Well, it appears that we might be finally getting into the fall weather, and the 110 plus days are behind us. Flying out for breakfast on Saturday morning the temps are getting good until about noon, and the flying has been great. This is what we have been waiting for, for a long time. It seems that as the season for flying is slowly waking up from its summer nap, many aviation events and fly-ins are beginning to show up on the calendar. It’s about time, and I’m looking forward to it!

It’s too bad that many people had to see the end of summer arrive with a very damaging rain/windstorm on the night of September 12th at one of the busiest airports in the state, Mesa Falcon Field. One of the city employees said it was a 1,000 year storm based on the rainfall and wind damage. One of the estimates I saw cited wind damage to 97 hangars with 42 of them having the doors blown off. The major flight school on the field had 20 aircraft damaged with 6 of them totaled, and the estimate may go up. A small flight school lost all 3 of their aircraft with all of them winding up in one big tangle of bent aluminum. Many aircraft tied down got wind damage or got hit with flying debris. Numerous buildings/hangars sustained significant damage. Unfortunately, I’m also hangered there, but like several others, we escaped unscathed. The next day the city had the taxiways cleared for business, and flying was able continue as usual. I’m certain the insurance companies sure took a major hit from the event. 

Several days before preparing this report I became aware that late this spring a small Cessna airplane encountered what was suspected to be a drone strike. The event occurred in the northeast portion of the Phoenix valley at about 5,500 ft. MSL, and it was first thought to be a bird strike, but upon later examination on the ground, no evidence of bird remains could be found. Based on damage to the airplane, and to the relatively new propeller, there were indications that the prop had contacted a hard object. When the prop was taken to a propeller repair facility for repair, based on the type of damage, the company expressed the opinion that the prop/airplane had hit a drone. 

Unfortunately, the regulations are not very explicit on what course of action you should take in this case, but if you have an airborne encounter with a drone, based on information we have been able to obtain, do the following:

Make certain the airplane can be safely flown, then note where the incident occurred, and land. Contact the SDL FSDO and specifically request to speak with an FAA Safety Inspector. File a NASA Report of the incident.

Don’t bother with an NTSB report unless there is Structural Damage to the airplane or there is a very serious injury.

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS

FAA

We are still waiting for Mr. Mike Whitaker to be confirmed by the Senate as our Next FAA Administrator. Mr. Whitaker was second in command of the FAA under Michael Huerta and was focused on the modernization of the air traffic control system. 

Mr. David Boulter, a long-time FAA official and pilot, has been appointed to serve as the FAA’s associate administrator for aviation safety. Mr. Boulter is well qualified to make flying, the world’s safest form of travel, even safer.

AIRSPACE

Fortunately, I’m not aware of any airspace changes, FAA regulation changes, or proposals for changes that could negatively impact our flying activities. I certainly hope this status quo will continue. 

I’m certain that all have seen in the papers that the President has been in the state along with his VIP TFR. We are entering an election year and unfortunately, we may be seeing more of these TFRs in the future. Be aware that these TFRs are administered by the Secret Service, NOT the FAA. This last VIP TFR had a KC135 tanker in a pattern over Phoenix keeping the USAF Fighters refueled that were enforcing the TFR. These type of TFR’s are indeed serious and need to be avoided at all costs.

SAFETY

Pilot deviations were back up again this month. It continues to be amazing to see some of the things that pilots will do when flying. Apparently, often they aren’t really aware of what type of airspace they are flying in or may be about to enter, and what’s going to be required of them. Pilots need to listen more carefully to ATC instructions and follow them. If you can’t comply, immediately tell the controller why you can’t comply. When flying in controlled airspace, a pilot should never 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. Pay attention to airport signs and runway markings, know what they mean, and comply with them. Always fly with forethought and be careful.

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.

This past month general aviation safety was really bad because of the very large number of accidents and incidents. Fortunately, most of the accidents didn’t involve serious injuries, 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.

It was good to note that in this past reporting period the FAA did not report any Near Mid-Air Collisions. 

CONSTRUCTION

Many of the airports around the state have numerous construction projects underway, or they are at least well into the planning stage. Unfortunately, we don’t have specific details on all these projects, but as the summer winds down we 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 Eloy Municipal Airport is starting their Master Plan update process, and the Payson airport is wrapping up their Master Plan update.

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, and they started their breakfasts on October.

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 have had a fly-in breakfast on the third weekend of the month, and it was restarting in October. HOWEVER, due to the recent storm damage at FFZ, the October breakfast is canceled, and it is presently undetermined when they will be able to restart their breakfasts. We will advise when we have better information.

Grapevine is open full time, but the third Saturday camping and cookouts are starting in October. 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.

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.

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