While some of us thought it might never happen, summer is finally here and with the warm weather comes airport construction. Before the snow melted I asked Kyle Wanner, airport planner for the North Dakota Aeronautics Commission, for an update on airport construction that was planned for around the state. Below is the list of projects he provided. This list is dependent on funding of course, but the main point is that there is a lot of airport construction planned around North Dakota this summer. So make sure to check NOTAMs before every flight!

2013 Major Upcoming Projects

Bowman Airport – the new airport will complete the Grading of the Runway, Taxiway, Apron and Access Road over the spring of 2013 and it is planned that before the Fall of 2013’s end that the new airport will also be paved, but this is pending FAA funds.  Plan is still for a Summer/Fall 2014 grand opening.

Crosby – New Lights/PAPI’s for the airport and a rehabilitation project for a portion of the apron.

Langdon/Rugby – Apron Rehabilitation

Devils Lake – Extend Runway 13/31 to 6500 feet and Relocate NAVAIDS and Road to facilitate the extension.

Gwinner – Reconstruct Runway 16/34, widen runway and shift for FAA standards.

Kenmare, Oaks, Ellendale – Runway Rehabilitation is planned pending FAA funds

Mandan – Runway Reconstruction/ new lighting system/ re-alignment of taxiways

Minot – Reconstruct Taxiway C Phase 2, Construct Taxiway D

Stanley – Rehabilitate Runway 9/27

Apparently some people still haven’t gotten the message that paper certificates need to be replaced with plastic.  The FAA Safety Team just released the following message reminding pilots and mechanics with paper certificates to replace them or lose their privileges.  If you still have a paper pilot or mechanic certificate please read the message below carefully and take action now!

Paper Pilot Certificates
Notice Number: NOTC4466

If you have already replaced your paper pilot certificate, then this message is not for you. On the other hand, if your pilot certificate is still printed on paper, please read carefully.

The FAA is under a mandate to replace all paper certificates with plastic certificates. In fact, paper pilot certificates have already expired!

If you are a mechanic, on the other hand, and do not replace your paper certificate on or before March 31, 2013, you will no longer be able to exercise your privileges!

All certificated Airmen, including mechanics, repairmen, pilots, etc., are required to replace their paper copy with a plastic copy, or they will no longer be able to exercise the privileges of that certificate.

The best way to get a new replacement certificate is to follow the instructions at http://www.faa.gov/licenses_certificates/airmen_certification/certificate_replacement/.

The replacement cost is $2.00, unless you still have your Social Security Number on your certificate and you ask to have it removed.

Avoid the Rush! Apply today!

One of the goals we’ve had for NDPA for some time is to offer an annual scholarship to help someone learn to fly. After a lot of work and fundraising efforts, we are finally releasing the application for the first NDPA scholarship. This is a $500 scholarship towards the cost of obtaining a recreational, sport, or private pilots certificate.  The applications are due by January 31, 2013 and we hope to present the award at the Upper Midwest Aviation Symposium this March in Fargo.  Please help spread the word to those that are eligible to apply.  Applications can be downloaded by clicking here.

While we are very excited to make this scholarship available, we still have a long way to go. We hope to continue growing this scholarship to eventually cover the majority of the cost of a pilots certificate.  However, this takes funding. Thank you to those of you who have made a donation to get this scholarship started. If you have not given yet, please consider doing so to help the next generation of North Dakota pilots.  Click here to view our online donation page.

Lockheed Martin Flight Services has finally opened up their Pilot Web Portal online. This system allows pilots to register on their website and obtain weather briefings and file flight plans without having to speak to a briefer. When pilots login they see the same information that is available to briefers including weather and NOTAMS.

One of the benefits on using the Pilot Web Portal is the Adverse Condition Alerting Service. This service, once a pilot opts-in, sends text or email alerts to pilots if any critical information about the flight has changed after a standard briefing has already been obtained. More details about the service are available on the Lockheed Martin Flight Services website.

I registered and gave the system a try. The briefing section is not as user friendly as other sites in my opinion. However, filing a flight plan seems easy and the ability to get alerts if something changes could be a life saver. Just make sure to take the time to go through all of the tabs in the “Account Preferences” page to make sure you get the alerts.

I think one of the most useful features is under the “Tools” tab, then “Contractions.” This brings up a page that allows users to enter any contraction from a weather product or NOTAM to find out its meaning. Not sure what PAEW means in that NOTAM for your destination? Type it in on this page and you’ll see it means personnel and equipment working.

This new Pilot Web Portal from Lockheed Martin is just one more tool for pilots to use to file flight plans and get weather information. The service is free so take some time to check it out.

Even though it’s getting cool in the evenings, winter isn’t here yet!  There are still plenty of opportunities to get out and fly before the snow flies.  One opportunity is this weekend.  The ND Aeronautics Commission is hosting a Fly-In/Camp-Out at the Garrision Dam Recreational Airpark (37N).  Fly or drive in Friday after work and enjoy an evening of campfire and (mostly true) flying stories.  Click here for more details.  And, as always, don’t forget to be collecting your Passport stamps along the way.