I hope all is going well for you so far this year. The days have been cool and the aircraft performance has been excellent in this nice cool air, and most certainly, the pilot performance should also be much improved. Except for a bit of wind at times, the flying weather has been generally great. I still can’t believe the length of this last hot summer. It seemed never to end. I really hope this isn’t a sign of things to come. I guess we shall see. In the meantime, let’s go flying.
So far everything seems to be quiet on the aviation front, and from what I’m aware of not too much has been happening. Our state legislature has gotten under way, and all appears to be relatively quiet from an aviation standpoint, and I hope it stays that way. I have heard that the legislature has taken steps to stop the “sweeping” of funds from our Aviation Fund. The past millions of funds taken most likely didn’t have that much of an impact on the projects being funded, other than balancing a budget. From an aviation standpoint, this same money would have funded numerous runway, taxiway, or ramp improvements. If we don’t make noise at the legislature, they won’t understand the importance of maintaining our infrastructure in a good condition, and the positive impact we make on the overall economic picture. I think a big part of the APA task this coming year will be to spend more time informing our state legislators of what the aviation community is doing and the positive impact it makes on the state.
APA has many tasks laid out for the coming year, and unfortunately, our manpower is limited, as usual. If you think you can assist us, please This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS
FAA
Because the Federal Aviation (FAA) Administrator Michael Whitaker has resigned from his role on January 20, 2025, we will be waiting for the FAA to find a replacement for him. (Or Trump to make an announcement of another new appointment.) I certainly hope this situation doesn’t impact the release of the MOSAIC Airplane program that’s scheduled to be released at AirVenture in Oshkosh this summer.
Everything still seems to be quiet on the FAA front in the way of changes or proposals for changes to the regulations that might possibly impact our flying activity. APA will always be on the alert for any significant changes that may occur and will keep you informed.
AIRSPACE
As you know there is a significant amount of parachute activity throughout the state, and we hope you are being extra vigilant when flying near airports with known parachute activity. Be on the lookout for the parachute icon on the chart, indicating parachute activity. There may very likely be teams from foreign countries that could be training here. Be advised that that this training 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 with parachutists descending through airspace far removed from the final landing site. Always be sure to check for NOTAMS for this activity, or use Flight Following for your proposed route of flight. Also possibly monitor en-route facility frequencies for parachute activity.
We have been advised that the Sky Dive operations at the Casa Grande Airport have been told to cease using the present landing area located north of the airport, and have been offered a landing zone on airport property that is located southeast of the airport runway starting February 4, 2025. This will move them to an area where aircraft that may performing an instrument approach to the runway, and then executing a missed approach turn, may fly through. The landing area is on the existing airport property BUT IS NOT adjacent to the runway! It is located on an area that is approximately 300 feet south of some hangars south of the entrance to the airport. Until an analysis of the operation is made, it could be a serious safety issue.
For some time the city of Peoria has been considering a renovation of the closed Pleasant Valley Airport (P48) near Lake Pleasant, acquiring additional adjacent land, and developing a major City Of Peoria Airport. Recently the word came out that the city has abandoned their airport plans for the area, but instead they plan to develop the area for other commercial purposes. While we could use another general aviation airport, an airport in this location would not be wise, and would be in conflict with the operations at Luke Air Force Base.
SAFETY
It’s hard to say what the status of aviation safety is at the moment. I find it hard to believe this lack of information with human nature being as it is. The fact that I haven’t seen a report of a real aircraft accident since the RV-7 went down near Gila Bend on December 22 is surprising. The other day while I was writing this report, I received information from an APA member that a Cessna landed short of the runway at Prescott on Saturday, January 18th. Because there was no damage reported, this is the first incident of the year reported. The last aviation fatality we had was in the first part of November last year, and I certainly hope the next fatality won’t occur for a long time. Rather than take up the space here, the two incidents that were reported to me in this last reporting period are covered in my accident report located 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.
In this past reporting period we did have one Near Mid Air Collision (NMAC) reported. I’m sure most of you saw this on the TV News. On January 11, while there was a major inrush of traffic to Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX) there were two airliners that were on approach to the same runway at (PHX). Before they could get a warning from ATC, both aircraft received a TCAS Alert, and initiated a go around procedure. The system worked as planned, and both aircraft ultimately made a safe landing. The closest proximately to each other was 425 feet vertically, and 1/4 mile horizontally.
While flying, ALWAYS WATCH FOR OTHER AIRCRAFT IN YOUR AREA !
The pilot deviations reported by the FAA were from the period from December 13 to January 10, 2025. With the snowbirds that should be here by now and the blunders that are normally committed by our “local” pilots, one would think that the number of deviations would be in the 20 to 30 range.
There were only six (6) deviations this time. In other meetings I have asked the FAA controllers if there has been a change in criteria or any other change that would account for this drastic reduction in deviation numbers. I’ve always gotten the same response, there have been NO changes made!
I find it hard to believe that we may have gotten through to pilots with these reports, and they are being more careful in what they are doing.
These deviations were committed by pilots with certificates ranging from Private Pilot through Commercial/CFI, and there were no Brashers issued.
Note: A controller will issue a Brasher notification to a pilot when further FAA action will be taken, and the controller is thus giving the airman the opportunity to make note of the occurrence, collect information, and their thoughts for their future interaction with FAA Flight Standards.
It’s still apparent that pilots are often unaware of what type of airspace they are flying in or are about to enter. Pilots must always 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 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 always comply with them.
In summary, the general aviation deviations issued this reporting period are as follows:
3 IFR Deviations No Brashers
1 Class Delta Deviation No Brasher
2 Runway Incursions No Brashers
To see the details of these deviations, see a copy of my Pilot Deviation Report located elsewhere in this newsletter.
CONSTRUCTION
Gulfstream Aviation just opened a new customer support service center at Mesa Gateway Airport (IWA) in January. This new facility will provide maintenance, avionics services, inspections, and support for all Gulfstream aircraft.
Gateway Airport (IWA) is still undertaking construction projects which may require the closing, or partial closing of one of their three runways from time to time. Phoenix Deer Valley Airport (DVT) is undergoing a major hangar construction project which requires changes in the normal taxi routing. Be sure to get NOTAMS for both airports before your arrival. Other airports around the state have numerous construction projects in progress or have projects 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 a 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 is in the process of wrapping up their master plan process with the presentation of the final draft of the Airport Layout Plan (ALP) to the City Council for their approval, and then submittal to the FAA. 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.
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 will be put on by the Runway 5 Cafe, a new cafe that just started business in the Casa Grande Airport terminal building. Runway 5 Cafe is open for business on Tuesday through Saturday from 7:00 am to 2:00 pm.
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. If you haven’t already, 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.