by Jim Timm
These pilot deviations need to be examined to determine if a common thread exists that we should address to help reduce the number of deviations that continue to occur and thus enhance aviation safety.
In the reporting period from January 11, 2025, through February 13, 2025, there were thirty-two pilot deviations reported by the FAA SDL FSDO. These deviations were committed by pilots with certificates ranging from Student Pilot through ATP Pilot. There were four Military Pilots, and ten out of state Pilots that committed these deviations. Of the thirty-two deviations reported, there were eight Brashers issued.
Note: 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.
The number of deviations has greatly increased since last month, and approximates what we have experienced in the past. Obviously, pilots just have not gotten more careful in their flying. Perhaps some of this increase may be attributed to “snowbirds” that have returned. Many of these pilots may not be accustomed to flying in some of the complex/crowded airspace that we have in Arizona.
I would certainly like to think that the information that has been presented has been valuable to the majority of the pilots out there and has made them safer pilots.
Moving on, pilots must listen carefully to ATC instructions and comply with them, and if they can’t comply, tell ATC why they can’t. Also, when flying in controlled airspace, pilots should never be creative but always talk to ATC before they do something that differs from the instructions given. Pilots must always be aware of what type of airspace they are flying in, or may be about to enter, and know what may be expected of them. Always fly with care and forethought, don’t be part of the problem.
The details of the deviations this month are as follows:
IFR DEVIATIONS (5)
1/10 Course Deviation
Commercial Pilot Certification
Albuquerque Center (ZAB)
The Lancair was flying southwest and the ZAB controller advised that they were south of course and gave them several right turn instructions to avoid active restricted airspace, and the pilot responded that they were correcting, but they continued to fly south of course. The Lancair ultimately violated a 3-mile protected airspace of R2301E which was active, and they were assigned a heading 280°, and the controller gave them a Brasher notice.
1/22 Route Deviation
ATP Pilot Certification
Out of Colorado
Albuquerque Center (ZAB)
Cessna Citation departed PHX to the north via the ZEPER2 departure over MAYSA-RRSTA-GUILE and was cleared to FL260. Upon reaching MAYSA, the Citation turned directly to GUILE and violated the protected airspace of the BAGDAD MOA which was active at FL280 and below. The ZAB controller turned the aircraft to the right and then back to GUILE when clear of the MOA. The Citation had programmed their GPS erroneously. There was no loss of separation nor other issues, and the controller read them the Brasher statement.
1/29 SID Deviation
ATP Pilot Certification
Out Of California
Phoenix TRACON (P50)
The pilot deviation was reported by the Phoenix TRACON when the Embraer Phenom flew the wrong SID on departure.
1/29 Altitude Deviation
Military Pilot
Tucson TRACON (U90)
The pilot deviation was reported by the Tucson TRACON then the Military F16 climbed above his assigned altitude of 17,000 Feet.
2/9 Missed Approach Deviation
Unknown Pilot Certification
Albuquerque Center (ZAB)
The pilot deviation was reported by ZAB when the Cirrus pilot executed the missed approach procedures and crossed the way point AZEKE, but didn’t enter the hold.
CLASS BRAVO AIRSPACE DEVIATIONS (7)
1/12 Entering Class Bravo Airspace Without First Having Authorization
Private Pilot Certification
Out Of South Carolina
Phoenix TRACON (P50)
The pilot deviation was reported by the Phoenix Tracon when the Cirrus departed Scottsdale and entered the Phoenix Class Bravo airspace without first obtaining authorization.
1/15 Entering Class Bravo Airspace Without First Having Authorization
Private Pilot Certification
Phoenix TRACON (P50)
The Cessna was VFR, and entered the Phoenix Class Bravo Airspace south of Sky Harbor without a clearance. A TRACON Controller issued the Brasher warning.
1/31 Entering Class Bravo Airspace Without First Having Authorization
ATP/CFI Pilot Certification
Mesa Falcon Field (FFZ)
The pilot deviation was reported by the Falcon Field ATC when the Lancair entered the Phoenix Class Bravo Airspace without authorization.
1/31 Entering Class Bravo Airspace Without First Having Authorization
Commercial Pilot Certification
Phoenix Deer Valley (DVT)
The pilot deviation was reported by the Phoenix TRACON when the Mooney entered the Phoenix Class Bravo Airspace without authorization.
