Well it’s summer, and like it or not, it’s hot. Yes, summer is here, and you have to get up really early to go flying to beat the heat. At least one of the small benefits is that the bugs don’t seem to be much of a problem tike they were a few months back. When I fly out for breakfast with friends in the morning, I’ve found that I don’t want to waste any time getting in the air and getting home. While going to breakfast, the air can be quite smooth, but getting home can be another thing. If getting underway is delayed it has the potential for being a bit warm, and very bumpy. Now that we are into the warmer weather, I have to remember to take the “cool back” for my iPad. A few weeks back I forgot it and the iPad shut down because the sun was shining on it and it over-temped. These “cool backs” are a great invention. It’s interesting how we adapt our operation to accommodate the changing weather. It would be interesting to know what unusual things pilots do in the colder climates to accommodate flying in the very cold weather.

Apparently, the FAA reauthorization bill which is being discussed in Congress is focusing on some issues of concern to the general aviation pilot. Specifically, ensuring that GA pilots can park their aircraft at fair and reasonable rates, without being required to pay for FBO services they never asked for or used. Apparently, a bill was introduced that would require federally funded public-use airports that impose fees, to provide fair and reasonable rates for parking transient GA aircraft and prohibit FBO’s from charging pilots for services that they don’t use. I’m certain that those of you who’ve traveled cross-country have experienced sky-high charges for services that you didn’t use or need. This issue is long overdue, so let’s see what finally happens.

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS

FAA

You may recall that the present Acting FAA Administrator Billy Nolan plans to leave the FAA this summer, so as a replacement for Nolan, President Joe Biden has appointed Polly Trottenberg. Ms. Trottenberg has held a high-ranking job in the Transportation Department, and most recently has been a deputy to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. From what I have learned, she does not have an aviation background or experience in aviation issues. Presently the administration is conducting a national search for a nominee to fill the position of FAA Administrator. I hope they find a candidate with an aviation background that can effectively deal with the aviation issues and challenges that the FAA presently faces.

Basic Med has recently been reviewed to answer the question, “has it really worked?” Basic Med went into effect in May 2017 with high hopes. A recent FAA review of the program reveals that some 40,000 pilots have taken advantage of it. But the report also shows that Basic Med hasn’t really revitalized aviation in ways that some had hoped for. While Basic Med may have made it simpler to get your flight medical, it didn’t impact what I think may be the major issue deterring aviation, and that is the ever-increasing cost and complexity of flying.

AIRSPACE

I’m not aware of any airspace changes, FAA regulation changes, or proposals for changes that would impact your flying activities, and I hope this status quo will continue.

While Advisory Circulars (ACs) are not regulatory, they are advisory in nature, and they are important in that they provide guidance to help pilots comply with regulations. Early this last June the FAA just updated AC 90-66C, Non-Towered Airport Flight Operations. This latest revision aims to mitigate midair collisions with new advice on straight-in approach procedures at non-towered airports. To mitigate the risk of a midair collision at a non-towered airport in other than instrument conditions, the FAA does not recommend that the pilot execute a straight-in approach for landing when there are other aircraft in the traffic pattern. The straight-in approach may result in a conflict with aircraft in the traffic pattern, and on base to final. As could be expected, this AC revision was the result of a recent number of midair collisions that had occurred at non-towered airports with the pilot making an extended straight in approach to the active runway.

Because of the density of traffic at some of our non-towered airports in the state the thought has been broached that perhaps we might consider a Remote Tower program for these busy sites if we can’t get a maned tower. The remote tower technology is reaching maturity and is becoming operational in Europe, Asia, and Canada. But unfortunately, in the U.S., one of two remote tower programs is being shut down by the FAA, and the other has received a stop-work order. Apparently, part of the problem has been inadequate visual acuity. I would hope the FAA can get the problems resolved and get the remote tower program in operation.

SAFETY

While the pilot deviations were down this time it should be noted that the reporting period was a week shorter than usual because of FAA SDL FSDO scheduling issues. The next pilot deviation report will therefore be a week longer than usual, and as a result, the number of deviations will also be a bit greater. Once again, I’m not sure what is going on in the cockpit when I see some of the deviations that are happening. At times, pilots seem to forget where they are, or what type of airspace they are about to enter, and what is going to be required of them. I just wish pilots would listen more carefully to ATC instructions, and then adhere to them. If you can’t comply, immediately tell the controller why. When flying in controlled airspace, a pilot shouldn’t get creative, but tell ATC first before you do something that differs from the instructions given. Always know what type of airspace you are flying in and know what the controller may be expecting 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 general aviation safety was not the best because of the number of aircraft accidents and incidents that had been reported, and unfortunately, at the end of the report there is an accident reported that resulted in two fatalities.

For the details of these accidents and incidents see my Accident/Incident Summary Report 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.

In this past reporting period, the FAA did report one Near Mid Air Collision. The incident happened on May 31 near Sky Harbor (PHX) when the pilot of a Piper PA28-181 contacted the tower and advised that they had to take evasive action to avoid a collision with a Beechcraft King Air. At the time of the incident neither aircraft were RADAR identified, and both aircraft were flying VFR.

CONSTRUCTION

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

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.

THINGS TO DO - PLACES TO FLY FOR BREAKFAST:

The fly-in breakfast at Coolidge Municipal Airport (P08) was on the first Saturday of the month, but has ceased until next fall.

On the second Saturday of the month, 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 had a fly-in breakfast on the third weekend of the month, but has ceased until next October.

Grapevine is open full time, but the third Saturday camping and cookouts have ceased until fall. 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. 

When you fly to any of these venues, be sure to look for the Fly Arizona Passport Placard at the restaurant, or at the airport terminal. 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.

Please login to add a comment.