The breakfast fights on Saturday morning have been rather good, except that some of those flights have been a bit cool at the start or at civil dawn, but in general, the temperature has been good for the entire day. We can revel in that we can enjoy being outside all day, so let’s take advantage of it and go flying.
I’m certain you know that APA is spending much time dealing with fees and other concerns at Mesa Falcon Field. The AOPA Airport Rep. knows a number of people in the City of Mesa government and has been in contact with them, discussing the issues that we are facing. It appears that the city is re-thinking the plan that they had been pursuing, and the Falcon Field item that was on the Mesa City Council meeting agenda for early February has been removed and will be presented in March. See Chris Nugent’s President’s Report to bring you up do date on all the latest details.
While we are waiting for action on a bill before our legislators in Washington to suppress the commercial use of the ADS-B information that many of us transmit, we were pleasantly surprised to learn that a member of the Arizona Safety Advisory Group is well connected with members of our State Legislature and action has been taken to have a bill presented and heard in the Arizona Legislature that would prevent the commercial use of the ADS-B information that’s being transmitted.
It has to be remembered that ADS-B information is not the only means for the implementation of landing fees. In some cases, they can use electronic photographs to verify a plane’s landing.
MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS
FAA
The FAA has reopened the comment period for its proposed Part 108 rule governing beyond visual line of sight drone operations, and they are seeking additional feedback on electronic conspicuity and right-of-way provisions. The original rulemaking was entitled “Normalizing Unmanned Aircraft Systems Beyond Visual Line Of Sight Operations,” and was published August 7, 2025, with a closing date of October 6, 2025. One of the changes would be dealing with technologies that would allow manned aircraft to be electronically detectable. This would mean that aircraft broadcasting ADS-B out, or have an otherwise approved alternative electronic conspicuity device, would have right-of-way.
The comment period will end February 11, 2026.
The FAA will be undergoing significant changes per Transportation Secretary, Sean Duffy, and Federal Aviation Administrator, Bryan Bedford. These new divisions would be focused on safety, air traffic modernization, and advanced technology. Many of these new divisions may be required by the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024.
Please be assured that APA will always be on the alert for rule changes that could have an impact on your flying activity and immediately inform you.
AIRSPACE
I believe most of you have submitted your comments regarding the NPRM that was in the Federal Register regarding the proposed increase in size of the class delta airspace for Chandler and Gateway airports. The deadline for comments was February 2, 2026. Per the NPRM the Gateway Delta would increase by about 0.4 statute miles radii. This change would most likely make the Gateway Class Delta Airspace touch the Mesa Falcon Field Class Delta Airspace. This change would prohibit aircraft from freely flying between the two class delta airspaces, and thus greatly limit eastbound traffic.
By increasing the radius of the Chandler Class Delta Airspace by 0.8 statute miles would result in closing the distance between the Chandler Class Delta and the Phoenix Class Bravo Airspace which runs from the surface to the top of the bravo. This change would no doubt also force all the aircraft in the uncontrolled pattern at Stellar Airpark to the west side of the runway, irrespective of the wind. The increase of the height of the Chandler delta to 3,700 feet would also limit over flight as about two thirds of the floor of the Phoenix Class Bravo Airspace is at 4000 feet over the Chandler Class Delta. For these reasons the increased size of the Chandler Class Delta Airspace would result in many negative issues for pilots, and I‘m unaware of any activity at Chandler that would warrant any increase in the size of its class delta airspace.
The good weather that we always enjoy is also the reason that we have a lot of parachute activity happening around the central part of the state, and as the winter weather tends to cool, the parachute activity will also be increasing. Avoid flying near airports with known parachute activity, and always be extra vigilant for parachutists. Note icons on the charts as this is also a warning that there might be parachutists in the area. A lot of this present parachute activity will consist of experienced foreign parachutists that are here to learn, and practice new tactical procedures, and some of this jumping may be high altitude jumping being initiated at Flight Levels, with parachutists descending through airspace far removed from their final landing site. Be advised, if you can determine the surface wind direction, your safest place will be downwind of their Drop Zone. Always check NOTAMS for parachute activity on your route of flight, and if possible use Flight Following for your proposed flight and monitor en-route facility frequencies for parachute activity.
SAFETY
We were greatly saddened this past month with the unexpected, sudden passing of Craig Tompkins of the FAA SDL FSDO. Craig had always provided us with a substantial FAA input to the Accident/Incident report, and he also provided all the information for the Pilot Deviation and NMAC Reports. As a result, the Accident report will have some information missing, and there won’t be a Pilot Deviation Report or NMAC Report until a suitable replacement for Craig is found by the FAA FSDO.
The Accident numbers may not be down where we would like, and it is truly unfortunate that we had four fatalities reported near the beginning of the reporting period. The accidents reported were taken from several sources, and for the details of these accidents, 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.
Before takeoff we sometimes get reports from ATC when drones are operating near the airport. We realize that these drones are very difficult to see and avoid, and educating many of these drone operators of the proper rules of operation is a problem we all face. So please be vigilant.
CONSTRUCTION
A major hangar project is still underway on the south side of Phoenix Deer Valley Airport (DVT), and some taxiways are being moved to comply with FAA standards. Some of this activity has been completed, but some activity still remains to be completed. This will result in changes to the normal taxi routing, so be sure to get airport NOTAMS and study them before arrival.
Tucson International Airport is having a major construction project underway. 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 your 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 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 with the updating of their Airport Master Plan by providing the pilot, and aircraft owner’s perspective in the process. Glendale Airport has just began 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. Since the AOPA Buckeye Air Fair will be Feb 13-15, the Grapevine fly-in weekend will be February 20-22. 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). The new “Sky High” Cafe, is open from Thursday thru Friday from 9 am-12 pm, and Saturday thru Monday from 8 am-12 pm with a limited menu. However, the Casa Grande Masonic Lodge will continue to be serving a 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.