I have really enjoyed the breakfast fights on Saturday mornings, and the weather has been generally pretty good. The temperatures have been reasonable, even though I’m the last one home about 11:00 am.
Falcon Field is scheduled to implement their new fee structure soon and start charging landing fees. It looks like Gateway Airport (IWA) is going to jump on the bandwagon and start charging landing fees, also. They said they have been considering the landing fees for some time, but now is the time. I really hope this trend doesn’t slop over to other airports in the state. I guess we’ll just have to wait and see.
We are still waiting for action on a bill before our legislators in Washington to suppress the commercial use of the ADS-B information that’s being transmitted. A member of the Arizona Safety Advisory Group who is well connected with members of our State Legislature has also taken action to have a bill presented and heard in the Arizona Legislature that would also prevent the commercial use of this ADS-B information that’s being transmitted. In spite of the fact that this is really a safety issue, the Arizona Airport Association is still unsure about supporting this bill because they think that they may still want to use this ADS-B information for generating income for the airports. There’s concern that the bill may not be signed by our Governor.
MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS
FAA
We haven’t heard of anything from the FAA that would impact your flying activity, but be assured that APA will always be on the alert for any rule changes that could impact your flying and immediately inform you.
AIRSPACE
Based on what we have heard at aviation meetings that we have attended, there is and will continue to be a lot of parachute activity happening around the central part of the state. We have also been advised that some of this activity could also be occurring during the nighttime hours. Because of this, I guess we should avoid flying near any airport with known parachute activity and always be vigilant for parachutists. The parachute icon on the chart is a warning that there might be parachutists in the area. Remember, this parachute activity may consist of experienced foreign parachutists that are here to learn, and practice new tactical procedures. Some of this jumping could also be high altitude jumping being initiated at Flight Levels, with parachutists descending through airspace far removed from the final landing site. If you can determine the surface wind direction, the safest place will be upwind 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 to receive flight advisories, and if possible, monitor enroute facility frequencies for parachute activity.
SAFETY
The FAA SDL FSDO has always provided substantial FAA input for the Accident/Incident and NMAC reports and all the information for the Pilot Deviation report. We have become aware that Brian Mehrtens has been appointed to be the new Operations FAAST Team Program Manager, and in the future, we will plan on getting all the necessary report information from Brian.
The Accident numbers are back up again, and unfortunately, we did have some fatalities reported. We had fifteen accidents reported. 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.
With regard to Pilot Deviations, it was fortunate that there were only seven deviations reported, and there weren’t any Brashers reported. These deviations were committed by pilots with certificates ranging from Private Pilot through Commercial/CFI. There were four out of state pilots of the seven deviations reported. Pilots need to be more careful in their flying and carefully listen to ATC instructions. Pilots must always be aware of what type of airspace they are flying in, or may be about to enter, and know what will be expected of them.
In summary, the general aviation deviations this reporting period are:
- 3 Class Delta Airspace Deviations - No Brashers
- 4 ATC Instructions - No Brashers
There were no Near Mid Air Collision (NMAC) incidents reported during this past reporting period.
Before takeoff the ATIS often advises that drones are operating near the airport. We realize that these drones are extremely difficult to see, and avoid, and educating many of these drone operators of the proper rules of operation is a problem that we all face. Please be very vigilant all the time.
CONSTRUCTION
Because a major project is still underway on the south side of Phoenix Deer Valley Airport (DVT), some of the taxiways may have been moved. While some of this activity may have been completed, some activity still remains. Because of the 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, and this could impact your arrival. Always check the latest airport NOTAMS, and study them well before 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. 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 during the cooler part of the year. The next one is scheduled to be October.
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, which are planned during the cooler months of October through April, have ceased for the summer and will restart in October. 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 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 from the passport program for being there.