2/3 Entering Class Bravo Airspace Without First Having Authorization
Private Pilot Certification
Mesa Falcon Field (FFZ)
The pilot deviation was reported by the Mesa Falcon Field (FFZ) when the Mooney entered the Phoenix Class Bravo Airspace without authorization.
2/7 Entering Class Bravo Airspace Without First Having Authorization
Private Pilot Certification
Phoenix TRACON (P50)
The pilot deviation was reported by the the TRACON when the Bonanza entered the Phoenix Class Bravo Airspace without Authorization. The Glendale ATCT Issued the Brasher warning.
2/7 Entering Class Bravo Airspace Without First Having Authorization
Private Pilot Certification
Out of Wisconsin
Phoenix TRACON (P50)
The pilot deviation was reported by the Phoenix TRACON when the Cirrus entered the Phoenix Class Airspace without authorization.
CLASS DELTA AIRSPACE DEVIATION (6)
1/15 Entering Class Delta Airspace Without First Establishing Two-Way Radio Communication
Private Pilot Certification
Phoenix Deer Valley (DVT)
A Cessna Cardinal entered DVT's airspace from the southeast and transitioned the entire south half of the airspace westbound, never establishing radio communication and exited the airspace to the southwest. The DVT Supervisor reached out to Luke RAPCON regarding the Cardinal, and Luke advised they would issue the Brasher, and have the Cardinal call DVT when they arrived at their final destination.
1/19 Entering Class Delta Airspace Without First Establishing Two-Way Radio Communication
Private Pilot Certification
Goodyear (GYR)
The Bell Jet Ranger flew through the Goodyear Class Delta Airspace without making radio contact, and another aircraft was given traffic to avoid the violator. The Jet Ranger was tracked on RADAR and appeared to land at Pegasus Airpark (5AZ3). A Brasher was issued by Chandler tower.
1/22 Entering Class Delta Airspace Without First Establishing Two-Way Radio Communication
Private Pilot Certification
Out Of Colorado
Mesa Falcon Field (FFZ)
The pilot deviation was reported by Falcon Field Tower when the Cessna entered the Mesa Falcon Field Class Delta Airspace without first establishing Two-Way Radio Communications.
1/30 Entering Class Delta Airspace Without First Establishing Two-Way Radio Communication
Private Pilot Certification
Mesa Gateway Airport (IWA)
The pilot deviation was reported by IWA when the Cessna entered the Mesa Gateway Class Delta Airspace Without First Establishing Two-way Radio Communications.
2/3 Entering Class Delta Airspace Without First Establishing Two-Way Radio Communication
Private Pilot Certification
Scottsdale Airport (SDL)
The pilot deviation was reported by SDL when the Mooney entered the Scottsdale Class Delta Airspace Without First Establishing Two-way Radio Communications.
2/11 Entering Class Delta Airspace Without First Establishing Two-Way Radio Communication
Private Pilot Certification
Out Of Texas
Scottsdale Airport (SDL)
The pilot deviation was reported by SDL when the Piper Malibu entered the Scottsdale Class Delta Airspace without first establishing Two-Way Radio Communications.
RUNWAY INCURSION (7)
1/11 Entering A Runway Without Authorization
Private Pilot Certification
Phoenix Deer Valley (DVT)
The pilot deviation was reported by DVT when the Cessna crossed the Hold Short Line of the runway without ATC authorization.
1/16 Entering A Runway Without Authorization
Private Pilot Certification
Mesa Falcon Field (FFZ)
The pilot deviation was reported by FFZ when the Cessna crossed the Hold Short Line of the runway without ATC authorization.
1/16 Entering A Runway Without Authorization
Commercial Pilot Certification
Mesa Falcon Field (FFZ)
The Cessna was told by GC to hold short of runway, and a good read-back was obtained. They were told to monitor tower on 124.6, and after the aircraft switched to tower, they rolled past the hold bars for the runway. The ground controller immediately noticed, and notified the Local Controller. A Piper was on a ¼ mile final. The controller gave go-around instructions to the Piper and it went around. A Brasher issued to the Cessna.
1/22 Entering A Runway Without Authorization
Student Pilot Certification
Phoenix Deer Valley (DVT)
The pilot deviation was reported by DVT when the Piper flown by a student solo landed on a runway without an ATC authorization.
