Well, it does look like the hot summer is over, and the cooler temperatures may be upon us. It seems like it took about the entire month of September to get to where we have these more tolerable temperatures. (I hope I’m not wrong) Let’s take advantage of them and go flying!Well, it does look like the hot summer is over, and the cooler temperatures may be upon us. It seems like it took about the entire month of September to get to where we have these more tolerable temperatures. (I hope I’m not wrong) Let’s take advantage of them and go flying!
Note that Scottsdale Airport will temporarily close their Run-way and all taxiways in October for a scheduled pavement preservation maintenance to extend the life of the existing airfield. This routine preservation project will not expand or lengthen the runway, change its weight-bearing capacity, or enable the airport to accommodate larger aircraft. It is sepa-rate from the Airport Master Plan. The runway and taxiways are scheduled to be closed overnight from 9 pm to 6 am on Sunday, Oct. 18, through Friday, Oct. 23. A full closure will begin at 9 pm on Saturday, Oct. 24, and reopen Sunday at 6 am.
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 activity and inform you immediately.
The Administrator has told Congress that they need another $30 billion for the aviation infrastruc-ture, which includes air traffic control towers, software, and digital upgrades, and other airport improvements. Of this $30 billion, approximately $10 Billion would be used for the upgrading of aging air traffic control towers, $10 billion for improving telecommunications and new software, and $10 Billion for airport improvements.
The plan for establishing an FAA Control Tower at Marana Regional Airport is continuing, and hopefully we will soon see the start of the construction phase.
AIRSPACE
Based on what we have been advised at aviation meet-ings, the civilian and military parachute activity around the central part of the state will be starting to build up with the much-anticipated cooler weather. Be advised that this will be military, and contract parachute activity, and that some of this activity may also be occurring during the nighttime hours, and from high altitudes that may be from Flight Level altitudes with both high altitude, and low altitude parachute deployment. Re-member, the high-altitude operations may result in parachutes des-cending through airspace far removed from the final land-ing site. If you can determine the surface wind direction, the safest place will be downwind of their Drop Zone. Al-ways check NOTAMS for parachute activity on your route of flight, and if possible, use Flight Following for your pro-posed flight to receive flight advis-ories, and if possible, please monitor enroute facility frequencies for parachute activity. The parachute icon on the chart is a warning that there might be parachutists in the area.
We still haven’t heard anything regarding the Air Force proposal to modify the MOAs in the area or the proposal to modify the dimensions of two of the class delta airspaces in the Phoenix East Valley. area. We are assured that these will happen, but when is still an open question.
SAFETY
The FAA SDL FSDO provides us with the FAA information for the Accident/Incident report, and also provides all the information for the Pilot Deviation and NMAC reports. We very much appreciate their efforts. For details of the Accidents/Incidents and the Pilot Deviations see these reports located else-where in this newsletter. Fortunately, there weren’t any NMAC’s reported this past month.
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, loca-tion, aircraft make, if anyone got hurt, and with as much detail as possible. Thank you.
The Pilot Deviations Report has only nine deviations reported during this period, and there were only two Brashers issued. These deviations were committed by pilots with certificates ranging from Stu-dent Pilot through ATP. Of the nine deviations, there were six out of state pilots. 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:
1 Phoenix Class Bravo Airspace Deviation No Brasher
1 Class Delta Airspace Deviation No Brasher
6 ATC Instructions 1 Brasher
1 Runway Incursion 1 Brasher
CONSTRUCTION
Phoenix Deer Valley Airport (DVT) will be closing Taxiway Bravo nightly for reconstruction. The north runway will be closed for a few days for crack seal-ing. So always be sure to get airport NOTAMs and study them before your arrival.
Tucson International Airport has a major construction project underway for the construction of the new parallel runway. All this activity may impact your ar-rival, so always get the latest airport NOTAMs, and study them well before your arrival.
Numerous airports around the state may have con-struction projects planned, or in progress that we aren’t aware of. So always get NOTAMs at your des-tination airport so you don’t have a surprise on 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 pro-cess. 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 starting in 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, and on the third Saturday is when the weekend camping and cookouts are planned. They will start in October, and will continue, unless otherwise scheduled, during the cooler months of October through April. Remember, 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 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 res-taurant, 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 online Calendar for fun weekend places to fly.