Flying out for the proverbial hundred-dollar breakfast has been working out fairly well, except for a couple of cases it had to be moved to I-hop because of the weather. Generally, it’s been great, and this is what we have been impatiently waiting for during this past hot summer. It’s been good to see and visit with some of the winter visitors that have joined us once again. Personally, I find it a bit hard to imagine that here we are enjoying the great smooth flying weather, and with all the aviation events happening while most of the aviation community in the northern part of the country is hunkered down for the session just trying to stay warm. So, let’s get out and go flying.

Have you re-registered your aircraft with the state for 2024? In the past we have received a reminder from ADOT Aeronautics in early December that our aircraft registration was coming due the first of the year, and we would get an invoice for what was due. Well, apparently all that has changed. The Aircraft Registration Unit in ADOT is no longer sending out those renewal notices, and apparently, it’s going to be up to you to remember when your aircraft registration is due and pay it. Talking with a number of fellow aircraft owners, apparently there is a real problem in trying to talk with anybody in the Aircraft Registration Unit. Presently there is only one person available to answer the phone number listed, and they may not always be available. However, there is a plan to hire additional personnel to alleviate the problem. In the meantime, there is also an attempt being made to determine if there is an alternate phone number that can be listed for registering aircraft.

In the way of clarifications:

• ·As of last year per ARS §28-8322.D.3.balloons only will no longer require registration.
• ·Decals are no longer required to be displayed on the aircraft. However, per ARS §28-8325your registration certificate must be kept in the aircraft at all times.
• ·There was a change in the assessment process last year in 2022 with the passage of House Bill 2871, and now per ARS § 28-8342. Registration fees are calculated using the fair market value of the aircraft.
• ·A letter was supposed to have been sent out this last fall that advised that you may request a change to your annual registration renewal month. If you didn’t get the letter, contact the Aircraft Registration Unit for a copy of the request letter. If you don’t request a specific renewal date, ADOT will randomly shift the renewal dates throughout the year. 
• ·Some renewals with December expiration dates have encountered a problem, so late fees will not be assessed for those renewals only.

For further information you can contact the Aircraft Registration unit at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. If all that fails contact: Amanda Kindle, Stakeholder Relations Manager 602-712-7557 office 480-901-6415 cell

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS

FAA

It would appear that this is a good way to start the year because so far it appears that all is quiet on the FAA front. I haven’t become aware of any new regulations coming down the pike that could impact our flying activity. I hope it stays this way for a while.

AIRSPACE

Remember, we are starting an election year, and because Arizona is supposed to be a swing state, the President is certain to show up along with his VIP TFR. Please be keenly aware that these VIP TFRs are administered by the Secret Service, NOT THE FAA, and that these TFR’s are indeed serious, and are administered by very serious individuals, and both need to be avoided.

For those that want to fly into Mexico you need to be aware that the Mexican Federal Civil Aviation Agency (AFAC) has established new entry procedures for all foreign aircraft entering the country starting January 1, 2024.

The new “Single Entry Authorization” (Autorización de Internación Única) is required for all foreign registered aircraft, and is valid for 180 days, and during that time the aircraft may enter and depart Mexico freely. Foreign registered aircraft currently in Mexico under the old single-entry permit may continue to operate but must not exceed the 180-day period allowed, and the permit will expire if the aircraft leaves the country.

Pilots are urged to request the new single-entry authorization two days before the aircraft arrives in Mexico. Each AFAC office at an international arrival point must request a permit number from the central AFAC headquarters in Mexico City; the authorization is not valid without that official permit number. Receipt of new authorizations may not be instantaneous, and it is unclear how aircraft continuing to other airports within Mexico or making a drop-off are likely to be handled, or if the aircraft will be allowed to leave before the permit number is received, or if they must remain at that airport is still unknown.

The documents required to request an authorization are the same as with the previous procedure:

• ·Airworthiness certificate.
• ·Registration certificate.
• ·Insurance policy.
• ·Pilot certificate.
• ·Medical certificate.

In addition, the AFAC also requires a Layout of Passenger Accommodations, which is similar to the aircraft diagrams normally found in the "Weight and Balance" section of the aircraft's pilot’s operating handbook or aircraft flight manual.

