The Saturday morning breakfast fight program has gone rather well, except one time we canceled the flight because of the prediction of wind. As a result, we all drove to Chandler to the Hanger Cafe, which turned out to be a good call. The wind was excessive. Summer has arrived, and it’s HOT, but in spite of it, let’s go flying anyway.
The present legislative session has ended, but we need to gear up for the legislative session that will start the beginning of next year. We will continue to make our legislators aware of the fact that General Aviation does have a very positive impact on the state’s economic picture, and to maintain our airports we need all of our Aviation Fund, so please don’t sweep our fund to finance other projects. We will also work with some legislators to have a bill introduced next session that will prevent our ADS-B data, that is being transmitted, from being used for commercial purposes.
APA has many ambitious tasks laid out for the coming year, but our manpower is limited. If you think you can assist us, please contact our president, Chris Nugent.
MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS
FAA
Fortunately, everything is still rather 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.
At this time appears very likely that the FAA may release the MOSAIC light sport airplane rule at AirVenture in Oshkosh this summer. The release of this proposal will have a very major impact on the type of airplanes that the Light Sport pilot will be permitted to fly, It will be interesting to see how far reaching the proposal will be on all the rules that now exist.
AIRSPACE
A significant amount of parachute activity is continuing throughout the state, but it appears that it may have 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 also may be teams from foreign countries training here and be advised that some of this training could be high altitude jumping initiated at Flight Levels from FL130, and above, and with canopies deployed these parachutists could be descending thru airspace far removed from their final landing site. If you can determine the surface wind direction, the safest place would be downwind of the Drop Zone. Parachutists will land like an airplane, downwind, base, and final. Always check NOTAMS for parachute activities along your flight path and use Flight Following for your proposed route of flight and monitor enroute facility frequencies for parachute activity.
SAFETY
The number of Accident/Incidents were again rather high, and it was unfortunate that we had three fatalities reported. During this past period there were 15 Accident/Incidents reported. While the information is taken from many sources, much of the information is from FAA notes.
For the details of all the accidents/incidents in this past reporting period, see my accident/incident 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 three NMAC’s reported. This report will be appended to the Accident/Incident report.
There were twenty-one pilot deviations reported by the FAA SDL FSDO for the period from May 17 thru June 12, 2025. These deviations were committed by pilots with certificates ranging from Student Pilot thru ATP/CFI, and apparently there were three Brashers issued for IFR deviations.
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, know what they mean, and always comply with them.
In summary, the general aviation deviations issued this reporting period are as follows:
10 IFR Deviations 3 Brashers
1 Class Bravo Airspace Deviations No Brashers
3 Class Delta Airspace Deviations No Brashers
5 Runway Incursions No Brashers
2 ATC Instructions No Brashers
CONSTRUCTION
The Grand Canyon National Park Airport (GCN) will closing their only runway in July for approximately 28 days for rehabilitation of the runway. The 13-million-dollar project will include an overlay of the runway, reconfiguration, and rehabilitation of Taxiway P, A, and B, marking modifications on the aircraft parking apron, and updating the airport signage to meet the current FAA standards.
All this should improve the safety and operational efficiency for users of the airport. Helicopter operations may continue to operate from the apron during closure. Be sure to check airport NOTAMS before you fly into GCN airport. The airport is operated by the Arizona Department of Transportation.
Gateway Airport (IWA) still has ongoing construction projects which may require closing, or partially close 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 of the airport 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 also 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. Sierra Vista will be starting their masterplan update in early July. 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 is once again serving breakfast in the air-conditioned terminal from 7:00 to 10:00 am.
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 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.