The days and evenings have been cool lately, and the aircraft performance, and hopefully the pilot performance, have been significantly improved. In the morning when I take-off I find that I have been two to four hundred feet higher now when I pass over the airport boundary, and the flight is usually very smooth. It’s a wonderful time of the year for flying. For this desert rat, I don’t think I could take the weather as cold as our fellow pilots encounter in the northern parts of the country or the mountains. The temperature we have now is about my limit.
When you venture into the cooler temperatures, even with the temperatures here, please remember, if you have parked outside and you have frost on your wings, remove it before you try to fly. A light frost on the wing can significantly reduce the efficiency of the wing’s airfoil to generate lift. DO NOT try to use water to remove it. It will only freeze, turning the airplane into an ice sculpture incapable of flight. Also, the water may get into the ailerons and freeze, resulting in an imbalance, and possibly result in a destructive inflight flutter. Other than a heated hangar, turn the aircraft to have the sun directly impact the back of the airplane and melt the frost. If you are in the higher elevations overnight, and have a snow accumulation on the wings and tail, remove it before attempting flight. Don’t expect the snow to blow off during the takeoff run. It may not, and besides, there may be ice under the snow. Please fly safely!
MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS
FAA
The FAA has recently released data from the year 2022 regarding flight activity at the top 100 airports in the nation. I found it interesting to see where some of our Arizona airports fit into this top 100 airport list.
| Listing | Airport | Operations in 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | ATL Atlanta Hartsfield | 729,967 |
| 11 | PHX Phoenix International | 449,103 |
| 18 | FFZ Mesa | 345,885 |
| 19 | VNY Van Nuys | 343,408 |
| 27 | PRC Prescott | 308,691 |
| 36 | DVT Phoenix Deer Valley | 282,820 |
| 70 | SDL Scottsdale | 177,219 |
| 98 | TUS Tucson International | 142,389 |
I thought it was interesting that Mesa’s Falcon Field is now the busiest general aviation airport in the nation. I would guess if students learning to fly at Falcon Field can cope with its traffic, they should be able to handle any other general aviation and many of the commercial airports in the world.
AIRSPACE
The next time you fly into Tucson International Airport (TUS) be aware that the Ground Control frequency has been changed. For many years it was 124.4, but now IT IS 120.025.
I’m certain that everyone is keenly aware that we are often operating in a relatively crowded airspace, but now having to be on the lookout for drones is an added challenge. I recently saw an article where a Cessna 172 collided with a drone at 400 feet AGL about a mile off the end of the runway the Cessna was intending to land on. The damage to the cowling was substantial, but the results would have been fatal if the impact was about two feet higher. Last month we reported on a Near Mid Air Collision between an Embraer Jet and a drone at Mesa Gateway Airport (IWA). It happened while the jet was landing and the drone passed over the wing and evasive action wasn’t able to be taken because it happened so quickly. Drones are out there and flying with us. Be aware and be on the alert for them, knowing they are small and hard to spot.
SAFETY
Fortunately, the number of pilot deviations were down a bit this month. Pilots need to listen carefully to ATC instructions and follow them, and if you can’t comply, tell ATC why you can’t. When flying in controlled airspace, pilots shouldn’t be creative, but talk to ATC first before they do something that differs from the instructions given. Always be aware of what type of airspace you are flying in, or may be about to enter, and know what may be expected of you. Always fly with care and forethought, and don’t commit a deviation.
In summary, the general aviation deviations this reporting period are:
| Five IFR Deviations | 3 Brashers |
| One Class Alpha Airspace Deviation | 1 Brasher |
| Two Class Bravo Airspace Deviations | 1 Brasher |
| Four Class Delta Airspace Deviations | 1 Brasher |
| One Air Traffic Control InstructionDeviation | No Brasher |
| One Runway Incursion | No Brasher |
| >One Surface Incident | N/A |
For the details of these deviations see my Pilot Deviations Report located elsewhere in this newsletter.
In this January reporting period aviation safety was not the best because the number of aircraft accidents and incidents were up from the previous report. While the accident numbers were up, there was a positive side to the report in that none of the accidents resulted in a fatality or an injury.
For the details of these accidents and incidents see my Accident/Incident Summary Report also located elsewhere in this newsletter.
The FAA has also given us a report of four Near Mid Air Collision (NMAC) incidents that had occurred in the December/January reporting period. A description of these incidents are in a NMAC Report located near the Accident/Incident and Pilot Deviation reports in this newsletter.
Members, please continue to send accident information to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with the date, location, aircraft make, and type, if anyone got hurt, and with as much detail as possible. Thank You.
CONSTRUCTION
This time of the year it seems like most of the airports around the state have construction and repair projects underway. Unfortunately, we don’t have any specific details of any one of the projects, but we would certainly suggest that you always check for NOTAMS at your destination airport so you won’t have any unpleasant surprises when you arrive at your destination.
APA is always working with airports around the state assisting with the updating of their Airport Master Plans by providing the pilot, and aircraft owner’s perspective in the process. Payson Airport had their initial Airport Master Plan Update meeting this last month and should complete the process by the end of the year.
THINGS TO DO - PLACES TO FLY FOR BREAKFAST:
The fly-in breakfast at Coolidge Municipal Airport (P08) is on the first Saturday of the month.
On the second Saturday, consider flying down to Ryan Field (RYN) near Tucson for breakfast or lunch at Ritchie’s Restaurant. They are open from 6 am to 2 pm to serve you.
The Falcon Field Warbirds Squadron fly-in breakfast is on the third weekend of the month.
The Grapevine group camp dinner on Saturday evening will be one week early, February 11th, as to not conflict with the Buckeye Air Fair the following weekend, February 17-19. Come and camp for the weekend! The camp host will prepare the main course, and campers, please bring a side dish or dessert to share.
On the last Saturday of the month a fly-in breakfast is continuing to be put on by the Casa Grande Masonic Lodge in the air-conditioned Terminal of the Casa Grande Airport. Apparently, the upgrading of the lunch area has yet to meet inspection requirements. Hopefully it won’t be too long before it can come online.
When you fly to any of these venues, be sure to look for the Fly Arizona Passport Placard at the restaurant, and at the airport terminal, and scan the placard with your smart phone to get credit on the passport program for being there.
Check with the APA Getaway Flights program and online calendar for fun weekend places to fly.