Jim Timm

Jim Timm, Executive Director

The flying weather is great and I hope everyone has been able to take advantage of it and go to one of the fly-in breakfasts or fly off to your favorite airport restaurant

The Phoenix TRACON has issued a Letter To Airmen outlining recommendations to minimize flight conflicts between transiting general aviation aircraft and air carrier aircraft operating out of Williams Gateway Airport (IWA). These recommendations had been coordinated with several of the flight schools operating in the area and after an initial test period, appeared to provide the desired level of safety.

After a trial period of several months, the FAA and the working committee will re examine the issue to verify that the recommendations contained in the letter are adequately addressing the problem of flight conflicts between air carrier and general aviation aircraft. Hopefully, regulatory changes will not be needed in the near future. for the proverbial “$100” hamburger lunch.

By now, everyone should have received their notice in the mail from the Arizona Department of Transportation for their 2012 aircraft registration and have registered their aircraft. Just a reminder, you will be getting back a registration sticker similar in size to the one that is issued for your car license plate and we no longer will be asked to stick these on the tail of the airplane. They can be placed in a visible location when the canopy, door or hatch is opened. The tag only, could be simply be placed in with the Aircraft Airworthiness Certificate which is supposed to be in a visible location.

In the way of aircraft registration, remember, in July of 2010, the FAA published a final rule that established FAA registration expiration dates over a three year period for all civil aircraft registered before October 1, 2010 and requires re-registration of those aircraft according to a specific schedule. Information on your aircraft and an FAQ and the complete re-registration schedule can be found at FAA website.

In the way of miscellaneous notes:

The “Aviation Day At The Capitol” event, on January 18, 2012, was a success. The weather was excellent and the legislative turnout was good. The event was intended to gather the state legislators together informally and inform them and impress on them the economic importance of general aviation and the airports in their district. Many contacts were made, and hopefully, the event may have been successful in impressing on them, the importance of keeping the State Aviation Fund intact in order to maintain our aviation infrastructure.

APA Director, Fred Gibbs and his steering committee are continuing to move forward with the planning of the General Aviation Accident Reduction and Mitigation Symposium (GAARMS). The program is being planned for March 14 & 15 of 2012 at the Mesa Public Safety Facility near Falcon field. Be sure to put the date on your calendar. [ED: See more about GAARMS elsewhere in this newsletter.]

Some time around the end of February, there are numerous airport construction projects that will be taking place at Prescott Municipal Airport (PRC). Be sure to check NOTAMS before flying in to avoid any surprises.

Prescott tower is having a clearance delivery frequency installed in January and the frequency is 119.25. There will be a NOTAM generated when the frequency becomes usable for ATC. The clearance delivery will reduce frequency congestion on the ground control frequency and allow the ground controller to focus on the movement of aircraft and vehicles, thereby increasing safety and reducing delays. After getting the ATIS information, be prepared to contact clearance delivery before calling for taxi.

Mesa Falcon Field (FFZ) has the south runway closed for reconfiguration of the mid-field taxiway.

Phase I of the project will include replacement of the present mid-field taxiway with angled taxiway exits and installation of elevated runway guard lights. Construction may take eight weeks, started January 9 and should be completed by March 2, 2012.

Coolidge Municipal Airport (P08) has an AWOS operating in test mode at the present time on a frequency of 119.35. It is also available by phone at 520-723-4920. It is functioning accurately and should be “officially on line” soon.

Glendale Municipal Airport (GEU) has a new restaurant, Left Seat West, operating in the terminal. Another possible location to fly in for breakfast or lunch.

We are continuing to work with airports around the state in the process of updating their Airport Master Plans by providing the general aviation user input in the planning process.

Since my last report to you, the NTSB has reported two aviation accidents in Arizona. One had serious injuries and the other did not have injuries reported. Fortunately, this is an improvement over the two previous reports that contained far too many fatalities. The accident summaries are contained in my February Accident Report for your review.

Places to fly for breakfast on the weekend:

The first Saturday of the month is the Coolidge Airport Fly-In Breakfast. The Coolidge event is put on by a Community Service Group to raise funds.

‘Till next time, please fly safely.

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