SUPER COMPUTER OFFERS BETTER FORECASTS  (from AVWEB)
We can look forward to more accurate, longer-range weather forecasting if the National Weather Service's new computer system lives up to its billing. IBM has clustered 44 servers together to create a byte-crunching monster that can do 7.3 trillion calculations per second. Its ultimate capacity is expected to be 100 trillion calculations per second by 2009. All that math adds up to a system that can take weather measurements from all over the world and project them forward to forecast conditions hours and days ahead. And, whether you get your weather from DUATS or over your cellphone in the cockpit, it should mean a better, more accurate picture. More...

AT LONG LAST, FAA PROVIDES GRAPHICAL TFRs ONLINE
AOPA's two-year-long struggle to have the FAA make official, valid graphical depictions of temporary flight restrictions (TFRs) available to pilots finally saw results last Sunday. The FAA launched its graphical TFR Web site, giving pilots for the first time government-issued information that shows what airspace is restricted. "It's taken pressure from AOPA, FAA Administrator Marion Blakey, her predecessor Jane Garvey, two congressional mandates, and an investigation by the Department of Transportation's inspector general, but pilots finally have a twenty-first century tool that can really help them stay out of restricted airspace," said Andy Cebula, an AOPA senior vice president. AOPA felt so strongly about the need for graphical TFRs that the association has worked with Jeppesen to provide them on AOPA Online since November 2001. However, AOPA felt the issuance of graphical TFRs, like other notams, is a function that should be performed by the FAA. For more, see AOPA Online.

THOUSANDS OF PILOTS NOW KNOW BEFORE THEY GO
In less than a month, more than 2,000 pilots successfully completed the AOPA Air Safety Foundation's new online course on airspace changes. The course, which debuted on May 30, provides up-to-date information to help pilots cope with the plethora of different kinds of restricted airspace that have become common since September 11, 2001. Called Know Before You Go, the fast-paced, fully interactive ASF program is free. Pilots who successfully complete the course qualify for a graduation certificate and may use that certificate for FAA Wings program credit. The ASF course takes about 20 minutes to complete, and includes an option for an in-depth review of traditional airspace divisions. See the ASF Web site.

LOCAL PLANNER

Wed July 2nd  Big bend Flying Club WInston Scott will present NASA's latest findings about the Columbia Breakup We will  meet at Flightline's new conference room (at the old terminal, were Eagle Air used to be) for  Winston's presentation. Tables will be set up so if you want to eat, you can stop at your favorite fast food joint on the way and bring your own food/drink to the meeting around 6:30PM.  The meeting will start around 7:00PM. Please reply if you plan to attend so we can have enough chairs for everyone.(This is a large room so space should not be a problem) Tuesday July 8th  EAA445 Meeting 6:30PM @ Flightlines Conference room in the old terminal. Colonel Harry Harper (retired) will speak on the subject: "My adventures as the pilot for three presidents" -fly with Col. Harper as he kibitzes about his air-adventures and personal observations of three presidents: Kennedy, Nixon, and Johnson   Wed Aug 6th Place Big Bend Flying Club Meeting ,7:00pm@Julies Place on N. monroe St.  The ASC will present a Safety Seminar. , Bill Humbert and Ron Fisher will be our speakers..   For an Updated listing of events all over Florida, click here

Lighter Side

SINGLE BLACK FEMALE seeks male companionship, ethnicity unimportant. I'm a very good looking girl who LOVES to play. I love long walks in the woods, riding in your pickup truck, hunting, camping and fishing trips, cozy winter nights lying by the fire. Candlelight dinners will have me eating out of your hand. Rub me the right way and watch me respond. I'll be at the front door when you get home from work, wearing only what nature gave me. Kiss me and I'm yours. Call (404) 875-6420 and ask for Daisy.

Over 15,000 men found themselves talking to the Atlanta Humane Society about an 8-week old black Labrador retriever.