The Saturday morning breakfast fights had to be put on hold for a time while many of us went to the EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh. I’m sure everyone had a great time. While it was a bit warm, and wet, I’m certain everyone survived. Speaking of hot, this coming Saturday it is predicted to be record breaking heat again, so another breakfast flight may have to be deferred.
This report is going to be a bit brief this month because of the fly-in at Oshkosh. If you haven’t gone to the event yet, you need to go, at least once, to say you have been there. It’s really an event not to miss. If something is going to be introduced to the public, this is where it will be introduced! It’s really a lot of fun.
MOSIAC
The big announcement this year was made by U. S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy, that after much discussion, and analysis they were releasing the MOSIAC rule. After 90 days from 7/23 we will have Sport Pilot rule 2.0, and within a year from 7/23 we will have a Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) Rule 2.0. Within ninety days, about three-quarters of the aviation fleet will be accessible to the sport pilot , or those exercising the sport pilot privileges. One year from now, new and modern aircraft will begin to be available that will enter the fleet that comply with the new ASTM standards for LSA aircraft, and with minimal certification costs. In the past the maximum gross weight of 1,320 pounds and two seats was a limiting factor for light sport aircraft. With MOSAIC the weight and seating limitations are gone. In its place we now have aircraft that have a “clean” stall speed (Vs1) of 59 knots calibrated airspeed, an aircraft with up to four seats, BUT sport pilots can only carry one passenger. The aircraft can now have a constant speed prop and retractable landing gear. The pilot will need to have the appropriate training and endorsements for these enhancements.
Hopefully, in one year we can have Light Sport aircraft that will have these enhancements with a minimum of FAA oversight, but under a consensus of standards certified by the ASTM, which may result in a lower aircraft cost.
ADS-B
Prohibition of the use of ADS-B information for commercial purposes is an issue that we in the APA have been planning on getting introduced during the next legislative session starting the first of next year. While this issue is being introduced into our national legislature, I think we should continue with our efforts on a local level. Legislation is being introduced in Congress, the Pilot and Aircraft Privacy Act, which seeks to address the growing concerns about the misuse of ADS-B, which has been increasingly used to collect fees from pilots. The bills will seek to prohibit the use of ADS-B data to assist in the collection of fees from pilots or aircraft owners and clarify that ADS-B data may only be used for its intended purpose of air traffic safety.
APA has many tasks laid out for the coming year, and our manpower is limited. If you think you can assist us, please contact our president, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS
FAA
Fortunately, all is still quiet on the FAA front 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.
It appears that Bryan Bedford, the nominee for FAA Administrator has been confirmed by the Senate and is now the Administrator of the FAA. There is a long list of challenges as we seek to maintain America’s aviation infrastructure and air traffic system as the finest in the world and preserve the freedom of flight for individuals who want to be involved in any facet of aviation.
AIRSPACE
Studies are presently underway to have an ADS-B signal on parachutists. A small transmitter is presently available and is being extensively used in the UK. The present challenge is to get FAA approval for it to be used here in the U.S.
A significant amount of parachute activity is continuing throughout the state as it has in the past or 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 may be teams from foreign countries that could be training here. Be advised that some of this training could be high altitude jumping initiated at Flight Levels from FL130 and FL200, and above, with parachutists descending through 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. Always check NOTAMS for parachute activity and use Flight Following for your proposed route of flight, and possibly monitor en-route facility frequencies for parachute activity.
SAFETY
The improper use of drones is becoming a very serious problem. It has been noted that NORAD has seen a serious increase in drones violating Presidential TFRs. Any TFR violation is a serious issue. Many of these drone operators are not people who are properly informed of aviation constraints. A recent example was a drone striking a Texas flood rescue helicopter taking it out of service. We often see cases of drones flying in areas where unapproved flight is prohibited, or pilots reporting a close encounter with a drone in an airport traffic pattern. If you know a drone operator, please advise/educate them of aviation constraints. How to reach these operators is a real problem we all face.
The number of Accident/Incidents are about the same as last time, and it was fortunate that we didn’t have any fatalities reported. During this past period there were 13 Accident/Incidents reported, and the information was taken from many sources. 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 was injured, and with as much detail as possible. Thank you.
During this past reporting period we had a Near Midair Collision (NMAC) reported. This report will be appended to the Accident/Incident report.
There were eighteen pilot deviations reported by the FAA SDL FSDO for the period from June 13 through July 10, 2025. These deviations were committed by pilots with certificates ranging from Private Pilot through Commercial Pilot, 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.
Pilots seem to be unaware of what type of airspace they are flying into or may be about to enter. You must always listen carefully to ATC instructions, and follow them, and if you can’t comply, immediately tell the controller why you 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:
6 IFR Deviations No Brashers
1 Class Bravo Airspace Deviations No Brasher
2 Class Delta Airspace Deviations No Brashers
3 Runway Incursions No Brashers
5 ATC Instructions No Brashers
1 Taxi Without Clearance No Brasher
CONSTRUCTION
Phoenix Deer Valley Airport (DVT) has a major hangar construction project underway on the south side of the airport which requires a change in the normal taxi routing. Be sure to get airport NOTAMS, and study them before your arrival. Other airports around the state have construction projects underway or will 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 has worked 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 and the weekend camping and cookouts start back up on the October 17-19 weekend. See Leanne’s article in this newsletter issue for more info!
There is a fly-in 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 serving a breakfast in the air-conditioned terminal from 7 to 11 am.
When you fly to any of these venues, be sure to look for the Fly Arizona Passport Placard at the restaurant and also at the airport terminal. If you haven’t, scan the placard with the FlyAZ app on your smart phone to get credit in the passport program for being there.
Check with the APA Getaway Flights program and online calendar for fun weekend places to fly.