As I’m writing this, it’s still a bit warm out by midday, but the early mornings are great. They are promising that by November we should be enjoying “cool” normal middays. We shall see. I still have a hard time getting my head around the fact that as we are starting to enjoy good flying weather, our cousins in the northern part of the country are now starting to think about wrapping things up for the season. Because it’s so nice out, let’s just go flying. I’ll be seeing you at some of the Saturday morning fly in breakfasts.
The USAF at Davis-Monthan has extended the comment period to November 12, 2024, regarding their Environmental Impact Statement for Special Use Airspace Optimization in Arizona. As a general minimum, this proposal will involve the very significant lowering of the MOA floors, dropping of flares at lower altitudes, and supersonic flight at lower altitudes in the MOAs. Comments from our flying community are important and need to be heard. There is already a possibility of legal action over these changes, and it will be interesting to see how it finally ends.
The issue of landing fees being implemented by some of our airports based on information being received via ADS-B is continuing to heat up. APA will be contacting some of our state legislators in an attempt to stop the problem. See our President’s Report for more details.
We strongly recommend that everyone take an interest in what is happening at your airport and offer to provide assistance when necessary. If anyone is aware of a landing fee being considered for their airport, please advise APA immediately.
MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS
FAA
There hasn’t been anything new from the FAA regarding proposed regulatory changes that would impact your flying activities. APA is always on the alert for any changes that may occur and will keep you informed.
Unfortunately, we did see a clarification of the present maintenance rules that could impact the cost and availability of annual inspection of your certificated airplane. What has been standard maintenance practice for the past 60 years is being changed by the FAA’s new legal interpretation of 14 CFR Part 43.3(d), which changes the FAA’s view of standard maintenance supervision. Under this new Moss interpretation, apparently the A&P with an IA certification will have to be present and personally supervise work being done by an uncertified person on the aircraft before signing off the inspection in the logbook. This new interpretation by the FAA will likely eliminate the owner-assisted maintenance/inspection at most FBOs. UPDATE: Due to industry backlash, the FAA issued a stay to this new order on October 15, 2024. The legal battle is just warming up and more details will be forthcoming.
AIRSPACE
We are all aware of the significant increase in parachute activity throughout the state, and I hope you have been extra vigilant when flying near airports with parachute operations. Be advised that the Royal Air Force will be sending teams here in late November/very early December for advanced training. This will be in addition to the present advanced tactical training of other foreign personnel, and it may be occurring at any of the parachute sites throughout the state, including El Tiro Glider Port (AZ67). Please be aware that some of these activities could be high altitude jumping with a high-altitude parachute opening which could result in the parachutists descending through airspace removed from the final landing site. Always be sure to check for NOTAMS for your proposed route of flight, and monitor enroute facility frequencies for parachute activity.
SAFETY
There was no improvement in aviation safety in this past reporting period because the number of accidents/incidents has gone up a bit, thankfully without any fatalities. Let’s be extra-vigilant in our flying and reduce the number of occurrences again.
For the details of these accidents/incidents in this past September-October reporting period, 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, if anyone got hurt, and with as much detail as possible. Thank you.
Unfortunately, in this past reporting period there was a Near Mid Air Collision (NMAC) noted by the FAA. A Piper passed within 400 feet of a NOTAMed Cessna that was dropping skydivers. PAY ATTENTION TO NOTAMS AND WATCH FOR OTHER AIRCRAFT IN YOUR AREA!
Fortunately, the number of pilot deviations were down slightly this last reporting period. These deviations were committed by pilots with certificates ranging from Student Pilot through ATP, and apparently there was an out of state pilot and a foreign pilot that committed some of the deviations. Some of the deviations were serious enough to warrant the issuance of a Brasher notice to the pilot. In so many of the cases it’s apparent the pilot was unaware of what type of airspace they were flying in or were about to enter. Pilots always need to listen carefully to ATC instructions, and follow them, and if they can’t comply, immediately tell the controller why they can’t comply. When flying in controlled airspace, pilots must always comply with ATC instructions, and always advise ATC first before you do anything that may differ from the instructions given. When on the ground, pay attention to all airport signs and runway markings, know what they mean, and comply with them.
In summary, the general aviation deviations in this reporting period are:
2 IFR Deviations No Brashers
1 Class Bravo Deviation No Brasher
1 Class Charlie Deviation No Brasher
1 Class Delta Deviation No Brasher
2 Runway Incursions 1 Brasher
2 Air Traffic Instructions 1 Brasher
1 Surface Incident No Brasher
1 Vehicle Deviation No Brasher
For all the details of these deviations, see my Pilot Deviations Report located in this newsletter.
CONSTRUCTION
Apparently, Mesa Falcon Field (FFZ) has completed their numerous taxiway projects, and is getting back to normal. Gateway Airport (IWA) will soon be undertaking several construction projects which will require the closing of one of their three runways from time to time. Phoenix Deer Valley Airport will be starting a large hangar construction project that will require a major change in taxi routing. Be sure to get NOTAMS before your arrival. Other airports around the state have numerous construction projects in progress, or projects starting soon. As we don’t have the specific details on every project, we urge you to always check for NOTAMS at your destination airport and avoid unexpected surprises.
APA is 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. The Airport Master Plan Update process usually requires about a year for completion.
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, starting in November.
At the insistence of FFZ, the Aviation Explorer Post 352 will have a fly-in breakfast on the first Saturday of the month near their hangar. Look for the signs.
On the second Saturday of the month, take a jaunt 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.
Grapevine is open full time, and generally the third Saturday weekend camping and cookouts have restarted. Check the newsletter for a possible weekend change. The camp host will prepare the main course for dinner, 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 will be put on by the Runway 5 Cafe, a new cafe that just started business in the Casa Grande Airport terminal building. Runway 5 Cafe is open for business Tuesday through Saturday from 7:00 am to 2:00 pm. On the last Saturday in October, they held a Grand Opening event with very good special breakfast selections and fast service. We wish them well for the future, and it will be interesting to see how they develop in the coming year.
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. 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.