President's ReportNancyBenscoter

Nancy Benscoter, APA President

January has been a busy but a rewarding start to the New Year. After more than a year of APA’s coordinated backcountry efforts, fly-ins and collaborative team approach with the RAF (Recreational Aviation Foundation), we got the approval to renovate the over-growth on the Restricted Grapevine Airstrip. The APA extended this opportunity to help, both physically and monetarily, to all pilots & groups in order to demonstrate to the United States Forest Service (USFS) the interest in having this Restricted Grapevine Airstrip available for use. The interest and demonstration was resounding!

With over 40 people from a number of groups and a great start in funding the needed renovations, the USFS District Ranger was more than impressed! I want to point out that the Grapevine strip is STILL RESTRICTED and NOT open for General Aviation use at this time. It is of the utmost importance in our efforts to get this strip open to NOT burden the District Ranger or the USFS office with calls for it’s use or information. All communication for its use or information must go through our Arizona Liaison, Mark Spencer. Contact him at (520) 826-2112 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

In other news, the APA played an integral part in Aviation Day at the Capital. This important day stresses to our Arizona legislators the many facets that General Aviation provides to communities and the economic impact through Aviation here in Arizona.

Effective February 18th 2012 to February 17, 2014, A Letter to Airman NO. 12-01 has been issued for Air Traffic Operations in the Vicinity of Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport (IWA). Contact Mr. Curt Faulk at (602) 306-2514 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information. See the article below, Phoenix TRACON Letter to Airmen.

Saturday, February 4th is the Lake Mead Splash-in at Sandy Beach. This was once an event just for albatrosses, but now all types of seaplanes attend. Its an all day event with planes departing the valley around 8:30 am to arrive at Lake Mead by 10:00 am depart about 3-4pm. Lots of seaplane flying can be seen right from the beach as the planes play in the water. Bring a lunch or potluck item to share.

Saturday, February 11th is Lake Pleasant Seaplane day. The seaplanes arrive around 9am at the lake and do some water work/play for 30 minutes before going to the Restaurant for brunch. After brunch, they head back out to play for another 30 minutes if the water is smooth. This is a great opportunity to just get out and enjoy watching some seaplane activity as well as join them in the Restaurant for brunch, and talk some seaplane shop! Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with any questions.

Saturday, February 11th at the Pleasant Valley Glider Port just west of Deer Valley Airport, the APA is having a Backcountry Education & Event Day. You can practice your dirt landings and listen to Wayne Fisher talk about Mountain Flying tips. Watch a low level aerobatics performance by Sonny Weller and Tim Weber of GEICO. For more information contact Bernie Gross at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

March 2nd & 3rd is the Arizona Antique Airplane Associations Cactus fly-in. There, you will find antique airplanes & warbirds making their way to the Casa Grande Municipal airport from all over the Southwest. In addition to the airplane displays, there will be workshops and forums to attend. One of these forums is the very popular APA’s Southwest Backcountry Alliance forum at the Cactus Fly-in. Watch for more details on this forum as special speakers are being finalized now.

March 14th & 15th is the First Annual General Aviation Accident Reduction & Mitigation Symposium (GAARMS). The goal of GAARMS is to reduce the fatal accident rate in Arizona. The APA is eagerly seeking all pilots and the aviation industry to participate. Additionally, if you or your business would like to become a sponsor or donate a silent auction item, contact Fred Gibbs at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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