I would like to think that summer is now in the rear-view mirror, and we can begin to look for days that are a bit cooler, the flying is a little bit more comfortable, and a bit smoother. Something I’ve noticed is that I didn’t pick up a lot of bugs. Are they still in hibernation from the heat, or maybe I am flying a bit higher lately. Anyway, it’s getting nicer out now so let’s go flying.
What I first thought was a local issue, turns out to be a national issue. It turns out that enterprising individuals are using ADS-B information to charge aircraft owners landing fees at airports that avail themselves to their service. A small airport that is operating at a loss, and is dependent on its sponsoring city for funding the airport operations, thinks this might appear to be a partial solution to their funding problem. Instead of a solution, if the decision makers carefully examined the issue, they might realize it may result in exacerbating the funding problem. The imposition of landing fees would very well discourage pilots from landing there, having breakfast or lunch at a local restaurant, buying fuel, etc, and thus result in a loss of revenue. To my knowledge, this type of landing fee is presently being employed by Bullhead and Safford Airports, and it is being considered by Cottonwood Airport. At Cottonwood, and other airports, the plan is on hold for further study.
Initially ADS-B was implemented as a safety issue to permit the FAA, and pilots to determine the position of other aircraft and avoid a possible conflict, and the information it provides was never considered, or intended, to be used for this type of fee system. APA and AOPA intend to ask both the state and national senate and house to adopt legislation that will prohibit the use of ADS-B information from being used for any other purposes than aviation safety.
We would ask that everyone take an interest in what is happening at their airport and offer to provide assistance when necessary, and if anyone out there is aware of a landing fee being considered for their airport please advise APA immediately!
MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS
FAA
We don’t have any FAA news to pass on to you, and fortunately we haven’ t become aware of any regulation changes or proposals for changes from the FAA that would impact our general aviation community. APA will continue to be on alert for any changes that may occur and will keep you informed.
AIRSPACE
Not too long ago the USAF at Davis-Monthan issued a notice for comment on a Department of The Air Force Environmental Impact Statement for Special Use Airspace Optimization to Support Air Force Missions in Arizona. Upon a careful review, this proposal would have a very significant negative impact on the general aviation community. The Arizona Pilots Association reviewed the proposal in detail and prepared a response that was submitted to the US Air Force. An overview of this response is in contained in the APA Presidents report, and the complete response is available online here.
The comments were due on October 9th, and we hope you got your comments in.
Because there has been a significant increase in parachute activity throughout the state, we hope you have been extra vigilant when flying near airports with parachute activity. This activity is mainly advanced tactical training of foreign personnel, and it may be occurring at any of the parachute sites in the state, including El Tiro Glider Port (AZ67). Please be aware that some of this activity could be high altitude jumping with a high altitude parachute opening which may result in the parachutists descending through airspace 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 en-route facility frequencies for parachute activity.
SAFETY
In this past reporting period aviation safety hasn’t improved much because the number of accidents/incidents are about the same, and fortunately we didn’t have any local fatalities. I can only hope that the number of occurrences will come down.
For the details of these accidents/incidents in this past August-September reporting period 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 there were no Near Mid Air Collisions (NMAC’s) noted by the FAA.
Unfortunately, the number of pilot deviations ticked up a bit the last reporting period, and half of them were IFR deviations. All these deviations were committed by pilots with 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 was unaware of what type of airspace they were flying in 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, and 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:
9 IFR Deviations 5 Brashers
3 Class Bravo Deviations 1 Brasher
2 Class Delta Deviations 1 Brasher
1 Runway Incursion No Brasher
1 Air Traffic Instruction 1 Brasher
2 TFR Deviations No Brashers
For all the details of these deviations, see my Pilot Deviations Report located later in this newsletter.
CONSTRUCTION
Mesa Falcon Field (FFZ) has completed their numerous taxiway projects and is getting back to normal. Gateway Airport (IWA) will soon be undertaking several construction projects that will require the closing of one of their three runways from time to time. Phoenix Deer Valley will be starting a major hangar construction project that will require a major change in taxi routing. Be sure to get NOTAMS before your arrival. Other airports around the state have numerous construction projects in progress or have projects that will be starting soon. Unfortunately, we don’t have the specific details on all these projects, and we would urge you to always check for NOTAMS at your destination airport so you won’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 and will be restarting in November.
At the insistence of FFZ, the Aviation Explorer Post 352 will have a fly-in breakfast on the first Saturday of the month near their hangar. Look for the signs. (Their first breakfast will be on October 26 and their 2nd one on December 7.)
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.
Grapevine is open full time, and generally the third Saturday weekend camping and cookouts have restarted. Check the newsletter for a possible weekend change. The camp host will prepare the main course for dinner, 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. There is a rumor that an individual may be opening a cafe in the terminal. Apparently, the cafe area of the terminal has gotten all their required approvals signed off, and a new operator is signed up. If or when this happens, we shall see.
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.