Because the details of how the Authorizations are to be requested, it is suggested that the pilot contact the Civil Aviation Authority at the airport they plan to use for the details. The cost of the authorization is about 2,182 pesos or about $128 in U.S. currency.

SAFETY

In this past reporting period aviation safety was relatively good, in that the number of accidents and incidents were very low. However, near the end of the reporting period, in late January, we did have a balloon accident that claimed the lives of four people. In the balance of the incidents reported there were no injuries reported. While this year didn’t start off like we would have liked, I hope we will be able to have a year with a very minimum number of fatalities or serious injuries. With this present reporting period we were able to close out last year with the following results.

For the year 2023:

There were 122 accidents/incidents reported.

These accidents/incidents involved 191 people.

There were:

170 Non injuries

 8 Minor injuries

 5 Serious injuries

 8 Fatalities

 5 Fatal accidents

 4 Arizona pilots were involved in these fatal accidents.

 For the details of the accidents/incidents in this past December - January reporting period see my Accident/Incident Summary Report located elsewhere in this newsletter. Please fly safely.

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, if anyone got hurt, and with as much detail as possible. Thank you.

It was again fortunate that in this past reporting period the FAA did not report any Near Mid Air Collisions. 

Fortunately, the number of pilot deviations came down from the last two past reporting periods. I hope it was because pilots were being more aware of where they were and what they were doing. If we could only figure out what is going on with the pilots that make these deviations, and why they do what they do... I still find it a bit surprising that we do not have higher accident numbers as a result of some of these deviations. These deviations are not being committed by marginal pilots. At least I would like to believe that. This month’s deviations were committed by pilots with certifications ranging from student through ATP. The problem isn’t just with Arizona pilots because this report of twenty incidents indicated eight of the pilots may have been from another states. In some of these cases, perhaps a distraction was the culprit, but the result is that they don’t seem to be aware of what type of airspace they are flying in, or maybe about to enter, or realize what is going to be required of them. Pilots need to listen very carefully to ATC instructions and follow them, and if they can’t comply, immediately tell the controller why they can’t comply. They need to be aware that when flying in controlled airspace, you should never try to be creative, but always first tell ATC before you do anything that may differ from instructions that were given. When on the ground, always pay attention to airport signs and runway markings, know what they mean, and comply with them. Please, always fly with forethought and caution.

In summary, the general aviation deviations this reporting period are:

4 IFR Deviations                              No Brashers

4 Class Bravo Airspace Deviations  3 Brashers

5 Class Delta Airspace Deviations   1 Brasher

1 Movement Area Deviation             1 Brasher

5 Runway Incursions                        3 Brashers

1 Pedestrian On Runway                  N/A

For the details of these deviations see my Pilot Deviations Report located elsewhere in this newsletter.

CONSTRUCTION

There are many airports around the state that have construction projects in progress, or they have projects that are being planned to start soon. Unfortunately, we don’t have specific details on all of these projects, but we certainly suggest that you always check for NOTAMS at your destination airport so you don’t have an unexpected surprise when you arrive.

APA is 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. Eloy has just started their Master Plan update process, and the Sierra Vista Municipal Airport will be starting their Master Plan Update process soon. The initial planning meeting has not yet been scheduled. The Airport Master Plan Update process usually takes about a year to complete.

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 of the month, consider flying down to Ryan Field (RYN) near Tucson for breakfast or lunch at Ritchie’s Restaurant. They are open daily from 6 am to 2 pm to serve you.

The Falcon Field Warbirds Squadron normally has had a fly-in breakfast on the third weekend of the month, but because of the storm damage at FFZ, and other complications the breakfasts have been temporally halted, and it is presently undetermined when they will be able to restart them. We will advise when we have new information.

Grapevine is open full time, and the third Saturday weekend camping, and cookouts have started. The camp host will prepare the main course, and campers, please bring a side dish or dessert to share. Grapevine, which lies within a National Forest, is heavily used by the Forest Service for fighting wildfires, and the Military for Special Training.

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.

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. Scan the placard with your smart phone from the app 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.

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