better excuse do we need to go fly!  Don’t forget to check our NDPA calendar for other events around the state.

The Future: FAA Releases NextGen Update

Those that have attended the Upper Midwest Aviation Symposium in the past or those that have been keeping up with future trends in aviation are familiar with the transition to NextGen, the overhaul of the national airspace system. The FAA has released an update to its NextGen Implementation Plan which gives an overview of the current status of the transition and a look towards the future.

The report points out that the FAA has been busy developing new instrument approach procedures based on NextGen technology. These are the WAAS approaches that use GPS to provide guidance to the runway similar to what an ILS provides. In 2011 the FAA published 354 of these approaches and they continue to develop more. A number of airports here in North Dakota are now benefiting from WAAS approaches.

ADS-B, the satellite based successor to radar, continues to expand its coverage area. The photo shows the current coverage area and the FAA states they will have full coverage by early 2014.

One paragraph, while vague, is particularly interesting. It states, “During the 2013-2015 time frame, we plan to develop and implement mechanisms to provide NAS users with information about the current and future status of Special Activity Airspace (airspace set aside for military training and other specialized use), enabling more efficient flight planning.”

While there is clearly a long way to go before NextGen is fully implemented it is clear that the FAA is making progress. It will not be long before NextGen is the reality of our national airspace system instead of the future. You can click here to read the full report and learn more about the NextGen system.