The Saturday morning breakfast fights have been great with the cooler temperatures prevailing. In fact, generally it has been good for the entire day. At least it hasn’t gotten too cold in the early morning to be uncomfortable, and we are finally into that enjoyable part of the year when we can comfortably be outside all day, so let’s go flying.
Well, it appears that the FAA/ADOT Part 108 Rule Making for the operation of drones beyond visual line of sight is going to go into effect, much to the detriment of most of the general aviation community. So much discussion is flying around concerning the rule that I wonder if, or when, modifications to the rule will be made. I guess we will have to wait and see.
An important item that we are still waiting on is a bill before our legislators in Washington dealing with the commercial use of the ADS-B information that many of us transmit. Perhaps we may be able to pass similar legislation here in Arizona. APA realizes that the use of this ADS-B information is not the only means for the implementation of landing fees. In some cases, they are using electronic photographs to verify an aircraft landing.
As you have heard, the APA has spent much time dealing with the fees and other recent concerns at Mesa Falcon Field. Based on the short time from the email notice from the airport to tenants on December 3, 2025, and the formal publication the fee schedule on January 15, 2026, it’s been difficult for all of the GA organizations to sort through the details. This includes AOPA, who was unaware of the issue until APA contacted them. There are more serious issues elsewhere, like airports that are being forced to close that AOPA has to deal with also. Therefore, it’s easy to see that AOPA may not be of much help immediately. This is a complex issue and as you might expect, there are a lot of politics involved. As Chris reported in this month’s President’s Report, APA, ASAG, and AOPA are working to get a more favorable outcome, but there is a lot work to do.
It will be VERY important to have everyone that is able to attend the meeting of the Mesa City Council in their early February meeting when this Falcon Field issue is presented for their action. It will be important for you to briefly present your views and go on record regarding your stance on the issue.
The major concern that APA has is the negative impact this will have on not only the tenants of Falcon Field, but also on 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 entire aviation community.
MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS
FAA
The FAA has proposed revisions to the Sport Pilot Practical Test Standards to align the testing requirements with the recently finalized MOSIAC rule. The proposal would update present Sport Pilot documents to reflect how Sport Pilots and flight instructors will be certified and evaluated. The FAA says the changes would not alter how tests are conducted but would clarify which aircraft and standards would apply during certification and proficiency checks.
Except for the Part 108 Rule Making discussed above, the FAA has been relatively quiet regarding any other regulations that would have an impact our flying. Please be assured that APA will always be on the alert for any rule changes that would have an impact on your flying activity and immediately inform you.
AIRSPACE
Please be advised that the North American Trainer Association will be conducting a Formation Clinic at Casa Grande Airport on January 15 through January 18 from 9:00 am to sunset each day. They plan to establish a temporary advisory tower each day of the event. Starting at 3:00 pm they will have wavered airspace with an air boss until sunset for the event. Please exercise caution when operating in the area.
What is an Airport Advisory Tower? It provides essential weather and traffic information at smaller airports without a full-time control tower, offering guidance like runway status, wind, and other aircraft positions over a radio frequency, similar to a pilot's self-announcement but with a helpful voice, helping pilots know what's happening before landing or taking off. It’s not a “Control Tower,” but treat the advisory tower as a regular tower.
Because of our usual good weather, the significant amount of parachute activity happening throughout the state 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 may 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 will be downwind of the Drop Zone. Always check NOTAMS for parachute activity, and if possible use Flight Following for your proposed route of flight. Monitor en-route facility frequencies for parachute activity.
SAFETY
We continue to get reports from ATC when drones are operating near airport traffic areas. We all realize that they are very difficult to see and avoid. Contacting and educating drone operators is a problem we all face. Please be vigilant.
The Accident/Incident numbers are down a bit from last time, and it is again fortunate that no one was injured during the reporting period. There were six Accident/Incidents reported, and the information was taken from many sources. For the details of the accidents/incidents in the reporting period, see my accident report located elsewhere in the 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.
Fortunately, this reporting period we didn’t have any Near Midair Collisions (NMAC) reported.
Pilot deviations were up this reporting period, and there were twenty-five pilot deviations reported by the FAA SDL FSDO for the period from November 15 through December 11, 2025. These deviations were committed by pilots covering the entire range of pilot certifications. There were five out of state pilots, and two military pilots in the twenty-five deviations reported, and there were 12 Brashers issued.
In summary, the general aviation deviations issued this reporting period are as follows:
4 IFR Deviations 3 Brashers
4 Class Delta Airspace Deviation 1 Brasher
2 ATC Instructions 1 Brasher
8 Runway Incursions 5 Brashers
1 NORDO 1 Brasher
6 Surface Incidents 1 Brasher
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 has been underway on the south side of Phoenix Deer Valley Airport (DVT) for some time, and some taxiways are being moved to comply with FAA standards. Some of this activity has been completed, but much activity remains to be completed and will still result in changes to the normal taxi routing. Be sure to get airport NOTAMS and study them before your arrival.
Tucson International Airport still has a major construction project underway. There are also numerous other smaller projects underway that could impact your arrival, so check the latest airport NOTAMS and study them well before arrival.
There are other 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 at the moment, 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 them with updating their Airport Master Plan by providing the pilot and aircraft owner’s perspective in the process. Glendale Airport has just begun their Master Plan Update 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 app 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.