It looks like fall weather is knocking on our door. Thank Goodness. This summer weather was wearing a bit thin, but I guess I should look at the positive side. If we didn’t have these warm summers, we most certainly would be overrun with an excessive number of people. It’s getting bad enough as it is.

Each month an aviation Accident/Incident report is generated to report on aircraft accidents/incidents that have occurred in the preceding month, but last month there was also a report of a UAV incident, an Airbus-Zephyr 8, that was included in the report. Normally we don’t intend to cover UAV incidents, unless they involve our usual aircraft activity, but this was a very unusual incident and an exceptionally unusual UAV.

The Airbus-Zephyr 8 is not your normal UAV. It has a wingspan of approximately 82 feet, a weight of 165 pounds, is powered by two electric motors producing 0.60 HP each, has an airspeed of 30 kts, and it cruses at altitudes of 70,000 feet. It’s powered by solar cells that also charge batteries to operate the aircraft at night. To complete its tasks, its flight duration is measured not in hours, but in weeks, and months. The flight we reported on was operating out of the Yuma U.S. Army proving grounds, and the aircraft had been aloft for 64 days. They were hoping it would surpass a record set in 1959 by two pilots in Las Vegas, who flew a Cessna 172 for 64 days, 22 hours, and 19 minutes. Alas, the flight terminated before the endurance record for an aircraft could be broken when the UAV encountered events that that lead to its unexpected flight termination over the Yuma Proving Grounds. It will be interesting to see if this aircraft will be refurbished, and if it does set a new aircraft endurance record.

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS

FAA

Because of a recent accident in which a noted airshow performer was fatally injured, the FAA FAAST team group is suggesting that pilots be more diligent and perform more detailed preflight checks before taking off, making sure all controls are operating freely and correctly to their full limits. Particularly, if the aircraft has just undergone major maintenance, be sure to conduct an advanced preflight check.

AIRSPACE

Fortunately, there haven’t been any recent airspace issues, changes, or proposed changes that I’m aware of that will impact our flying.

The controllers at Gateway Airport (IWA) are now operating out of their new tower.

SAFETY

In the latest Sectional Chart release, Bishop Field (Mobil) will have Jump Area Symbols added to the charts to call attention to the parachute operations that are occurring at that location.

To ease some of the congestion issues that have been encountered using the instrument procedures for Coolidge Airport (P08), the Arizona Flight Training Workgroup (AFTW) has indicated they will be developing “stack” procedures for Coolidge that are similar to those being used at Casa Grande. 

It’s unfortunate that aviation safety seems to have become a bit worse this reporting period based on information available. There may have been injuries, but most important, there were three accidents that claimed the lives of five people. For a detailed report of all the accidents and incidents that have occurred, see my Accident & Incident Summary report located elsewhere in this newsletter.

Members, please do 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, and type, if anyone got hurt, and with as much detail as possible. Thank You.

The number of pilot deviations are about the same as last month, however, they really should've been a lot lower. It appears that there are still a lot of pilots out there that really don’t seem to know what’s expected of them while flying through the airspace they are in. Pilots need to pick up an Airman’s Information Manual (AIM) and brush up on the “high points.”

The summary of the general aviation deviations committed this reporting period are as follows:

For the details, see my Pilot Deviations Report elsewhere in this newsletter.

CONSTRUCTION

Flagstaff has stated they are planning on closing down their runway for repaving; however, they haven’t determined the date yet for the process.

Chandler has ramp paving projects in process, so get NOTAMS and use caution in taxiing.

Many of the airports around the state have repair/construction projects under way; however, we don’t have the latest status on all these projects, so always check for NOTAMs at your destination airport to determine what may be happening. Always be cautious and always fly informed.

APA works with many airports around the state assisting with the updating of their Airport Master Plans by providing the pilot and aircraft owners’ perspective in the process.

THINGS TO DO - PLACES TO FLY FOR BREAKFAST:

The fly-in breakfast at Coolidge Municipal Airport (P08) has restarted and is on the first Saturday of the month,.

On the second Saturday consider flying down to Ryan Field (RYN) near Tucson for breakfast or lunch at Ritchie’s Restaurant. They are open from 6 am to 2 pm to serve you.

The Falcon Field Warbirds Squadron fly-in breakfast has also restarted. It’s on the third weekend of the month (Oct 15).

Grapevine is open full time, but the third Saturday of each month is a special time for a group camp dinner on Saturday evening. Come and camp for the weekend! The camp host will prepare the main course, 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.

On the last Saturday of the month a fly-in breakfast is continuing to be put on by the Casa Grande Masonic Lodge in the air-conditioned Terminal of the Casa Grande Airport. Apparently, the upgrading of the lunch area has yet to meet inspection requirements. Hopefully, it won’t be too long before it can come online.

Check with the APA Getaway Flights program and online calendar for fun weekend places to fly.

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