1/23 Entering A Runway Without Authorization
ATP Pilot Certification
Out Of Mississippi
Tucson International (TUS)
The pilot deviation was reported by TUS when the Citation crossed the Hold Short Line of the runway without ATC authorization.
1/29 Entering A Runway Without Authorization
Military Pilot
Tucson International (TUS)
The pilot deviation was reported by TUS when the Military F16 entered the runway without ATC authorization. The F16 also entered a RWY/Taxiway without clearance.
1/31 Entering A Runway Without Authorization
Private Pilot Certification
Prescott Airport (PRC)
The pilot deviation was reported by PRC when the Cessna entered the runway without authorization.
FAILURE TO FOLLOW ATC INSTRUCTIONS (5)
1/5 Not Complying With ATC Instructions
Private Pilot Certification
Out Of Oregon
Scottsdale Airport (SDL)
The Cessna was inbound to SDL from the north and was vectored towards SDL airport and told to report the airport insight. The pilot had difficulty seeing the airport and then had communication issues with the BILTMORE controller. The controller ended up vectoring the Cessna to the west and climbing them to 060. After this, the aircraft again could not be reached by the BILTMORE controller. The pilot then ended up on NAVAJO sector controller’s frequency and westbound climbing to 060. The NAVAJO controller vectored the aircraft west and northeast for re-sequence into SDL. Then the NAVAJO controller switched the aircraft back to the BILTMORE controller. The BILTMORE controller vectored the aircraft eastbound for sequence into SDL. The BILTMORE controller then cleared the Cessna for a visual approach into RWY 21 at SDL. Because of traffic, the BILTMORE controller canceled the visual approach into SDL. The pilot then asked to cancel their IFR, because of minimum fuel and they needed to land. The BILTMORE controller then cleared the aircraft for the visual approach RWY 21 at SDL and switched them to the SDL tower. At this point the BILTMORE controller noticed the aircraft turning towards DVT. They told the SDL controller to switch the aircraft back to approach. The aircraft never came back to approach. The aircraft ended up on the DVT tower frequency. DVT received the IFR cancellation from the pilot and the aircraft landed at DVT. DVT also Brashered the pilot.
1/26 Not Complying With ATC Instructions
Commercial Pilot Certification
Out Of Virginia
Phoenix TRACON (P50)
The pilot deviation was reported by the Phoenix TRACON when the Beechcraft climbed above his assigned altitude of 7,000 feet. This resulted in a loss of separation with traffic at 8,000 feet.
1/27 Not Complying With ATC Instructions
Military Pilot
Tucson International (TUS)
The pilot deviation was reported by TUS when 4 - F16’s were assigned to offset to the right for departure traffic, but the F16’s didn’t offset. This resulted in a conflict with departing traffic, and the departure traffic receiving a Resolution Alert (RA).
2/2 Not Complying With ATC Instructions
Commercial Pilot Certification
Phoenix Deer Valley Airport (DVT)
The Bonanza was inbound for RWY 25R, but lined up for 25L, A Piper was on final for RWY 25L, and at approximately a 1/2 mile final the pilot reported they were “cut off on final” by the Bonanza. The controller issued a go around to the Piper, and instructed to off-set to the left, and gave them an early left cross wind. The controller issued a go around for the Bonanza, and instructed to off-set to the right, and advised they appeared to have lined up for the wrong runway. The closest proximity was 0.03 NM and 0 feet vertical.
2/7 Not Complying With ATC Instructions
Unknown Pilot Certification
Out Of California
Phoenix TRACON (P50)
The pilot deviation was reported by the Phoenix TRACON when the Socata Turbo Prop didn’t comply with several instructions to include heading, speed, and altitude assignments.
SPECIAL USE AIRSPACE DEVIATION (1)
1/14 Using Special Use Airspace
Military Pilot
Los Angles Center (ZLA)
The pilot deviation was reported by the Los Angeles Center when a Military F35 “spilled” out of SUA airspace without a clearance, and re-entering ATC delegated airspace, and ascending above assigned altitude without authorization. There was no loss of separation reported.
HOLDING PATTERN DEVIATION (1)
2/8 Holding Pattern
Military Pilot
Tucson TRACON (U90)
The pilot deviation was reported by the Tucson TRACON when the C130 did not enter the Aux-South Holding Pattern as published.