September is upon us and it’s still hot here in Arizona, but I’m optimistic that we will start to see some cooler weather soon. I know everyone is looking forward to the fall flying season and the return of the APA Grapevine (88AZ) Fly-Ins that will start up in October and run through next April on the third Saturday of the month (with a couple of exceptions, see the calendar for exact dates). The Grapevine weekends are always well-attended and great opportunities to spend time with old friends and make some new ones. You may have seen Leanne Tawoda’s call for Grapevine host volunteers in your email inbox. If you are interested in hosting a weekend, reach out to Leanne at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
I also wanted to highlight an issue that Jim Timm covers in his Executive Directors report related to proposed changes by the Air Force to the Special Use Airspace (MOA’s and Restricted Areas) in Arizona. This proposal covers a broad expansion of the fifteen MOAs and Restricted areas in Arizona to include:
- Expand the operating hours for the majority of the MOAs to 0600 – 2200 or 0000 Monday – Friday and other times by NOTAM.
- Lower the floor of the Tombstone MOAs to 100 feet AGL and the Outlaw, Jackal, Gladden and Bagdad MOA’s to 500 feet AGL.
- Authorize the use of chaff in the Tombstone MOAs.
- Adjust the minimum flare release altitude to 2,000 feet AGL in the Tombstone, Outlaw, Jackal, Gladden and Bagdad MOAs.
- Authorize supersonic flight down to 5,000 feet AGL in the Tombstone, Outlaw, Jackal, Morenci, and Reserve MOAs.
These changes will impact both IFR and VFR operations in these MOA’s when they are active. Jim includes a link to the full Air Force document in his report. It’s a lot to digest, but I’d recommend you take the opportunity to review it since there’s a better than even chance that you will be flying in or around one or more of these MOAs. These proposed changes have obvious flight safety implications based on the volume of GA traffic in Arizona, and APA will be submitting comments prior to the October 9, 2024, deadline.
In closing, I’d like to remind everyone that the 2024 APA Scholarship application cycle is open. Applications are due October 31, 2024. If you or someone you know is interested in applying, you can go to the application link on our website - https://azpilots.org/pilot-info/scholarship-program. Don’t hesitate to reach out to the Scholarship team if you have any questions at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Chris