The Saturday morning fights have been great with the cooler temperatures prevailing. In fact, generally it has been good for the entire day. Also, I’ve noticed there haven’t been as many bugs on the windshield or wings. I guess I’ve been a bit lucky. Finally, we are into the enjoyable part of the year when we can be outside without getting overheated. So, let’s go flying.
We still haven’t heard anything on the U.S. Air Force proposal that would change the size of a MOA, severely lower the floors of MOA’s, and lower the altitude for supersonic flight. I guess we can only hope that it gets lost.
Comments were due regarding the FAA/ADOT Part 108 Notice Of Rule Making for the operation of drones beyond visual line of sight. I hope everyone took the opportunity to send in their comments. We still haven’t heard the results.
An important item that we are still waiting for is a bill before our legislators in Washington dealing with the commercial use of the ADS-B information that many of us transmit. APA realizes that the use of ADS-B information is not the only means for the implementation of landing fees.
As you have no doubt heard, much APA time has been spent dealing with several items of concern at Mesa Falcon Field. Despite Arizona Open Meeting Laws, for several months a Mesa City Council Member, the Falcon Field administration and a very limited group of participants have been holding “secret meetings” dealing with the issue of flight congestion and noise complaints. APA has been refused permission to attend and observe these meetings. AOPA and other representatives have also been excluded. The results of these meetings have been outlined and sent to the APA membership and these results will be presented to the Mesa City Council for their action in their early February meeting. It is desired to have implementation of the new rules early next year. The major concern that APA has is the negative impact this will have on the tenants of Falcon Field and the surrounding airports. If Falcon Field starts charging landing fees, APA believes that many of the airports in Arizona will see this as a reason to also start charging landing fees. We believe this widespread implementation of fees would unfortunately have a very negative impact on the aviation community.
MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS
FAA
Except for the Part 108 Notice of Proposed Rule Making discussed above, the FAA has been relatively quiet regarding regulations that would impact our flying. The MOSIAC proposal which has been partially released will have a major impact on the sport pilot community, drastically changing the type of airplanes that may be flown
Be assured, APA will always be on the alert for rule changes that may occur that would have an impact on your flying activity and immediately inform you.
AIRSPACE
There is a significant amount of parachute activity continuing throughout the state, and we have been advised that unfortunately it will be increasing as the weather continues to cool. Be extra vigilant when flying near airports with known parachute activity, and look for the parachute icon on the chart, which would indicate parachute activity. Be advised that many of these are well trained foreign jumpers learning new tactical procedures, and some of this training will be high altitude jumping initiated at Flight Levels, with parachutists descending through airspace far removed from the 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 if possible, use Flight Following for your proposed route of flight or monitor en-route facility frequencies for parachute activity.
SAFETY
We continue to get reports from the FAA and ATC that drones are reported operating near airport traffic areas. We all realize that they are very difficult to see and avoid. Drones are not supposed to be operated near an airport, but occasionally they are there. Contacting and educating the drone operator is a problem we all face. Please be vigilant.
The Accident/Incident numbers are down, and it is fortunate that no one was injured this past reporting period. There were eight Accident/Incidents reported, and the information was taken from many sources. For the details of 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 one Near Midair Collision (NMAC) reported, and the report is appended to the Accident/Incident report.
There were nineteen pilot deviations reported by the FAA SDL FSDO for the period from October 3 through November 14, 2025, and these deviations were committed by pilots with certificates ranging from Student through ATP, and there were eight Brashers issued. The percentage of Brashers issued this time has unfortunately increased significantly.
Note: Most of these pilot deviations were resolved during a discussion between the controller, and the pilot at the time of the occurrence. However, 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 seems that pilots continue to be unaware of what type of airspace they are flying in or may be about to enter. A pilot should always listen carefully to ATC instructions, and follow them, and if they can’t be complied with, immediately tell the controller why you can’t comply. While flying in controlled airspace, a pilot must always comply with ATC instructions and always advise ATC before doing anything that may differ from the 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:
3 IFR Deviations 1 Brasher
2 Class Bravo Airspace Deviations 1 Brasher
8 Class Delta Airspace Deviation 5 Brashers
1 ATC Instructions No Brasher
2 Runway Incursions 1 Brasher
1 Surface Incident No Brasher
1 Wrong Surface Landing No Brasher
1 Vehicle/Pedestrian Deviation
For details of all the Pilot Deviations in this past reporting period, see my Pilot Deviation report located elsewhere in this newsletter.
CONSTRUCTION
A major hangar project is underway on the south side of Phoenix Deer Valley Airport (DVT), and some taxiways are being moved to comply with FAA standards. All this activity will result in changes to the normal taxi routing. Be sure to get airport NOTAMS, and study them before your arrival.
At Tucson International Airport there is major construction happening. There are also numerous other smaller projects underway that could impact your arrival, so always check the latest airport NOTAMS and study them well before arrival.
There are many airports around the state that also have construction projects in progress 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 is working 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) is on the first Saturday of the month.
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 generally the third Saturday weekend camping and cookouts are planned. Check the APA 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.
There is a fly-in breakfast on the last Saturday of the month at the Casa Grande Municipal Airport (CGZ). A new cafe, the “Sky High” Cafe, is open from Thursday through Friday from 9 am-12 pm, and Saturday through Monday from 8 am-12 pm with a limited menu. However, the Casa Grande Masonic Lodge will continue to be serving breakfast in the air-conditioned terminal from 7 to 11 am on the last Saturday of the month.
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 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.