The Saturday morning ritual of flying someplace for breakfast has gone pretty well recently, and the weather has been relatively cooperative. Something has been bothering me though, where have the bugs gone? I did take a short break from the breakfasts a while back, and that may have been when the bugs were out, but lately my flying has been rather bug free. I guess I shouldn’t look a gift horse in the mouth, but just be glad for the bug free flights. So, let’s just go flying when we can!
We have been complaining about landing fees being accessed from information that is being taken from our ADS-B data being transmitted, and this appears to be an issue around the country that pilots are becoming concerned about. Apparently, the pilots in Montana have done something about it, and they have had legislation signed into law by the governor to stop this practice. Perhaps APA can cause the same thing to happen here in our next legislative session. APA has shared the language of this bill with retired USAF pilot Senator Wendy Rogers, a current aviator herself, with hopes that Arizona will consider such legislation next year.
It appears that drones are becoming more a part of our life, and I have noticed that very recently there have been incidents where drones have been involved in close encounters with aircraft or manned commercial balloons. We all need to be aware and keep our eyes open for these new additional hazards when flying. I came across an interesting article about a legislative bill that was introduced in the Florida legislature that would let homeowners shoot down low flying drones. While it could be fun, The FAA considers some drones an aircraft, and shooting at an aircraft is certainly prohibited! Besides, it would be the destruction of another’s personal property, which is prohibited. Bottom line. If you do encounter a drone and it’s a hazard, immediately report it to the proper authorities! Don’t shoot at it.
We will continue with our efforts to inform our state legislators of what is happening in our aviation community and of the positive impact we make on the overall economic picture of the state. We will also continue to fight as hard as possible to make sure the state legislature doesn’t continue to “sweep” our aviation fund to finance other projects.
APA has many tasks laid out for the coming year, and unfortunately our manpower is limited. If you think you can assist us, please contact our president, Chris Nugent.
MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS
FAA
Fortunately, all is still quiet with the FAA regarding regulations or proposals for changes that could impact our flying activity. Be assured, we will always be on the alert for any significant changes that may occur and immediately inform you.
Tim Arel is stepping down from his post as Chief Operating Officer of the FAA air traffic organization after 33 years with the FAA. He is participating in the voluntary deferred retirement program offered by the current Republican administration. He has committed to stay for the next few months to ensure a smooth transition.
The AOPA and the EAA have petitioned the FAA to drop the 3rd class medical requirement for that sector of the pilot community that flies aircraft with 6 seats or less and weighing less than 6000 pounds, which would include the vast majority of GA aircraft. It would be similar to the LSA pilot requirement: self-certifying as long as they have a valid driver’s license. APA has not taken a position on this petition until more information is obtained before coming to a decision point.
AIRSPACE
A significant amount of parachute activity is continuing throughout the state as it has in the past or even increased a bit. We hope you are being extra vigilant when flying near airports with known parachute activity, and look for the parachute icon on the chart, which would indicate parachute activity. There may be teams from foreign countries that would be training here, and be advised that some of this training could be high altitude jumping initiated at Flight Levels between FL130 and FL200, and above, with parachutists descending thru airspace far removed from their final landing site. Remember, if you can determine the surface wind direction, the safest place is downwind of the Drop Zone. Parachutists land like an airplane, downwind, base, and final. Always check NOTAMS for parachute activity and use Flight Following for your proposed route of flight, and possibly monitor enroute facility frequencies for parachute activity.
SAFETY
The number of Accident/Incidents were a bit high, but it was fortunate that there weren’t any airplane related fatalities to be reported. During this past period there were 13 Accident/Incidents reported, and while the information is taken from many sources, much of the information was from FAA notes.
For the details of all the accidents/incidents in this past reporting period, see my accident 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.
During this past reporting period we had two NMAC’s reported. This report will be appended to the Accident/Incident report.
There were twenty-four pilot deviations reported by the FAA SDL FSDO for the period from April 11 through May 16, 2025. These deviations were committed by pilots with certificates ranging from Student Pilot through ATP/CFI, and apparently there was one Brasher issued for an IFR deviation.
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 obvious that pilots are unaware of what type of airspace they are flying in, or may be 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 doing anything that may differ from instructions given. When on the ground, pay attention to 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:
7 IFR Deviations 1 Brasher
7 Class Bravo Airspace Deviations No Brashers
4 Class Delta Airspace Deviations No Brashers
5 Runway Incursions No Brashers
1 ATC Instructions No Brashers
To see the details of these deviations, see my Pilot Deviation Report located elsewhere in this newsletter.
AIRPORT INFORMATION
CASA GRANDE (CGZ)
The Casa Grande Airport has a new manager: his name is Brian Giefszler, the airport phone number is 520-426-3616, and their hours of operation are 6 am to 4 pm.
The RWY5 Cafe has closed, and on the last Saturday of the month the Casa Grande Masonic Lodge (Pinal Lodge #30) will once again be serving a breakfast until a new cafe owner can be secured.
The parachute operations are still operating out of the terminal, and the parachute jumpers are still landing on the privately owned parcel north of the airport. Please use care to avoid their landing area during your arrival.
MARANA REGIONAL AIRPORT (AVQ)
Marana Regional is a very busy airport, and it was recently the scene of a midair collision that claimed the lives of two people. It is also the scene of considerable parachute activity, and if you’re flying in, be advised there could be military parachutists landing between taxiways “A” and “C.” Please use caution!
As a result of this history, there are plans to have a FAA Control Tower installed. All the reports and paperwork have been completed, and if all goes well, the tower construction could start in 2026 or as soon as money is assigned, and a building contractor is chosen. The tower will be prefabricated, so the construction should go fast, and we may see a tower sooner than we had thought.
CONSTRUCTION
Gateway Airport (IWA) still has ongoing 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) has a major hangar construction project underway on the south side which will require a change in the normal taxi routing. Be sure to get NOTAMS for both airports, and study them before your arrival. Other airports around the state may have construction projects underway or have projects starting soon. We don’t have 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 upon your arrival.
APA works with airports around the state assisting with the updating of their Airport Master Plan 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) which was on the first Saturday of the month has stopped until fall.
On the second Saturday of the month, consider flying down to Ryan Field (RYN) west of 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, but the weekend camping, and cookouts have been discontinued for the summer. Grapevine, which lies within a National Forest, is heavily used by the Forest Service for fighting wildfires, and the Military for Special Training.
There is a pancake breakfast on the last Saturday of the month at the Casa Grande Municipal Airport (CGZ). The Runway 5 Cafe has closed, but the Casa Grande Masonic Lodge will once again be serving a breakfast in the air-conditioned terminal.
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, scan the placard with the FlyAZ Passport app on 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.