It’s getting to be a long and hot summer, and it’s a bit tiring. The early mornings are becoming tolerable, hinting of cooler times to come, but I can’t wait. When you get back from a Saturday morning breakfast, it’s still getting warm enough that you don’t want to get involved with anything that will keep you in the hangar or around the airplane for very long. No matter what, let’s still go flying.
Going to Oshkosh and EAA AirVenture is receding into the past, but looking back, there were a lot of aircraft there that were impressive to behold. Something there really stuck in my mind that didn’t directly have anything to do with aviation. It was a robot dog. A large aviation school had a robot dog running around waving at people, shaking hands, playing dead, and interacting with the people passing by. I wasn’t able to determine who was running it, but it was amazing, and I did manage to get a video of it. Did anyone else see it?
We have commented about The City of Cottonwood considering the implementation of landing fees to address a perceived problem of excessive air traffic at the airport. The city is presently in the midst of political turmoil and, based on communications from some of the city leaders, it appears that the issue of imposing landing fees may not be favorably considered at this time. Unfortunately, Vector Airport Systems, who produces a landing fee system, has proposed the landing fee system to many other airports in Arizona. We can only hope that none of these airports will give serious consideration to their proposal. If anyone out there is aware of a landing fee being considered for their airport, please advise APA immediately!
MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS
FAA
Fortunately, we haven’ t become aware of any regulation changes or proposals for changes from the FAA that would impact the general aviation community. APA will continue to be on alert for any changes that may occur and will keep you informed.
AIRSPACE
The USAF at Davis-Monthan has issued a Notice for Comment by October 9, 2024, on a Department of The Air Force Environmental Impact Statement for Special Use Airspace Optimization to Support Air Force Missions in Arizona. Generally, as a minimum, this proposal would involve the very significant lowering of the floors of the MOAs, dropping of flares at lower altitudes, and supersonic flight at lower altitudes in the MOAs. This same proposal was issued approximately two years ago, and the proposal was withdrawn based comments received from the public, we presume.
We are re-examining the proposal and will be preparing a response. The Air Force will be having public presentations around the state to inform the public of the details of the proposal. To view the Draft EIS go to: www.ArizonaRegionalAirspaceEIS.com
This website will provide the USAF EIS in its entirety and assist you in formulating your comments. APA will submit a general commentary on the proposal, but individual comments are certainly encouraged.
We want to continue to remind you that there is a significant increase in parachute activity throughout the state. This activity is mainly advanced tactical training of foreign personnel, and it may be occurring at any of the parachute sites throughout the state. Please be aware that some of this activity could be high altitude jumping with a high-altitude parachute opening, which could result in the parachutists descending through airspace far removed from the final landing site. Always be sure to check for NOTAMS for this activity along your proposed route of flight, and also monitor enroute facility frequencies for parachute activity.
SAFETY
In this past July-August reporting period, aviation safety has improved a bit because the number of accidents/incidents has gone down, and fortunately we didn’t have a fatality. In all the accidents reported, no one was injured, and I can only hope that this downward trend will continue. For the details of these accidents/incidents, see my Accident/Incident Summary Report located elsewhere 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, if anyone got hurt, and with as much detail as possible. Thank you.
It was also fortunate that in this past reporting period the FAA reported there were no Near Mid Air Collisions (NMAC’s) reported.
The number of pilot deviations were also lower in July-August. These deviations were committed by pilots with pilot certificates ranging from Student Pilot through ATP, and apparently there were also a few out of state pilots that committed some of the deviations. Some of the deviations were serious enough to warrant the issuance of a Brasher notice to the pilot. In so many of the cases it’s apparent the pilot is unaware of what type of airspace they flew into or were about to enter. Pilots need to listen 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 must always comply with ATC instructions, and always advise ATC first before you do anything that may differ from the instructions given. When on the ground, pay attention to all 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
4 Runway Incursions No Brashers
2 ATC Instructions No Brashers
2 TFR Deviation 1 Brasher
1 Restricted Airspace Deviation 1 Brasher
1 Surface Incident 1 Brasher
1 Vehicle/Person Deviation No Brasher
For all the details of these deviations, see my Pilot Deviations Report located later in this newsletter.
CONSTRUCTION
Mesa Falcon Field (FFZ) still has numerous taxiways being replaced, and one of the two runways may be closed from time to time. Be sure to get NOTAMS before your arrival. Other airports around the state have multiple construction projects in progress or projects that will be starting soon. Unfortunately, we don’t have the specific details of each projects, and we urge you to always check for NOTAMS at your destination airport, so you can avoid an unexpected surprise upon arrival.
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) was 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 had a fly-in breakfast on the third weekend of the month. Because of several complications the breakfasts had been halted, and presently it’s undetermined when or if they will restart in the fall. We will advise when we have new information.
Grapevine: Our first weekend camping and cookout of the season will be on October 18-20, so join us there!!! 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 and online calendar for fun weekend places to fly.