By Jim Timm
June 2015
We had the Annual APA meeting on May 23 at the CAE flight school facility and it was good to see many of you that were able to attend. CAE was a very gracious host and provided excellent accommodations for which we want to thank them. Summer is officially here and the warm (hot) weather will soon be on us. When traveling this summer, watch the density altitude when flying and be safe.
Drone, UAV, UAS, RPA or what ever you want to call them, the unmanned aircraft are rapidly coming on the scene and we as pilots are going to have to safely deal with them, like it or not. In trying to safely integrate them into the National Airspace System, the FAA established six Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) defined test sites around the nation to accomplish this goal. The FAA has recently made it simpler for the six test sites to conduct research by giving them “blanket” authorizations to fly aircraft operations throughout the National Airspace System at or below 200 feet at defined speeds and weight. The FAA said they expect this expanded access for the test sites will provide more opportunities for research that may help them to safely integrate RPAs into the nation’s airspace more quickly and safely. All the sites will be operating under a single certificate of waver or authorization (COA). The new authorizations will let the test sites fly various types of RPA under a single COA making it easier for them to conduct the research missions. Previously, the FAA required an authorization for each type of RPA the operators wanted to fly. Initially, the FAA also required an RPA operator to hold private pilot and third class medical certificates. Under the COA, the FAA will now permit people who hold a recreational or sport pilot certificate and valid drivers license as a medical certificate to conduct test site operations. Here’s hoping everyone will play by the rules because GEU recently reported an airplane encountering an RPA at 400 feet close to the airport. We don’t need to have any close encounters of the wrong kind.
MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS
We just recently learned that the June 1 thru June 13 annual Air Combat Command Exercise ANGEL THUNDER, with it’s Roosevelt Lake Temporary Military Operations Area (TMOA) located over Roosevelt Lake and parts of the Tonto National Forest, including Grapevine Airstrip have been significantly revised. We have been advised that the Grapevine air strip will not be used this year and it is possible the temporary MOA may not be activated. Check NOTAMS before flying in the area from June 1-13.
If you have an airplane or Ultra Light with a ballistic parachute system and you remove or replace the ballistic system, be sure to properly disarm it or make it safe to handle when setting it aside. We are beginning to hear of cases where people are becoming seriously injured when handling these systems and they are unaware of what they are or the risks of improper handling and accidentally setting one off.
Commercial operations for LSA ??? There are reports that the FAA may be exploring the possibility of allowing some fly-for-hire operations using Light Sport Aircraft. The FAA has approached the Light Aircraft Manufacturers Association, and the U.S. Ultralight Aircraft Association to explore the idea of using little airplanes for commercial uses where appropriate. There are plenty of things that LSAs and ultralights can do better and cheaper than other aircraft and the groups are now coming up with a list of them for the FAA. If and when the idea will move forward or what form it might take will be interesting, but the groups will provide the information on "aerial work" as it is known in Europe.
At the last FAA Airspace Users Work Group it was announced that the Cottonwood Municipal Airport (P52) is getting two GPS approaches.
The PHX TRACON has reported there are changes being made on the Phoenix Sectional chart in the Class E airspace in northern Arizona near Flagstaff, Prescott and a pending change for Cottonwood.
When the the state legislature came up with a new budget this year, and they swept $15 million from our state aviation fund to help balance the budget, we were concerned what the impact might be. Well, the latest information from ADOT Aviation is that this has resulted in the dropping of nine projects at seven airports around the state. So, if a taxiway or runway at your airport needs repairs and it’s not getting repaired, now you know why. Tell your legislator we need to have the funds returned to the aviation fund.
Regarding aviation safety and aviation accidents, the year 2015 started out on the right foot, took a momentary dip and this last reporting period there was only one accident, which, unfortunately, was fatal for the pilot. So far this year we have only recorded 12 general aviation accidents, and last year at this time, we had recorded 21 accidents. I hope we can keep this trend continuing. Please continue to fly safe and see my June accident report for more details.
Remember, there is still a lot of airport construction going on around the state, and in particular, the Phoenix area this summer, so be sure to check for NOTAMS before departing so you don’t have a nasty surprise upon your arrival at your destination. And also, don’t forget to check for TFRs!
APA is still working with various airports around the state, providing the pilot and aircraft owner perspective in the process of updating their Airport Master Plans. The Deer Valley Airport (DVT) master plan update is still in process.
THINGS TO DO - PLACES TO GO FOR BREAKFAST:
The first Saturday of the month fly in breakfast at Coolidge Municipal Airport (P08) has stopped and will resume in October.
The second Saturday of the month, Ryan Field (RYN) fly in buffet breakfast has also stopped for the summer. Breakfast is still available at the restaurant next door.
The Falcon EAA Warbirds Squadron Breakfast on the third Saturday of the month at FFZ has ceased for the summer and is anticipated to resume in October.
The third Saturday of the month there is a fly in breakfast at Benson (E95) at Southwest Aviation. (Often there have been very special fuel prices for breakfast attendees.)
The last Saturday of the month there is still a fly in breakfast at Casa Grande Municipal Airport (CGZ). The Airport has a new restaurant, Foxtrot Caf’e, operating in the Terminal Building. On the last Saturday of the month they will be having a “fly in breakfast special” on the menu. The rest of the week, Monday thru Saturday, the restaurant is open from 6:30 to 2:00 PM. I’ve heard some favorable pilot reviews, so give it a try.
Check the APA Calendar for our Getaway Flights program for weekend places to fly.