The report may be a bit short this month because it’s being written in the evening at the annual EAA AirVenture Fly In at Oshkosh. A lot is happening, and there is a lot to see. Not only that, but this year it’s a bit hot, and these first days have been a bit smokey because of the forest fires in Canada. I pity those that have flown in, and there are a lot of them, because the visibility has been quite limited because of the smoke.
It has been good to see old friends again, and I have been surprised to discover the number of friends that I have run into that are from the Phoenix area. After only a couple of days tromping around, I’ve discovered that I must get better prepared next year and spend at least a couple of weeks or more getting in shape for all this walking. I am really super beat! If you have never been here before, I would strongly suggest planning ahead and coming. If you wanted to see a bit of everything, it would really take almost a week, and it’s truly an international event. I’ve run into, and visited with people from England, Australia, and New Zealand, and have heard group discussions in a language I have no idea what it was. It’s a great event. See you here sometime.
MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS
FAA
At the EAA AirVenture it was announced that just a few weeks ago the FAA issued a notice of the release of a Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) for the long awaited, and anticipated, Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certification (MOSAIC) proposal for aircraft certification. When the NPRM is published in the Federal Register, it will be open for comment for 90 days. After 90 days, all the comments received will be examined, and possible adjustments to the rule will be made, and the final rule will be published. In brief, the MOSAIC rule would re-adjust many of the regulations on Light Sport Aircraft. This would include the replacement of the present weight limit with a more flexible limit based on stall speed and would be in compliance with an FAA plan to arrive at an airplane that would be easy to fly and that would weigh less than approximately 3,000 pounds. Some of the other parameters that will also be changing, such as the new “clean” stall speed (Vs1) will be 54 kts calibrated airspeed, and a maximum level airspeed (VH) of 250 kts, and a seating capacity of 4 occupants only. (A light sport pilot will still only be able to fly with 2 of the seats occupied.) Under the proposed rule, the light sport pilot may be able to fly aircraft that have a retractable landing gear, a constant speed propeller, and a complex aircraft with an appropriate endorsement. There is much more in the proposal that needs to be examined, and it is suggested that the proposal be studied and comments be submitted before the comment period ends. This is a monumental change in the regulations, so it is important that you review the proposal and submit comments.
At the EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh the usual “Meet the Administrator” meeting was canceled, and in its place was a meeting to have the various department heads present what they are doing and answer questions. The present temporary director has only been in the position such a short time, and it wouldn’t have been appropriate to have her comment. Mr. Mike Whitaker has been nominated for the position of FAA Administrator and is yet to be confirmed.
Mr. Whitaker was second in command of the FAA under Michael Huerta from 2013 to 2016 and focused on the modernization of the air traffic control system. He is a lawyer and reportedly obtained his pilot’s license while he was working for the FAA.
AIRSPACE
I’m not aware of any airspace changes or FAA regulation changes, or proposals for changes, that could negatively impact your flying activities, and I hope this status quo will continue.
SAFETY
It would appear that pilot deviations were up this month to a level that they have been in other times. Once again, I’m positively amazed with 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 you can’t comply. 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:
| 5 IFR Deviations | 3 Brashers | |
| 2 Class Bravo Deviations | 1 Brasher | |
| 3 Class Delta Airspace Deviations | No Brashers | |
| 5 Runway Incursions | 2 Brashers | |
| 3 TFR Deviations | 2 Brashers | |
| 1 Movement Area Deviation | 1 Brasher |
For the details of these deviations see my Pilot Deviations Report located elsewhere in this newsletter.
This past month general aviation safety has not been too bad. The number of accidents and incidents were down, the severity of the accidents were down, and most importantly there were no reports of 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.
This past reporting period the FAA reported one Near Mid Air Collision. The incident happened on June 2 at Tucson International Airport (TUS) when a flight of four F16s conflicted with a Cessna 182 on a downwind to RWY 11L at Tucson.
CONSTRUCTION
It’s summer, and many of the airports around the state are involved with having numerous construction projects underway, or at least well into the planning stage. Unfortunately, we don’t have any specific details on all these projects, but we certainly suggest that you always check for NOTAMS at your destination airport so you don’t have a big 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. Presently Payson airport has their Master Plan update in progress, and we will be attending one of their planning meetings later this month.
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 they have 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 it has ceased until October.
Grapevine is open full time, and the third Saturday camping and cookouts will resume on October 13-15. 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 in our FlyAZ Passport app 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.