Just a bit more detail on updating turnpoint files. If you have an older, but beloved turnpoint file, it is easy to update it using information from the official FAA airport database. Here are the steps:

1. Go to http://www.soaringdata.info, and select the Airports tab. Follow the link to the US airports information form.
2. Upload your file (see line #2 on the form) and choose the dropdown menu selection to "Compute a bounding polygon".
3. Type "Soar" in the box on line #5 and hit the submit button to download your updated file!

Computing a "bounding polygon" means that your downloaded file will cover the same area as your input file. Soaringdata will:
- Find any new airports in that area and add them to the output file;
- Remove the airport attribute for any airports that have closed and no longer exist in the FAA database; and
- Update info such as communication frequencies, airport IDs, and runway lengths and widths for all the others.

Supported formats include CUP, DAT, STX, and NDB. You can also generate and download airspace files for your bounding area in OpenAir, TNP SUA, CUB, or NDB formats at the same time. Just check the appropriate boxes on line #4 of the form.

Again, all this is free, and freely redistributable.

Lynn Alley
"2KA"