Delegations from the Islands of the Bahamas, Canada and the United States will return to AirVenture this year to staff exhibits for the International Federal Partnership (IFP). IFP Chairman Greg Rolle says, "2012 will be a great year for federal personnel to showcase their aircraft, drones and equipment that support GA. I am proud to be part of this event as a member of the islands of the Bahamas."
The IFP, which is in its 22nd year of participation, is located in the Federal Pavilion, just west of the Homebuilders headquarters across Wittman Road. Exhibits will be both inside the building and surrounding the facility.
Also on tap for 2012 are live radar and weather monitoring, interactive displays that include two Wright Flyer simulators, a vintage Fairchild aircraft once operated the by U.S. National Park Service (NPS), and a LSA aircraft that is a frequent visitor to the Bahamas.
As in the past, many educational forums will be presented by the various government representatives. These forums include live demonstrations, interactive presentations and information regarding the various missions of each agency. Some of the forums will give attendees FAA "Wings" credit for attendance.
This year, the National Park Service will have two campfire programs a day on July 21 and 22 at the Youth area of Camp Scholler. They will also bring a new Tuskegee Airmen display to their portion of the building.
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection will feature K-9 demonstrations daily on the Federal Pavilion and fingerprinting for youth as part of their exhibit.
One of the most significant events of the week for the IFP is hosting EAA's Make-A-Wish Day on Saturday, marking the 19th consecutive year of providing a fun-filled day for these very special children and their families. The day will include a flight in EAA's Bell 47 helicopter, a flight in the EAA Ford Tri-Motor, flight in a LSA airplane, and numerous other exciting activities.
E-mail questions about the Federal Pavilion to chairman Greg Rolle, Bahamas Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), at grolle@bahamas.com or to the EAA Government Relations Department at govt@eaa.org.
Bahamas Customs / Civil Aviation Authority
At the Bahamas booth in the Federal Pavilion, the team led by IFP's Chairman Greg Rolle will answer your questions on the ease of flying across the Atlantic to the beautiful Islands of the Bahamas. Also, Bahamas Customs and Immigration Officers and Bahamas partner FBOs will again this year be joined in the booth by Mike Z, the Bahamas' LSA Flying Ambassador. Be sure to stop by our booth to chat with Mike Z about the LSA on display. Information will be available on everything you need to know to make your flight planning a very simple process, including flight procedures, weather, customs, security requirements, airport information, and NOTAMs. Visit us online at www.bahamas.com/flying and www.bahamasaviator.com, and friend us Facebook: www.facebook.com/Bahamaflying.
FAA Aeronautical Navigation Products supports pilots, air traffic controllers and aviation planners with a myriad of products and services to promote safe aeronautical navigation. AeroNavProducts develops and maintains the FAA's Instrument Flight Procedures (IFPs) including Performance Based Navigation Procedures to support the Nation's Next Generation Air Traffic Systems (NextGen). We compile and publish the FAA's IFR and VFR Aeronautical Chart Products to support civilian and military pilots and produce specialized aeronautical products to support terminal and en route ATC. The group also develops and maintains Digital Aeronautical Products to support pilot's Electronic Flight Bags and Flight Management Systems and produces specialized digital products to support ATC and airport and airspace planning. In addition, the organization sells and distributes FAA paper and digital aeronautical chart products worldwide through a network of authorized agents and sales outlets, as well as through direct e-commerce subscriptions and one-time sales. Website: www.aeronav.faa.gov
National Research Council Canada Institute for Aerospace Research (NRC Aerospace)
As Canada's national aerospace laboratory, the NRC Institute for Aerospace Research conducts R&D across the full spectrum of issues related to the design, manufacture, performance, use and safety of air and space vehicles. Within its Flight Research Laboratory, the engineering research staff specializes in airborne research and flight tests, explores flight mechanics and avionics technologies, and provides expertise in aircraft safety related systems and accident investigations. To carry out these studies, NRC Aerospace develops, maintains, and operates a small fleet of dedicated research aircraft that includes a Bell 412 Advanced Systems Research Aircraft, Bell 205 airborne simulator, Convair 580, Falcon 20, Twin Otter and Harvard Mark IV. Website: www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca
National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)
The NTSB is the United States government's voice for transportation safety. It investigates all civil aviation accidents in the United States, examines significant rail, marine, highway and pipeline accidents, determines the probable cause of each accident, and issues safety recommendations that, if followed, prevent similar accidents from happening again. Since its establishment in 1967, the NTSB has investigated more than 136,000 aviation accidents and thousands of surface transportation accidents. It has issued over 13,600 safety recommendations based upon its investigations and conclusions. An impressive 82.5 percent of the recommendations have been implemented. The NTSB is also responsible for maintaining the government's official census of civil aviation accidents and conducts special studies of transportation safety issues of national significance. In addition, the NTSB provides investigators to serve as U.S. accredited representatives, as specified in international treaties, for aviation accidents overseas involving U.S.-registered aircraft or involving aircraft or major components of U.S. manufacture.
