It looks like spring has to be just around the corner. I flew out to breakfast the other day, and when I got home my airplane was almost over gross weight with all the bugs that I had encountered on my flight. I certainly don’t think I flew that low to do it. With that many bugs, spring certainly must be just about here. I’ll have to get used to giving the airplane a de-bugging each time I fly, something I really didn’t have to do this past winter. It’s really a safety issue, because when the controller calls out traffic at XX o’clock and one mile, I have to really look hard to see if the spot is moving, or is it just a bug on my windshield. At that distance it’s almost impossible to see something anyhow. Sometimes I think the controllers are a bit optimistic in their traffic call outs.

I hope some of you made it out to the Cactus Fly In and Car Show at the Casa Grande Airport in early March. While it was only a one-day event (Saturday), it appeared to be well attended. It was good to see old friends again and have a chance to visit with many of you. There are plans already being made for next year to have it on March 2-3, 2024.

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS

FAA

This may be old news for some of you, but President Joe Biden's choice to run the Federal Aviation Administration has withdrawn his nomination for the position. The nominee, Mr. Phillip Washington, stated several reasons for the removal of his name as a Nominee. APA had submitted a letter to the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation in opposition to Mr. Washingtons nomination based on his lack of any experience in dealing with the type and magnitude of issues the FAA is currently facing. We believe there are far better qualified candidates out there, including the present Acting Administrator.

AIRSPACE

I am unaware of any present or upcoming airspace issues that would have any negative impact on your flying activity. I hope that it remains this way for a while.

SAFETY

The number of pilot deviations that were recorded this past reporting period have gone down significantly, and I have no explanation for why. I wish pilots would listen more carefully to ATC instructions and adhere to them. If you can’t comply, immediately tell them why you can’t comply. When flying in controlled airspace, pilots shouldn’t be creative, but tell ATC first before they do something that differs from the instructions given. Always be aware of what type of airspace you are flying in, or what you may be about to enter, and always know what is going to be expected of you. Always fly with care and forethought, and don’t commit a deviation.

In summary, the general aviation deviations this reporting period are:

For the details of these deviations see my Pilot Deviations Report located elsewhere in this newsletter.

In this past reporting period aviation safety has not been as good as we would have liked because the number of aircraft accidents and incidents was a bit high. While the accident numbers were high, there is a positive side to the report because none of the accidents resulted in a fatality, and there were only two minor injuries.

In the February/March report from the FAA they did not report any Near Mid Air Collisions (NMAC’s), however, after the FAA report had been issued there was an Incident at Mesa Falcon Field where two airplanes in a three ship formation did “brush” wings, and one of the airplanes crashed during its landing, injuring the pilot. 

For details of these accidents and incidents see my Accident/Incident Summary Report also located elsewhere in this 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, and type, if anyone got hurt, and with as much detail as possible. Thank You.

CONSTRUCTION

It seems like most of the airports around the state are having construction or repair projects underway. Unfortunately, we don’t have any specific details of any one of the projects, but we would certainly suggest that you always check for NOTAMS at your destination airport, so you don’t have an unpleasant surprise when you arrive.

For those who may want to fly into Pinal Airpark (MZJ), be aware they have a NOTAM that is scheduled to expire on June 30, 2023, that states their single runway is closed to all general aviation (GA) activity. Although the scheduled end of the NOTAM is June 30, weather delays in construction could push this date a bit further out. Per the information we have received, the runway is being upgraded in sections of about one third of the runway at a time. There are limited operations that will be continuing such as the contract parachute operations. Until the runway upgrade is completed, no general aviation activity will be permitted.

Phoenix Deer Valley Airport (DVT) is still considering an extension of the north runway. Unfortunately, we still don’t have a date when this may occur, but when it occurs you can certainly expect there will be delays to takeoff. It will be a challenging time for everyone.

APA is always working with airports around the state assisting with the updating of their Airport Master Plans by providing the pilot and aircraft owner’s perspective in the process. At the present time Payson Airport has their Airport Master Plan Update in process.

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

The Falcon Field Warbirds Squadron fly-in breakfast is on the third weekend of the month.

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.

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.

When you fly to any of these venues, be sure to look for the Fly Arizona Passport Placard at the restaurant, and at the airport terminal, and scan the placard with your smart phone 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.

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