Unfortunately, things seem to have run totally amuck this month, and I’m totally behind the power curve. The weather, while not being the best, has generally been good enough on Saturdays, and the usual Saturday breakfast flights have been able to happen. The spring bug collection on the airplane can easily attest to that. There are a few things that I would like to cover, but they will have to wait until next month’s newsletter. So, in the meantime, let’s go flying anyway.
MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS
FAA
Fortunately, everything has been quiet from the FAA as far as general aviation is concerned. I have not been made aware of anything from the FAA as far as changes or proposed changes that would negatively impact us in the general aviation community. I hope this continues for a while.
Because of all the well thought out comments received, apparently the FAA is now planning on presenting their proposal on the MOSAIC issue at the 2025 EAA AirVenture Fly-In.
AIRSPACE
Because of the increased parachute drop activity, always check for NOTAMS for this activity along your proposed flight route and monitor enroute facility frequencies for parachute activity.
I’m not aware of any serious airspace changes that are happening or are being proposed, but APA will certainly will be watching for anything coming down the pike.
SAFETY
In this past reporting period, aviation safety has been a bit better because the number of accidents/incidents has been down, but unfortunately, we did have one fatality that occurred in one of the accidents. At least in all the other occurrences nobody got hurt. We can only hope things will improve as we go forward.
For the details of the accidents/incidents in this past March - April reporting period see my Accident/Incident Summary Report located elsewhere in this newsletter, and 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 was injured, and with as much detail as possible. Thank you.
It was also very fortunate that in this past reporting period the FAA didn’t report any Near Mid-Air Collisions (NMAC).
The number of pilot deviations was still up this last reporting period. These deviations were committed by pilots with pilot certificates ranging from Student Pilot through ATP, and apparently there were some out of state pilots that also committed some of these deviations. Some of the deviations were serious enough to warrant the issuance of a Brasher notice to the pilot. In many of the cases the pilot was evidently unaware of what type of airspace they were flying in or were about to enter, and what was being expected of them. Pilots must listen very carefully to ATC instructions, and follow them, and if they can’t comply, immediately tell the controller why they can’t comply. When flying in controlled airspace, pilots need to be aware that they should never be creative, but must first advise ATC before they do anything that may differ from the instructions given. When on the ground, pay attention to airport signs, and runway markings, and know what they mean, and comply with them.
In summary, the general aviation deviations this reporting period are as follows:
| 4 IFR Deviations | 2 Brashers | |
| 2 Class Bravo Airspace Deviations | No Brashers | |
| 6 Class Delta Airspace Deviations | 1 Brasher | |
| 2 ATC Instructions | 1 Brasher | |
| 11 Runway Incursions | 4 Brashers | |
| 2 TFR Violations | 2 Brashers | |
| 1 Wrong Surface landing | No Brashers | |
| 3 Surface Incidents | No Brashers |
For all the details of these deviations see my Pilot Deviations Report located elsewhere in this newsletter.
CONSTRUCTION
There are airports around the state that have construction projects in progress or have projects that will be starting soon. Unfortunately, we don’t have the specific details on all these projects, but we would urge you to 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. The Airport Master Plan Update process usually requires about a year for completion.
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 but ended in April. They will restart in the fall.
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 temporarily 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 ceased for summer. 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 to get credit on the passport program for being there.
Check with the APA Getaway Flights program, FlyAZ Passprt App, and our online calendar for fun weekend places to fly!