During EAA Airventure, NTSB staff will be giving daily presentations at the Federal Pavilion stage and those in attendance can earn FAA WINGS credit. Also, the NTSB expects to publish the results of its study of the Safety of Experimental Amateur Built (E-AB) Aircraft by late Spring 2012. The study involved more detailed investigations of E-AB accidents than have been possible in the past. The study also analyzed the data from the EAA's survey of amateur builders and owners that was conducted July 2011. The NTSB will be holding a General Aviation Safety Forum and a Search and Rescue Forum in Washington, DC, this summer. The forums will include discussions amongst invited panelists and there will be an opportunity for questions from the audience. For additional information about the NTSB studies, upcoming forums and to access all of the NTSB accident reports, see our website at www.ntsb.gov
National Weather Service (NWS) - NOAA
View three continuous live Internet weather feeds from various locations around the country. Vintage and state-of-the-art weather observing instruments are displayed. NWS personnel will be on hand to demonstrate NWS products and answer your questions. The NWS provides early warnings of dangerous weather and aviation weather information to the FAA's Flight Service Stations (AFSS) and Air Route Traffic Control Centers (ARTCC), and Air Traffic Control Towers (ATCT) as part of its aviation weather support. Additionally, the NWS provides general weather, hydrological and climate forecasts and warnings for the United States, its territories, adjacent waters and ocean areas. Website: www.weather.gov
SeeAndAvoid.org
Originally created by the Air National Guard Aviation Safety Division, this portal is now funded by the Defense Safety Oversight Council and includes all military services. Our goal is to eliminate midair collisions and reduce close calls through continuous flight safety and proper flight planning. By promoting information exchange between civilian pilots and the military flight safety community, we hope to provide one-stop shopping to help all of us safely share the skies. This portal will allow users to find and link to all existing military Mid-Air Collision Avoidance (MACA) programs in a single website, while also enjoying new access to information from bases that did not previously have web-based content. Website: www.seeandavoid.org
Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
Created after the events of Sept. 11, 2001, the TSA is charged with protecting the Nation's transportation systems to ensure freedom of movement for people and commerce. The directorate for general aviation will have personnel on hand to discuss general aviation security measures for personnel, aircraft, airport facilities, surveillance, security plans and communication, which are covered in the TSA's recommended security guidelines for general aviation airports. Website: www.tsa.gov
U.S. Customs and Border Protection: Field Operations
Part of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the uniformed officers of this agency will be discussing the day-to-day operations of inspecting vehicles, cargo and people as they enter the United States at airports, seaports, and land border ports. They will once again be presenting information regarding general aviation clearance procedures, providing fingerprint cards of youngsters for parents as well as provide canine drug detector dog presentations. Officers will be on hand to explain current customs clearance procedures and answer questions. Website: www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/border_security/port_activities
U.S. Customs and Border Protection: Office of Air and Marine (OAM)
This integral component of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is charged with protecting the American people and critical infrastructure using an integrated and coordinated air and marine force to deter, interdict, and prevent acts of terrorism arising from unlawful movement of people and goods across the borders of the United States. Our booth, and aircraft will be staffed by OAM personnel ready to discuss OAM's three core missions: interdiction, law enforcement support and air domain security. Website: www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/border_security/air_marine
U.S. National Park Service (NPS)
Most people know that the NPS, created nearly 100 years ago, cares for a network of almost 400 natural, cultural and recreational sites across the nation. The treasures in this system - the first of its kind in the world - have been set aside by the American people to preserve, protect and share the legacies of this land. The NPS operates a broad range of airplanes and helicopters, flying approximately 20,000 hours annually in support of the system. Throughout the week of AirVenture 2012, NPS employees and volunteers will answer questions and present forums regarding aviation heritage at sites like the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park and Wright Brothers National Memorial. They will also address concerns about access to the NPS system by land or air and provide advisory information for people flying near high-risk wildland fire areas. We hope to see you soon in a national park and invite you to Experience Your America. Website: www.nps.gov
Wisconsin Air National Guard at Volk Field
The WI ANG is responsible for managing several pieces of military Special Use Airspace (SUA) areas, including restricted and military operations areas. Volk Field ANG personnel will be on hand to discuss military Special Use Airspace in Wisconsin and the Guard's innovative procedures to ensure both military and civilian users of this limited airspace resource can accomplish their diverse missions. Their display will include real-time radar displays of the aircraft traffic in the state of Wisconsin during AirVenture. The WI ANG at Volk Field welcomes any comments or queries on services provided at 1-800-972-8673. When flying through central Wisconsin, contact Volk Approach Control on 135.25 for flight advisories. In addition to the real-time displays, an RQ-7 Shadow 200 unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) will be on interactive static display. Website: www.volkfield.ang.af.mil
FUTURE AIRVENTURE
DATES: 2014: July 28-Aug. 3;
2015: July 27-Aug. 2
