By Jim Timm

May 2016

Fortunately, we are still enjoying the reasonably good flying weather, and I hope you are able to get out and enjoy flying to one of the fly in breakfasts or just flying around enjoying the freedom of flight. Whatever the case, be safe, have fun, and plan on attending the annual APA meeting at the Falcon Field EAA Warbirds Hangar on Saturday, May 7th, from noon to 2pm.

Perhaps, by now, many of you have heard the good news that the US Senate passed an FAA reauthorization bill on April 19 by a 95 to 3 vote, and fortunately the bill encompasses many issues that we have been fighting very hard for. Some of the major points are, under the Senate bill, most pilots who have had a regular or special issuance third class medical certificate within 10 years of enactment will never need to see an aviation medical examiner again. Pilots would need to see a personal physician every four years, make note of the visit in their logbook, and keep a form signed by the doctor in their logbook following the examination. Additionally, should a pilot develop certain specific cardiac, mental health, or neurological conditions, they will only have to get an FAA special issuance medical once. The legislation would give pilots greater latitude than what we had earlier requested, by allowing them to fly aircraft up to 6,000 pounds and carry up to five passengers at altitudes below 18,000 feet and speeds up to 250 knots. The reauthorization legislation does not include user fees for GA, nor does it privatize air traffic control. A requirement was added that FAA provide ATC and safety support to aviation events without fees, taxes, or other charges. An amendment was also made that would guarantee that the active construction, restoration, or repair of a personal-use aircraft is a protected aeronautical activity in airport hangars under FAA grant assurances.

The FAA is currently operating under an extension through July. With the Senate bill now passed, the House will have to move swiftly to consider the Senate measure or adopt its own bill in order for FAA reauthorization to become law by the July deadline. The legislation would authorize spending for the FAA and its programs through September 2017. 

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS

We have had considerable discussion, expressing concern over the operation of drones in airspace that we normally fly. I recently saw something that made me realize that we aren’t the only ones with somewhat similar concerns. This may be the tip of an iceberg, and visible only because these concerned agencies must openly invite bids. With increasing frequency, U.S. federal agencies are releasing requests for information or proposals for systems to counter the perceived threat by the proliferating numbers of small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). Specifically, the Federal Bureau of Prisons is seeking information on systems able to prevent the smuggling of contraband into jails and prisons by a UAS. Perhaps we need to monitor this and see what they decide, and what could be applicable to the aviation concerns.

Those planning on going to the EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh this summer are going to have the opportunity to see a very rare airplane, a gigantic Martin Mars Seaplane. In its first trip to Wisconsin, the massive airplane will be parked near the EAA Seaplane Base on Lake Winnebago, just a few miles east of the main fly-in grounds. It will also fly several demonstrations throughout the week during the daily afternoon air shows. The Martin Mars, the largest flying boat ever flown operationally on a regular basis, has a height of 38 feet, a length of 120 feet, and a wingspan of 200 feet (approximately the wingspan of a Boeing 747). Only six of the massive aircraft were built, with Coulson Flying Tankers of Port Alberni, British Columbia, owning the two remaining examples, and uses them as water bombers on forest fires throughout the western United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Be aware, there is still a significant amount of airport construction activity still going on in the Phoenix and Tucson areas, and around the state. Be sure to check for NOTAMs before taking off for another airport so you don’t encounter a nasty surprise when you get there. 

Speaking of construction, the Scottsdale Airport GA terminal area is scheduled for redevelopment. The existing terminal and aviation business center are going to be demolished and replaced with two large executive-type hangar facilities and a new aviation business center. A new restaurant is planned as part of the new aviation center. Construction is anticipated to begin in February of 2017.

The May accident reporting period, while not being too bad in the number of accidents, it certainly could have been better. Fortunately there were only four accidents reported by the NTSB, and unfortunately, of the four reported, only one contained accident details. The good news is that there were no fatalities, and apparently none of the accidents involved serious injuries, if any. Also included in this month’s accident summary are two accidents that were not reported by the NTSB and probably won’t be because there were no injuries and probably no major structural damage, and therefore may be classified as incidents. These incidents, while costly, could have been serious and probably could have been avoided. See my May Accident Summary for details, and please fly carefully.

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. An update of the Sedona Airport (SED), Deer Valley Airport (DVT), and Grand Canyon Airport (GCN) master plans are currently in process.

THINGS TO DO - PLACES TO GO FOR BREAKFAST:

• The first Saturday of the month fly in breakfast is at Coolidge Municipal Airport (P08).
• The second Saturday of the month, Ryan Field (RYN) fly in buffet breakfast should have restarted. However, breakfast is available at the restaurant next door.
• The Falcon Field EAA Warbirds Squadron fly in breakfast and car show is on the third Saturday.
• The third Saturday of the month there is a fly in breakfast at Benson (E95) at Southwest Aviation.
• (There are special fuel prices for breakfast attendees.)
• Also on the third Saturday, around noon, a donation lunch is served by the APA at the USFS Grapevine Airstrip next to Roosevelt Lake.
• The last Saturday of the month there is still a fly in breakfast at Casa Grande Municipal Airport (CGZ).
• The Airport’s restaurant, Foxtrot Cafe, operating in the Terminal Building, is open
• 6:30am to 2:00pm Monday thru Saturday. On the last Saturday of the month they have a “Fly inBreakfast Special” available on the menu; the price for adults is $7 and kids $5.

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